Municipality of Maruševec: Castle, Churches and Jurjevo

Maruševec Castle, the parish church of St. George and the Jurjevo tradition give the Municipality of Maruševec a distinctive cultural and historical focus. There are also chapels in Druškovec and Jurketinec, whose histories can be described using different dates. Most of the municipal area lies on the gentle foothills of Maceljska gora and Ravna gora. This brings together a clearly described hilly landscape, architectural history and traditional customs. When planning your trip, you can choose between castle history, sacred heritage and local tradition.

Maruševec Castle: Building History in Several Stages

Historical sources have recorded the castle since the mid-14th century; however, it was built in the 16th century as a stone-masonry castle. The two dates refer to different stages: the first marks its appearance in historical sources, the second its construction. The castle was protected by a moat. In the 19th century, Count Schlippenbach restored the complex and added a large tower, giving it its present-day appearance. The castle park also has its own protected status: it is protected as a horticultural monument. In considering its history, the early mention, construction as a stone castle and later alterations under Count Schlippenbach are three separate stages.

Parish Church and Chapels: Sacred Heritage

The façade of the parish church of St. George in Maruševec has been restored, and the church is preserved as a valuable sacred monument. It contains a family crypt belonging to the Vragović family and a gravestone of Paulus Patačić. These specific details add tangible evidence of the church’s sacred heritage.

The Chapel of St. Roch in Druškovec has been standing since 1646 and is an important sanctuary for the people of this area. In Jurketinec, construction of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity took almost seventy years. The dates highlight different aspects: for St. Roch, a starting date is given, while the lengthy construction period is the main point for the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. Together, the two places offer different perspectives on the municipality’s sacred history.

Jurjevo: Tradition and Procession

For the feast of St. George on 23 April, Maruševec traditionally featured Zeleni Jura, represented by a young man dressed in green birch branches. The figure is thus linked to a specific feast day and a distinctive depiction.

During the Jura Zeleni procession in 2025, the decorated Jura Zeleni led participants through Čalinec, Kapelec and Biljevec after a blessing at the Church of St. George. The procession ended at the cultural centre in Čalinec with the symbolic burning of Jure Zeleni as part of the Jurjevo bonfire tradition. According to tradition, the custom is meant to protect against evil, impure forces and disease. This account refers to the 2025 procession; details of the ceremony may vary in future editions.

Regional Context: Varaždin County

In the wider destination of Varaždin County, Aquae Iasae in Varaždinske Toplice is a distinct point of interest for Roman history. From the 1st to the 4th century, Aquae Iasae was an important Roman settlement at a thermal spring in the area of present-day Varaždinske Toplice. Its public architecture included bath buildings with pools and a basilica, a forum with colonnades around the main thermal spring, and a Capitolium with temples to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. This regional context expands the view of the architectural and ecclesiastical history of the Municipality of Maruševec to include Roman bath architecture in Varaždinske Toplice.

Discover More Destinations

Maruševec, Koretinec.

Municipality of Novi Marof, Municipality of Beretinec, Municipality of Bednja, Municipality of Donja Voća, Municipality of Ivanec, Municipality of Ludbreg.

For the wider travel overview: Varaždin County.