MARUŠEVEC ESTATE

A Visionary Treasure - the Story behind.

Where History Meets Legacy

Set amidst the rolling greenery of Varaždin County, Maruševec Estate is a place where centuries of history, culture, and vision quietly converge. At its heart stands Maruševec Castle, one of Northern Croatia’s oldest architectural treasures, surrounded by a fifteen-hectare English garden and a romantic lake designed around 1900 by renowned garden architect Carl Gustav Svennson.

From the very beginning, Maruševec has been more than a residence - it has been a symbol of ambition, elegance, and continuity.

Origins in the 14th Century

The origins of Maruševec Castle date back to the 14th century, when it was first constructed by the aristocratic Vragović family. Over the centuries, the castle evolved alongside the changing tides of European history, gradually transforming in both form and purpose.

Its most defining architectural character emerged in the late 19th century, when Count Schlippenbach reshaped the castle in the spirit of German Romanticism. He added the iconic four-storey tower and introduced elements that still define Maruševec’s unmistakable silhouette today.

The Pongratz Era – Vision and Influence

In 1883, Oskar von Pongratz acquired the entire Maruševec Estate, leaving a lasting mark by expanding the main wing and giving the castle its final historic form.

The Pongratz family belonged to the most influential entrepreneurial families in Croatia during the second half of the 19th century. Their legacy shaped the nation’s economic and industrial landscape:
they co-founded the Ožujsko Brewery, established the Croatian Escompte Bank, constructed the railway line from Zagreb to Rijeka, and built major harbours in Rijeka and Trieste.

Their success is still visible today — from the family Palais on Jelačić Square in Zagreb to Villa Pongratz in Visoka Ulica, now serving as the Presidential Residence.

Loss, Silence, and Return

In 1945, following World War II, privately owned estates across the country were seized by the state. The Pongratz family were forced to relinquish their properties, including Maruševec, Čalinec, Ormož, Dornava, Polzela, and Šenek.

What followed was a decades-long period of absence - a silence in which the estate stood without its founding family.

After many years of persistent effort, justice prevailed. In 2004, parts of the Maruševec Estate were finally restituted to the Pongratz family, marking a long-awaited return.

Picture: Oscar von Pongratz in front of Maruševec Castle 1976

A New Chapter: DVOMAR

In 2015, a new generation of the Pongratz family founded DVOMAR, led by the son of the last Oskar von Pongratz.

With deep respect for the past and a clear vision for the future, DVOMAR was created to restore, protect, and revitalize Maruševec Estate - not merely as a monument, but as a living place where heritage, culture, and contemporary life intertwine.

Preserving the Past. Shaping the Future.

Today, Maruševec Castle stands as a testament to resilience, heritage, and continuity. Every stone tells a story - of rise and loss, of vision and return.

And this story is still being written.

Black and white photo of a historical multi-story building with market stalls and umbrellas in the foreground.
Colorful heraldic coat of arms with two crowned helmets topped with feathers, a shield featuring a black eagle, a red tower, and decorative flourishes.
A vintage car parked in front of an old building with four people standing nearby, including two men in suits and hats, a woman, and a child, with a tree growing against the building.
Painted portrait of a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a white suit, striped tie, sitting outdoors on a bench with a forest background.
Historical black and white photograph of a large, ornate, multi-story house with a domed tower, surrounded by trees.
A black-and-white photograph of a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a suit, white shirt, and bow tie, with a serious expression.
Black and white photo of an ornate living room with a large fireplace at the center, surrounded by chairs and tables, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A large historic castle-like building with a red roof, multiple windows, and a central tower. It is surrounded by a garden with colorful flowers and trees.
Black and white photo of a castle with towers, surrounded by trees and ivy-covered walls.