Description of the attraction
The Varazdin Cathedral was built on the site of an older church. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was the center of the Jesuit monastery, which also included a school.
The history of this school, built by the Jesuits, is interesting. It was once a one-story wooden building, but now it is the seat of the bishop. The school was the first project of the Jesuits who once arrived in the city, it is the third oldest educational institution in the country, because was built a little later than schools in Rijeka and Zagreb. It was the school that was the symbol of Varazdin for several centuries.
The cathedral was built in the 17th century by the architect George Matot. The temple was built from 1642 to 1656. and was consecrated in 1656. At the same time, the bell tower of the cathedral was completed only 20 years later. The cathedral received its present appearance in the 18th century.
The cathedral hosts the traditional Baroque music festival known as "Baroque Evenings". The facade of the temple is decorated with columns, as well as pediments and niches. In the central niche there is a statue of Mary, created in the 17th century. Below are the coats of arms of the Draskovic family.
The main altar of the cathedral is the largest in Varaždin (11x14 meters). Marble columns adorn the baroque altar. At the top of the main altar is the image of the Holy Trinity. Above the tabernacle there is a relief depicting the Last Supper. The cathedral has six chapels, three in each side aisle. They are dedicated to the saints of the Jesuit order, including the very founder of the order, St. Ignatius Loyola, and the very famous Jesuit, St. Francis Xverius.
After the ban of the Jesuit order, the monastery buildings changed their owners several times and were used for different purposes. Currently, it houses the Faculty of Informatics and Management of the local university.
