New Face of an Old Burg

Veliki Tabor, one of the best preserved late medieval burgs in continental Croatia, has reopened its doors to visitors to show off its oldest, central part which has undergone a 7-month reconstruction project.

After the reconstruction of the pentagonal bastion, Veliki Tabor is again open to visitors. The bastion is the central part and the oldest part of one of the best preserved late medieval fortified burgs in central Croatia. The reconstruction works lasted for 7 months. Archeological excavations undertaken in the course of last year and this year within the burg’s walls, as well as beyond them, have revealed unique remains of renaissance fireplace bricks. They will be shown to the public in an exhibition entitled 'Veliki Tabor in the Light of Discovery' which will be a permanent exhibition at the burg.

Veliki Tabor is located in the northwestern part of the Croatian Zagorje region, in the Desinić municipality. As it is close to Zagreb, it is often a one day excursion for visitors of the Croatian capital. It is a grade zero listed monument which was constructed at the time of Turkish onslaughts in the second half of the 15th century. The name Tabor (war camp) was first mentioned in 1497. As of the year 1511, two 'tabors' were mentioned: Veliki /big/ near Borovac and Mali /little/ near Klenovac. The first time any historical document referred to Veliki Tabor was in 1513. Between the end of the 14th century and the mid 15th century, its owners were the Counts of Celje. The legend of Veronika of Desinić and an unhappy love between the beautiful village girl and the son of the powerful ban /prince/ of Croatia, Count Herman of Celje, dates from that time. In 1502, the noble Ratkay family became the owners of Veliki Tabor.

The burg is perched on top of a hill from which a magnificent view extends across the surrounding area. In addition to having the main bastion, which is its central and oldest part, the burg was subsequently extended and walled in. Today, it is an interesting tourist destination and the stage of a host of cultural events. Every year it hosts a very attractive event entitled 'A medieval tabor under the Tabor'. A military camp is set up, there are competitions in various medieval skills, and an arts and crafts fair is organized to display and offer different crafts and authentic culinary delicacies prepared according to old recipes.