On Friday 18th November 2016 the visitor centre of the ‘The Routes of the Frankopans’ cultural route opened its doors in Kraljevica. It is a unique project, which for the first time interprets the story of the Frankopans, a family of exceptional importance in the struggle for Croatian national identity.

Muses are responsible for the concept of the permanent exhibition, the content development and the interpretive texts of the visitor centre which is located in one of the originally preserved rooms of the Nova Kraljevica Castle. This visitor centre represents the first stop of the historical and cultural journey, which invites the exploration of the rich tangible and spiritual heritage of the Frankopans and Zrinskis.

‘The Routes of the Frankopans’ project was begun and is being successfully led by Primorje-Gorski Kotar County with the aim of the restoration and sustainable use of the Frankopan tangible and intangible heritage, and the wish is to create a network of innovative and highly experiential cultural and tourist features based on the heritage of the Frankopans.

The Frankopan route leads through 17 castles and 3 sacral complexes strung from Krk over Vinodol to Gorski Kotar. Starting on Krk they are the Gradec Castle, the Castle in Krk and the Franciscan Monastery on Košljun.

The route continues over the Vinodol municipality to Grobnik Castle, Trsat Castle, the Castle in Bakar, Hreljin Old Town, Old Town of the Zrinskis in Kraljevica, Nova Kraljevica Castle, Drivenik Castle, Grižane Castle, the Pauline Monastery in Crikvenica, the Tower in Bribir, the Castle with the Kvadrac Tower in Novi Vinodolski and the Old Town of Ledenice. Whilst in the region of Gorski Kotar the Zrinski Castle in Čabar, the Zrinski Castle in Brod na Kupi, the Severin Castle, the Stara Sušica Castle and Gomirje Monastery are linked together.

The coming together of the sensibility of contemporary artists and the powerful historical family story of Croatian and European significance, makes a visit to this visitor centre an unforgettable experience, with the encouragement to continue the exploration of ‘The Routes of the Frankopans’ cultural route.

In the newly opened visitor centre in Kraljevica the mentioned cultural monuments together with the destinations in which they are situated, are connected on a contemporary map of the rich tourist network woven into the legacy of the Frankopan aristocratic family. The central exhibit of the visitor centre is the meandering table, an installation that enables the visitor an insight into the main points of heritage on the route. Using the language of multimedia, the interpretation here features original and wonderful artistic animations and films.

Exhibition scenography
Penezic & Rogina

Artists
Ivan Marušić Cliff
Ana Husman

Photos
Domagoj Blažević