Oršić Castle in Gornja Bistra

Oršić Castle is a baroque château in Gornja Bistra with an L-shaped floor plan and arcades running along an interior courtyard. The front facade features rhythmically spaced windows and displays the balanced proportions typical of baroque design.

Count Krsto Oršić built the castle in 1756 on the ruins of a medieval fortress that had stood on the site. The family continued to live there until 1924, maintaining it through changing times.

The interior chapel displays illusionist paintings and a baroque altar that reflect the artistic taste of Croatian nobility in the 18th century. This decoration gives visitors a sense of how wealthy families of that era furnished their private spaces.

The castle sits on a hilltop about 230 meters above sea level and is best reached on foot from the village of Gornja Bistra. Access is limited since it remains a privately owned property under heritage protection, so checking conditions in advance is wise.

After a major earthquake struck in the 19th century, builders added a classicist porch with a tympanum and Doric columns to repair and reinforce the structure. This addition reveals how owners adapted their buildings to new architectural trends when disaster forced reconstruction work.

Location: Bistra

Inception: 1775

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Elevation above the sea: 230 m

Address: Bolnička ulica 21, 10298 Gornja Bistra

GPS coordinates: 45.91680,15.90451

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:28