Behind the stone walls of the Nova Kraljevica Castle lie the stories of the old Frankopan family, and every step reveals the rich heritage of our region. In addition to embodying the spirit of coastal elegance, the Nova Kraljevica Castle preserves a true treasure of history, and every visit represents a unique journey through time.
The castle is located on a hill of the peninsula, at the very entrance to the Bay of Bakar, and in 1651 it was begun by Petar Zrinski. The building followed the architectural fashion of the nobility of that time and stood as a witness to the social status of its owners. The builders of the castle are believed to have been Venetians, and the castle itself is a large rectangular complex (44 meters long and 36 meters wide) with four large towers placed at the corners. The square inner courtyard has a well in its center, and originally it consisted of a basement, a ground floor, and a first floor, while later owners, the Jesuits, added a second floor in the 19th century.
Having undergone various stages of use – from the nobility to the Jesuits and later military functions – this impressive castle now serves as a cultural centre and hosts various events. It is home to the Visitor and Interpretation Centre, as part of the The Routes of the Frankopans project. A Small Museum of Fishing and Shipbuilding Kraljevica, Ana Katarina gallery and exhibitional space of the 3rd-SPACE.EU/rope project are also located within the castle.
Recently restored, this cultural monument which was, according to the legend, a site of the legendary Zrinski–Frankopan Conspiracy, today stands in all its glory, eagerly awaiting its visitors.
Find out more: https://ruta.frankopani.eu/en/loc/dvorac-nova-kraljevica
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Visitor Centre Kraljevica
The place where heritage turns into experience is located in the western tower of the Nova Kraljevica Castle. This part of the castle was once the very heart of the noble family’s home, and today it houses the Visitor Centre Kraljevica. Here, right beside the magnificent fireplace from the time of Ana Katarina, through an interactive exhibition and engaging interpretation, you will discover the rich story of the Frankopan and Zrinski families, Croatian noble lineages that shaped the history of our region. Through pictograms, multimedia applications, and intriguing content, a visit to this Centre represents an unforgettable experience and is also the ideal first step to getting to know the entire cultural-tourist route The Routes of the Frankopans, whose central site is the Nova Kraljevica Castle. Here you can explore the rich tangible and intangible heritage of the Zrinski and Frankopan families in the area of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and also have fun with the Frankopan Fortune Teller, an interactive game that will reveal your personal prophecy!
Interpretation Centre Kraljevica
In the Interpretation Centre Kraljevica, the history of the Zrinski and Frankopan families, two of the most powerful families of the 17th century, whose destiny marked the Croatian past, comes to life. They built their wealth and power over centuries, and precisely because of that they often came into conflict with imperial authority. The intriguing Zrinski–Frankopan Conspiracy, which, due to the development of historical events, unfortunate circumstances, and mistaken political assessments, resulted in a failed action against the Habsburgs and ended tragically for the main conspirators, is considered one of the most significant events in early modern Croatian history. For more than three and a half centuries, the fate of these conspiratorial families has been interpreted in various ways under changing historical circumstances, and the story of their lives, heroism, and destiny is best understood in the very place where it all began – in the mystical space of the Nova Kraljevica Castle, where Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan took their oath for the freedom of their homeland, and where, as many believe, the conspiracy was first conceived. For this reason, the Nova Kraljevica Castle, as well as the Interpretation Centre, represent an important topos of history.
Small Museum of Fishing and Shipbuilding Kraljevica
The Small Museum of Fishing and Shipbuilding Kraljevica is located on the first floor of our beautiful Nova Kraljevica Castle, where you can discover the richness of Kraljevica’s maritime heritage through 30 ship models built in the legendary Kraljevica Shipyard – from the first ferries that sailed on Jadrolinija routes to warships. Special exhibits also include models of ships from the 19th century, as well as paintings and shipbuilding tools that testify to two centuries of shipbuilding history. In addition to the ships, the museum presents a fascinating collection of fishing equipment that illustrates the traditions of the Kraljevica region and tells the story of how people once fished and lived from the sea.
Galleries
Our castle is a safe harbor not only for lovers of history but also for lovers of art. Within the castle are the Ana Katarina exhibition gallery and the gallery space of the interdisciplinary exhibition of the European project 3rd-SPACE.EU/rope which is every year bringing new contemporary art. This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in various perspectives and artistic expressions that both challenge and inspire.
Multimedia Hall
The Multimedia Hall is a space created through the project of the cultural-tourist route Routes of the Frankopans and serves for hosting various lectures, workshops, and educational programs. The space is open for use to all project partners but is also available for rent to external collaborators.
Castle Rental
The Nova Kraljevica Castle premises are available for rent for weddings via tavern Fran Krsto Frankopan, as well as for other purposes such as filming or photography (via City of Kraljevica or Kraljevica Tourist Board).
