"The Pearl of Northern Croatia" a Varazdin Travel Page by diocletianvs

Dubrovnik is often called Pearl of the Adriatic, and I am convinced that Varazdin definitely deserves to be called the Pearl of the Northern Croatia. It was Croatian capital in the 18th century, and the seat of Croatian Royal Council. In 1776 a big fire almost completely destroyed the town. However bad it looked at that time, it caused the administrative center of Croatia to move to Zagreb and Varazdin flourished in the years following the big fire when numerous baroque palaces were built all over the town.

Today Zagreb is choking in its traffic and high prices while people of Varazdin enjoy in one of the best places to live in Croatia. The economy of the town is prosperous, all distances are easy to walk, the bicycle is a norm (even a mayor of Varazdin uses one to get to work), street life is so rich they even have a street festival and baroque does not stop only on building facades but goes inside in the form of an annual baroque festival.

While Dubrovnik may be a great place that shows how people used to live and build their cities in the past, Varazdin is a showcase how people can enjoy living in a historic setting today.

Definitely do not miss Varazdin if you are passing through this part of Croatia. You will never feel like in a historic theme park here, but you may want to stay here forever!

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In October 2006 it was already fifth or sixth time I was attending a conference or a congress in Varazdin's Turist hotel. Only a bit more than 30 minutes ride from Zagreb, Varazdin is a popular congress venue. Still, I was ashamed to admit that my visits to this place were limited only to the congress hall of the Turist hotel and few sporadic walks during the lunch breaks.
So this time I decided to stay one night longer and spend a Sunday morning exploring this city. As the locals were soaking last rays of October sun in numerous cafes and the church bells were giving a unique concert I enjoyed my walk through the streets of this beautiful town asking myself why I don't visit more often when I need to "re-charge my batteries".