Gornji Kneginec
About this place
Gornji Kneginec stands eight kilometres south-east of Varaždin, at 208 metres above sea level on the road linking the city with Varaždinske Toplice. It is the municipal centre where Varaždin’s flatter surroundings begin to rise towards the vineyards and wooded slopes of the Varaždinske Toplice hills. Its medieval story reaches beyond the local legend of a princess: Kneginec fortress was recorded in 1204 as the place where the future King Andrew II was imprisoned, and the estate passed to Varaždin after the city received royal free-city status in 1209. The village’s principal surviving monument is the Gothic Church of St Mary Magdalene, enlarged and furnished around 1800. Inside are altars by Vincent Nitl and 1811 paintings of St Barbara and St Joseph by Antun Keller. Promoted as Varaždin’s “southern gateway”, Kneginec is well placed for combining church heritage, short drives through the Varaždinske Bregi wine country and an excursion to Roman Aquae Iasae in Varaždinske Toplice.
Gornji Kneginec developed along the old Varaždin–Varaždinske Toplice route, eight kilometres south-east of Varaždin. Its historical core is associated with the former Kneginec fortress, recorded in 1204 in the account of the conflict between the royal brothers Emeric and Andrew. Andrew II’s charter of 1209 uses the name Khene while defining Varaždin’s municipal estate, providing an important early written record of the settlement. The parish Church of St Mary Magdalene retains Gothic origins despite being enlarged and furnished around 1800. At 208 metres above sea level, the village occupies the flatter foot of the Varaždinske Bregi hills, while the municipality’s southern reaches climb into the vineyards of Varaždin Breg.
Things to see
Crkva sv. Vida u Varaždinu
Landmark · Varaždin
church building in Varaždin, Croatia
7 km from Gornji Kneginec
Palača Patačić-Puttar u Varaždinu
Landmark · Varaždin
Patačić-Puttar Palace on Zagrebačka Street was created around 1745 by joining three houses into a Late Baroque corner residence with an oriel window.
7 km from Gornji Kneginec
Erdödy-Patačić Palace in Varaždin
Landmark · Varaždin
palača u Varaždinu, Hrvatska
7 km from Gornji Kneginec
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Things to do
Start at the parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, whose interior contains Vincent Nitl’s 1811 altars, a cabinet made by Horge in 1824, and Antun Keller’s paintings of St Barbara and St Joseph. Continue towards Varaždin Breg, the municipality’s southern area of vineyards, woodland and winding roads through the Varaždinske Bregi hills. For lunch or a longer pause, the county tourist board highlights Kneginečka Hiža, seven kilometres from central Varaždin on the road towards Varaždinske Toplice. The same transport corridor makes it easy to continue either into Varaždin or to the Roman Aquae Iasae complex in Varaždinske Toplice.
Tours and activities
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Nearest destination: Zagreb (57 km)
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GetYourGuide · Varaždin
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Practical information
Getting there and around
Gornji Kneginec lies on the Varaždin–Varaždinske Toplice road, eight kilometres from central Varaždin, making it straightforward to reach by car from either direction. The village has no railway station; Varaždin station is used for onward HŽPP services towards Zagreb, Čakovec and Koprivnica. A registered county bus route operated by Vincek links Varaždin and Gornji Kneginec, with the timetable best checked for the intended date. Cycling is practical for the short connection with Varaždin and Varaždin Breg, although routes continuing south become noticeably hillier.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Gornji Kneginec from Varaždin?
Gornji Kneginec is eight kilometres south-east of Varaždin, on the road towards Varaždinske Toplice.
Is there a bus from Varaždin to Kneginec?
Yes. The county-route register lists a Varaždin–Gornji Kneginec bus service operated by Vincek.
What year is the church sacristy cabinet from?
The sacristy cabinet by master Antun Horga in St Mary Magdalene Church is dated 1824.
Which paintings did Antun Keller make for the church?
Antun Keller painted the altarpieces of St Barbara and St Joseph in Gornji Kneginec.
Nearby
Gornji Kneginec
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Photo credits: Crkva sv. Vida u Varaždinu — Ex13 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Palača Patačić-Puttar u Varaždinu — Szeder László (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Erdödy-Patačić Palace in Varaždin — David Kundih (CC BY-SA 4.0) · St Nicholas Church — Fhms at Croatian Wikipedia (Public domain) · Book Me Apartman — Natalija Kirša (courtesy of the property owner) · Kuća za odmor Green Zen — IVICA ŠKRINJARIĆ (courtesy of the property owner) · Osijek — Rp031 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Vukovar — Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Stubičke Toplice — MOs810 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Slavonski Brod — Petar Milošević (CC BY-SA 4.0)