Erdödy Castle in Jastrebarsko

Erdödy Castle is the oldest surviving building in Jastrebarsko, a small town in Zagreb County, and it stands today at the heart of a historic park that has become the town's main attraction.

Who built Erdödy Castle?

The castle was raised by Matija Gereb between 1483 and 1489 as a so-called water castle, a fortified residence ringed by a moat. The moat has long since been filled in and covered with grass, though its outline is still visible in the landscape around the building. In the early 16th century the estate passed to the Erdödy family, who held it continuously until 1922 — the source of the castle's present name.

What happened to the castle under the Erdödy family?

Rectangular in plan and reinforced with two round towers, the castle served as one of the region's defensive strongholds during the Ottoman incursions. A plaque set to the left of the entrance dates from 1592 and was commissioned by Ban Toma Erdödy. Among the family's later members, Count Stjepan Erdödy stood out as a passionate naturalist and hunter who founded a natural history museum inside the castle. On his travels across Europe, Asia and Africa he collected seeds of exotic plants, which he used to reforest the surrounding grounds — today recognized as a horticultural monument.

After the Erdödy line gave up the estate, it was bought by the businessman Ehrman. Following his bankruptcy in 1936, the municipality acquired the property and turned it into a children's home. A grim chapter followed in the summer of 1942, when authorities of the wartime Independent State of Croatia used the castle as a concentration camp for Serb children.

What can visitors see today?

The castle has been fully restored, but its interior is closed to the public — the real draw is the park that surrounds it. A stream called Reka runs through the grounds alongside a pond known simply as Park, with the castle building itself remaining the most valuable "exhibit" of the whole estate. Facing the palace stands an old granary, now restored and fronted by a green courtyard, which visitors can walk through. Lanterns line the two main promenades, making the park a popular spot for evening walks among its old trees, and the grounds today also host sports activities, recreation and heritage-related events.

Anyone curious about the Erdödy family and the castle's past should visit the town museum and gallery in Jastrebarsko, which holds a collection of items connected to the noble family and their estate.

How do you get to the castle?

Jastrebarsko lies in Zagreb County, in central Croatia, making it an easy stop for anyone exploring the wider Zagreb area. The castle sits right in the town center, surrounded by a park that is free and open to walk through.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons, when the trees the Count once brought back from his travels are in full leaf and the lit promenades make for especially pleasant evening walks. A visit pairs well with a stop at the restored granary and the town museum.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Erdödy Castle? No — the building has been fully restored, but its interior is not open to visitors. The surrounding park and the restored granary opposite the palace can both be visited freely.

Who built the castle, and when? It was built between 1483 and 1489 by Matija Gereb. From the early 16th century until 1922 it belonged to the Erdödy family.

What is there to see in the park? The park, protected as a horticultural monument, contains the Reka stream and a pond called Park, along with exotic trees brought back by Count Stjepan Erdödy and lantern-lit promenades.

Where can I learn more about the Erdödy family? The town museum and gallery in Jastrebarsko houses a collection of items related to the castle and its former noble owners.