Just twenty minutes from the center of Zagreb lies one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Europe. The Fortress of Medvedgrad dates back to the 13th century, when it was built by Zagreb's Bishop Filip, and for more than 300 years it was used to defend the western border of the Hungarian-Croation state against invasions by the Tatars and others. It was abandoned in 1590, when an earthquake nearly destroyed it, and lay in ruins for centuries until a local preservation group undertook a decades-long restoration project in the 1970's. Today, Medvedgrad is one of the most scenic spots on Mount Medvednica, an imposing 1,032-meter peak that forms a striking backdrop to Croatia's capital city. After you've seen the fortress, take a few hours to explore the rest of the mountain, which has kilometers of hiking and skiing trails, a scenic cable car, and a handful of cafes where you can relax with a drink and a pastry. Starwood has three properties in Zagreb: the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, the Westin Zagreb, and the Four Points by Sheraton Panorama Zagreb.
[image via Virtual Tourist]
