Veliki Tabor Castle

About the Museum

Veliki Tabor Castle is located near Desinić. Its name derives from the word tabor, meaning a military camp or fortified encampment established for defence against the Ottoman incursions. Veliki Tabor is one of the best-preserved late medieval and Renaissance fortified castles in continental Croatia.

The castle was owned by the noble Rattkay family from the 16th century until 1793. The oldest part of the complex is the central fort, which served both residential and defensive purposes. Four semicircular towers were added in the 16th century, while rooms along the northern wall were added in the 17th century.

Among the later owners was the renowned Croatian painter Oton Iveković, who depicted the castle and the picturesque surrounding landscape in numerous works. In the early 1990s, the castle was entrusted by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia to the Museums of the Croatian Zagorje for management and use.

The first known mention of Veliki Tabor dates to 1502, in a charter issued by Ivaniš Korvin, in which he granted castellum nostrum Thabor to Pavao Ratkaj in recognition of his merits in the battles against the Ottomans. Archaeological research has confirmed that the oldest parts of the castle date from the 15th century.

Extensive conservation, restoration and construction works have been carried out since 2004. Today, Veliki Tabor is one of the best-preserved and most comprehensively presented medieval castles in Croatia.

General Information

Address:
Dvor Veliki Tabor
Košnički Hum 1
49216 Desinić

Phone: +385 (0) 49 374 970
E-mail: dvt@mhz.hr
Website: veliki-tabor.hr

Head of the organizational unit:
Paul Lekaj, Curator

Contact

Switchboard: +385 (0) 49 374 970
Reservations: +385 (0) 49 374 970
Souvenir shop: +385 (0) 49 374 973
Head of the organizational unit: +385 (0) 49 374 972

Staff of Veliki Tabor Castle

Head of the organizational unit, Veliki Tabor Castle
Paul Lekaj, Master of History and University Bachelor of Philosophy, Curator

Nadica Jagarčec, Master of History and Master of Russian Philology, Museum Advisor
Renata Dečman, Master of History, Senior Curator
Siniša Žnidarec, Senior Museum Technician
Nives Ćurković, Senior Museum Technician
Andrea Brlobuš, Senior Conservation Technician
Vilma Kuhar, Clerk
Ljiljana Ivić, Housekeeper
Nenad Zubak, Operator