Pejačević Castle in Virovitica

Pejačević Castle is a late-baroque, neoclassical manor standing right in the heart of Virovitica, a town in northern Slavonia, Croatia. Built on the site of an older medieval fortress, the residence has become one of the town's defining landmarks and today houses the Virovitica City Museum.

Where did the castle come from?

The Virovitica estate was granted to the Pejačević counts by Empress Maria Theresa in 1750. The manor itself came later: construction began around 1800 and was completed in 1804 under Count Antun Pejačević. The Pejačević family held several residences across Slavonia at the time, and the Virovitica manor was among the more significant ones.

The property changed hands in the mid-19th century, when debts forced the family to sell it to the German princely house of Schaumburg-Lippe, who owned it for several decades. The town of Virovitica finally purchased the castle in 1930 and restored it. Since 1953 the building has served as a museum, and in 1969 it was declared a category I cultural monument — the highest level of heritage protection in Croatia.

What does the castle look like today?

The building follows a late-baroque and neoclassical style typical of noble residences in the region. Between 2016 and 2019 the castle underwent a thorough renovation: the original pink facade was restored, every interior room was refurbished, and the surrounding park was redesigned. The result is a building that today looks close to how it appeared more than two centuries ago.

What will you see inside?

Inside, the Virovitica City Museum runs a permanent exhibition called "Wooden Age" (Drveno doba), which traces the role of wood in the region's history and everyday life and introduces visitors to the Mikeši, a local community tied to Virovitica. The exhibition combines multimedia elements — animations, games, film screenings, and music — across more than 1,500 exhibits. The museum complex also includes a souvenir shop shaped like a tree, a small multimedia hall, and a café/restaurant area.

How do you get to Pejačević Castle?

The castle sits right in the center of Virovitica, so it's easy to reach on foot from anywhere in town. Virovitica lies in northern Slavonia, a region known for its farmland and proximity to the Hungarian border. The town has good road connections to Zagreb and to other centers in the Virovitica-Podravina area, making it a convenient stop when exploring this part of Croatia.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the main attraction is the museum's indoor, multimedia exhibition, the castle can be visited comfortably any time of year. The park surrounding the building looks its best in spring and summer, when the greenery is in full bloom and sets off the pink facade of the residence.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the castle? Count Antun Pejačević, a member of the powerful Pejačević noble family that owned several residences across Slavonia, completed the manor in 1804.

What is inside the castle today? Since 1953 the building has housed the Virovitica City Museum, whose permanent exhibition "Wooden Age" covers the region's history and the role of wood in local life.

Has the castle been restored recently? Yes. A major renovation between 2016 and 2019 restored the original pink facade, refurbished all interior rooms, and redesigned the surrounding park.

Is the castle a protected monument? Yes, it has been protected as a category I cultural monument since 1969, the highest level of heritage protection in Croatia.