Trakošćan — The Cursed Portrait's Secret

Your quest begins in front of the imposing Dvor Trakošćan, a 13th-century medieval Croatian fortification, originally built as an observation fortress to monitor the road from Ptuj to the Bednja valley. It is here, in this 13th-century medieval castle, that Juraj IV Drašković and his wife Sofija, née Baillet-Latour, undertook a major reconstruction between 1853 and 1856. They transformed this austere fortress into a sumptuous romantic residence. The first puzzles immerse you in the details of this 19th-century romantic architecture, including the north tower added above the entrance and the vaulted southwest terrace.

Continuing your exploration of Dvor Trakošćan, you access the collections of paintings, furniture, and historical weapons that bear witness to noble life through the centuries. Clues lead you through the rooms housing these treasures, inviting you to decipher symbols and hidden messages in the artworks. The Trakošćan museum is a key element of your journey, where each object can reveal a part of the secret of the cursed portrait, linked to the history of the Drašković family, influential owners of the castle.

Upon exiting the castle, the Park dvorca Trakošćan unfolds before you. Designed according to Franz Risig's plan in the early 19th century, this historic English park embodies the spirit of romantic gardens. You follow the 1.5 km path, observing the transformation of the valley into a large artificial lake. The park is considered an important factor in the regional cultural heritage of Zagorje, and your goal is to find clues in the arrangement of the paths and groves, designed to conceal and reveal perspectives on the castle and the artificial Zagorje lake.

Your path then leads you to Trakošćansko jezero, Lake Trakošćan, created by the construction of a dam in the 19th century, contemporary with the castle's restoration by the Drašković family. This lake is a key element of the romantic park, reflecting the nobility's desire for a return to nature at the time. You walk along its shores, where clues are hidden in the landscape, revealing the intentions of Juraj IV and Sofija Drašković. The walking trails around the lake are accessible from the main entrance of the estate, offering you views of the historical monument of Northern Croatia from new angles.

Finally, your journey takes you to Kapela sv. Križa and Mauzolej obitelji Drašković, both located within the Trakošćan estate. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, a private chapel of the Drašković family, and the mausoleum, a funeral monument to this noble family, are testaments to their historical importance in the Zagorje region. By solving the final puzzles, you decipher the secret of the cursed portrait, which links the history of the Drašković family to the legacy of this magnificent estate, a true emblem of Zagorje's cultural heritage.