Varaždin

Varaždin lies near the Drava in northern Croatia. A settlement grew beside its moated fortress, and King Andrew II granted its citizens the privileges of a free royal town in 1209. Merchants and craftsmen prospered there, while noble houses, churches and palaces later gave the town a distinguished Baroque character.

In 1756 Ban Franjo Nádasdy made Varaždin his residence, drawing Croatian political life and noble families to the town. Maria Theresa established the Croatian Royal Council here in 1767, making Varaždin the seat of government. Its meetings were held in a wing of the Drašković palace. This period ended abruptly in April 1776, when a great fire consumed much of the town. The ban, council and many nobles left for Zagreb, and Varaždin had to rebuild its damaged streets and houses.