Čakovec - the city of Zrinski and Frankopan

In the center of the city is located Čakovec old fortress city, symbol of the city long time ago and today. The owners of the fortress for many centuries were also the masters of the whole estate Međimurje.

History and culture

 The fortress was originally built in the Middle Ages for  Ernušt family, and then repeatedly reconstructed form Zrinski family, who have left and the most important stamp of history and heritage Čakovec. At the time of the family Zrinski in the 16th century center part was transformed into a renaissance palace, which was erected around the circuit built brick walls. The walls were never completed, and over time were partly upgraded and partly destroyed. The palace, called New Palace, suffered a major renovation around the 1743rd for the Austrian-Czech family counts Althan-Pignatelli, when it assumed the current Baroque appearance. Althanov castle, the work of architect Anton Erhard Martinellija, considered to be one of the largest and most important Baroque monuments in Croatia. On the wall is also built the baroque tower, which today makes a distinctive silhouette of Čakovec. Today in the Old Town is located Museum of Međimurje Čakovec.

In Roman times, as Strabon writes and reports in the 1st century to the present site was Cakovec Aquama (wet city), military stations and legionary camp. The town's name comes from the count Dimitriusa Chakyja, which in the early 13th century built a wooden fortress later called "Čakov tower".

It was first mentioned in the 1328th year. The settlement appears in the official records 1333rd. From 1350th to 1397th Čakovec is owned by a family Lacković. Time of significant economic and cultural growth Čakovec began on 15 ožujka 1547th, when Nikola Šubić Zrinski of Siget became the owner of the area. At that time, the castle was lavishly decorated, surrounded by a park with sculptures of famous military leader and ruler. Count George IV. Zrinski gave privileges to residents of the fort and the surrounding villages 29th svibnja 1579th, which was beginning to turn Čakovec in free trading. That date is celebrated as the Day of the city. During the 18th century he region is in the possession of the Austro-Czech family Althan, who reside in Čakovec and significantly upgrading the Old Town.

In 1738th the town was destroyed by an earthquake, and in the 1741st by fire. Another earthquake shook the city in 1880th. Late 18th century became the owners of the count family Feštetić and the city is transformed into a large estate on which the developed industry, crafts and trade. 1848th Ban Josip Jelačić freed Čakovec of Hungarians and annexed by Croatia, and 1893rd the city for the first time was introduced to electricity. Since 1941. until 1945. the city was under Hungarian occupation and was liberated by the Soviet Red Army in 1945th. 

Another important historical monument Čakovec is the Franciscan church and a Franciscan monastery in the square. The monastery was built on the site of an earlier wooden monastery founded by Nicholas Zrinski. The present monastery was built gradually between 1702nd and 1750th year. Church of St. Nicholas (1707.-1728.) in the interior have a baroque inventory, and from the outside representatively is decorated with facade of so called Pauline type, which is decorated with statues of saints. The bell tower dates from the mid-18 century (1753.-1757.) and is also in the Baroque style. 

In the center of Čakovec is Francisc Square, Republic Square and the street that connects them - Street of King Tomislav. At this area there is a number of houses from the 18th and 19 century. Late baroque house - the house build from the 1816th years (King Tomislav 1), house Strahija (King Tomislav 18), and two urban houses (King Tomislava 2 and 8), got its final appearance at the end of 19th and early 20th century. At that time, a number of nice one-storey and single-storey house in the historicist style was raised. The most prominent buildings of the time are the Teacher Training College (1888). and a new hall from 1900. year (Trg Eugena Kvaternika 2), both works  builder Valenta Morandinija from Varaždin. It also highlights green building of the First Croatian Savings Bank (1919th), which today serves as the seat of city government.

 Luxurious of all buildings in the center is the former Commercial Čakovec casino, decorated in the Hungarian Art Nouveau style, with a combined front decorations of plaster and brick. This building was built in 1903. by the architect Ödön Horváth for Čakovec associations of traders. The building served as a social gathering place for wealthy citizens, and it had originally contained rooms for card-playing, games, reading room and a dance lounge. Since the Second World War to the present day building is known as the headquarters of the union. In Svetojelenska street is interesting administrative building of the former Count Festetic's estate. It is a historical building built in the neo-Romanesque style, which was part of a large sugar factory. Sugar factory held a Count Festetic's in the Old Town of 1855th the 1888th year. Today, this building is part of Čakovec hospital.

Of public sculptures in Cakovec square is the monument to Nikola Zrinski, quality sculpture work from 1904. year, which consists of a base to N. Zrinskog and column with an eagle. In the park of the Old Town there is a Baroque statue of St. Jerome, placed in 1766th year. This work of the famous Styrian sculptor Veit Königer, was erected in the family in the 18th Althan century, when it was believed that St. Jerome was born in Međimurje.

In the municipality Šenkovec near Čakovec is the chapel of St. Jelena, the rest of the former Pauline monastery. According to legend, the famous tunnel, which enterings can be seen from the park of the Old Town leads to the castle Zrinskih Pauline monastery in Šenkovec.