The ancient walls of Kaštel Grobnik, witnesses to turbulent centuries and guardians of a rich history, once again become the stage for significant cultural and historical events. This monumental castle, celebrating an impressive 800 years of existence this year, is preparing a series of events that will revive the spirit of past times and offer unforgettable experiences to visitors. Starting today, April 30, 2025, a series of events begins, celebrating the heritage of famous Croatian noble families and the rich cultural legacy of the Grobnik region. Visitors coming from other areas can consider accommodation options in Grobnik to fully experience the atmosphere.

The Frankopan Circle: Commemoration of Great Figures and Jubilee Celebration

Starting at 5 PM today, within the ambiance of Grobnik Castle, the second edition of the event "Frankopanski krug" takes place. The initiative, launched last year, aims to commemorate the tragic deaths of Croatian nobles Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan. On this very day, April 30, 1671, in Wiener Neustadt, the lives of the leaders of the anti-Habsburg conspiracy were extinguished, thus ending the attempt to resist the centralist policy of the Viennese court and the fight for Croatian rights after the unfavorable Peace of Vasvár. Their sacrifice is remembered under the motto "Navik on živi ki zgine pošteno" (He lives forever who dies honestly), and this memorial day is dedicated to the symbols of the struggle for the freedom of the Croatian people.

This year's Frankopan Circle is further enriched by the celebration of two exceptional jubilees. The first is the grand 800 years since the first mention of Kaštel Grobnik itself, a fortress that over the centuries was home to the Frankopans and Zrinskis and the center of important historical events. The second jubilee celebrates the life and work of one of the most significant women in Croatian history – Ana Katarina Zrinski, née Frankopan. Born around 1625, Ana Katarina was not only the wife of Ban Petar Zrinski and sister of Fran Krsto Frankopan, but also a prominent writer, translator, and diplomat. In a world dominated by men, she possessed exceptional cultural and political influence. Her prayer book "Putni tovaruš", printed in 1661, is considered a jewel of Croatian Baroque literature, and her tragic fate after the collapse of the Zrinski-Frankopan conspiracy, when she was deprived of everything and imprisoned in a convent in Graz where she died in 1673, testifies to the difficult times and personal sacrifice.

The program of the Frankopan Circle is designed to immerse visitors in the rich history and culture of the era:

• Lecture on Ana Katarina: Saša Potočnjak will give a lecture dedicated to the life and significance of Ana Katarina Zrinski, shedding light on her role in Croatian history and literature.


• Historical Clothing Workshop: Thanks to Alen Žitnić, a tailor, designer, and costume designer from Rijeka known for his work on historical costumes, visitors will have a unique opportunity to learn about the process of dressing in historical garments. The workshop will present faithfully reconstructed dresses like those that might have adorned Ana Katarina's wardrobe, allowing participants to experience firsthand the complexity and beauty of clothing from past times.


• Exhibition of the graphic map "Tragom Frankopana" (Following the Frankopans): An exhibition of works by the famous Croatian painter-graphic artist Ivan Balažević will be opened. The graphic map, created in 1992, visually interprets the rich legacy of the Frankopan family.


• Musical Backdrop: The pleasant atmosphere will be provided by academic musician and guitar professor Slađana Čolović, a member of the "Muzika u koracima" association, who will contribute to the historical ambiance with her music.


• Medieval Care Workshop: Soulsister therapy by Gaia, a brand dedicated to natural cosmetics and aromatherapy led by Loredana Grlaš, will hold an interesting workshop on the topic of makeup and care of medieval noblewomen, revealing beauty secrets from ancient times.

This event provides a great opportunity for a deeper understanding of the heritage of the Zrinskis and Frankopans and the significance of Kaštel Grobnik itself. For anyone planning a visit, it's worth checking the available accommodation in Grobnik.

Guitar Virtuoso at Kaštel Grobnik

Just a day later, tomorrow, May 1, 2025, starting at 8 PM, the ancient Kaštel Grobnik will host an exceptional musical event. As part of a collaboration with the "Muzika u koracima" (MOOK) association, which actively works to promote musical art and organize music camps and competitions, Polish guitar virtuoso Tomasz Radziszewski will perform in Grobnik. As an exclusive guest of the association's music camp, Radziszewski will present his lavish talent to the Grobnik audience and convey his deep fascination with the guitar.

Tomasz Radziszewski is a young but already highly acclaimed musician, winner of numerous prestigious international guitar competitions, including first prizes in Tallinn (Estonia, 2018), Tczew (Poland, 2017), Kielce (Poland, 2015), and Trzęsacz (Poland, 2014), as well as high placements in competitions in Krynica and Oborniki Śląskie. His technical flawlessness and expressive interpretation promise a memorable concert in the unique ambiance of Grobnik Castle.

This musical experience is the result of successful collaboration among several partners: besides the "Muzika u koracima" association, there are the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Punat, the Municipality of Čavle, and the renowned Festival de guitarre Luxembourg. Admission to the concert is free, but due to the limited number of seats, arriving on time is recommended. Lovers of top-quality music coming from outside the region can look for ideal accommodation in Grobnik to enjoy this special event.

Night of Fortresses 2025: Grobnik as Part of the European Story

On May 9, 2025, Kaštel Grobnik will join the major international event "Noć tvrđava" (Night of Fortresses). This event, held for the fourth consecutive year, brings together around 50 fortified historical sites across Europe – in Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Italy, and beyond. Originating from the EU project FORTITUDE and now developed through the GIFTSnet project (Interreg IPA Croatia-BiH-Montenegro), "Noć tvrđava" aims to promote and revive fortification heritage and provide visitors with a rich and educational program.

Kaštel Grobnik, as one of the participating fortresses, is preparing a diverse program for all generations:

• Historical Playroom for Children: In cooperation with the local association "Grobnički rez", founded in 2022, a playroom will be organized to introduce the youngest to history in a fun way.


• Proclamation of the Frankopan Guard: Members of the historical unit "Praesidio Frangipanis", probably better known as the Frankopan Guard Grobnik, who also participate in other events like the Frankopan Advent, will have their ceremonial proclamation, reviving the spirit of the former guardians of the Castle.


• Lecture on Kaštel Grobnik: Dolores Oštrić, an experienced conservator from the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Culture and Media in Rijeka, will give an expert lecture. As someone who has dedicated a significant part of her career to researching and preserving Kaštel Grobnik, she will provide valuable insight into its history, architecture, and conservation challenges.


• Concert by Fran Živković: The highlight of the evening will begin at 8 PM with a concert by the young and talented Croatian musician Fran Živković. This guitarist and composer, recipient of a scholarship from the "Rudolf and Margita Matz" Fund of the Croatian Composers' Society, known for his album "Reason to Smile" and his own Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, will surely delight the audience with his musicianship.

Participation in the "Noć tvrđava" confirms the importance of Kaštel Grobnik on the cultural map of Croatia and Europe. Visitors will have the opportunity not only to enjoy the program but also to discover the beauty and history of this ancient fortress. If you plan to visit Grobnik for this event, explore the accommodation options in Grobnik and its surroundings.

The upcoming days at Kaštel Grobnik offer an extraordinary blend of history, culture, music, and education, celebrating the rich heritage and vitality of this unique place.