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Castle Veliki Tabor is situated on a hill (334m) and it is the best kept medieval fortress in the whole country. The castle boasts with an active tourist programme, such as an international fencing tournament (28th June) and there is also an international film festival Tabor in July that started in 2003, as well as falconing in August. All these activates should be followed by leisure activities; the castle boasts with a wine-cellar that holds barrels ranging from 53 litres to 5450 litres, a rustic bar, wine storage and an ancient wine press. The locals like to brag about their wine so be sure to try it. The castle is under protection as one of cultural monuments of the highest category. You must have heard about Croatian literature’s long tradition; it developed arm in arm with its European counterparts. So it is not surprising that one of the most famous Croatian authors of the 19th century searched for his inspiration in beauties of another castle, Gjalski Castle. Ljubo Babić, or his pseudonym Ksaver Šandor Gjalski inherited with his family the castle that was originally in the hands of the Komanory family. The most distinguished representative of that family was Sigismund, a royal advisor. Every year there are numerous happening in the castle, all related to the Middle Ages and knights, but also literary events. The castle can be rented for weddings and similar events so that guests can experience a dash of 19th century castle. Another writer made an impression in one castle. Antun Mihanović was a famous writer who wrote the text of Croatian national anthem in the castle who was later named after him; Mihanović Castle. The castle is located in the Tuhelj District that is famous for its thermal spa Tuheljske toplice. If you end up in Varaždin County be sure to visit Maruševac Castle. His gardens are especially lovely and posses a number of exotic plants and trees (Algerian fir tree, ginkgo tree, Bottlebrush buckeye, Caucasian walnut and others). With this little titbit we’ll conclude our story about castles, not because we don’t have anything else to say but because we would sooner CROATIA AT A GLANCE
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