Description of the attraction
Luznica Palace is a registered cultural monument in Croatia. The palace is located near Zagreb and was built in the middle of the 18th century. It is a one-story Baroque building with three open wings with cylindrical corner towers.
The inside of the palace is also very attractive. The basement where the servants lived is simple and unadorned. The walls of the premises that were used by the owners are richer in decoration and have the remains of images. Some valuable elements of the interior have survived, such as the stair railings and an old carved wardrobe.
The English park, in which the castle is located, is located on the border between the urban and forest landscape and covers eight hectares. The park and the palace are visually and functionally connected. The park is designed in the English style and is characterized by its large size, groves that adjoin the surrounding forest, rolling hills, irregular paths, a large lake and alternating areas of sunny meadows and shady corners. There are also a lot of lawns with flowers in the park.
The first owner of the castle was Baron Rauch in the 18th century. In 1925, the community of the sisters of mercy of St. Vincent de Paul bought the castle, which they still own. The castle was bought for the needs of elderly and sick sisters. In the surrounding areas there was an opportunity for agricultural work and food production, both for the needs of the sisters and for the patients of the hospital in which they served. Very soon, the castle became a refuge for poor people and neglected children. The community suffered greatly during the Second World War, as a result of which the park and the castle were destroyed.
After the recognition of Croatia, work began on the reconstruction of this cultural heritage. Today, the results of efforts to revive this pearl of Croatian architecture are visible. The mansion is valuable not only nationally but also internationally.
Luzhnitsa, in comparison with other similar complexes in the region (abandoned, not used, partially destroyed), is a very striking example of an attempt at self-financing and survival.
