THE MUSEUM OF ME�IMURJE HAS ITS PREMISES IN THE ZRINSKIS' PALACE TODAY

In the thirteenth century, Count Dimitrius Chaky, the Court Magistrate of King Bela IV, had a wooden defence tower built in the central part of Me�imurje. The tower found its place in history under the name of Chaktornya (Chak's tower). The town to develop around the tower and latter fortresses in the Middle Ages was named after the very tower. The period of more significant economic and cultural growth of �akovec is considered to have started in 1547, when Nikola �ubi� Zrinski of Siget bacame the owner of the area. By the late seventeenth century, the Zrinskis, as one of the most powerful Croatian noble families, marked the material and spiritual development of the area. Duke Juraj Zrinski granted privileges to thr inhabitants of the �akovec fortress' suburb on May 29, 1579, which provided for the starting point for �akovec in becoming a free market town. This date is celebrated as the City Day.

The rich history of �akovec and Me�imurje has been protected from oblivion by the Museum located in the Old Town of the Zrinskis. In the immediate surroundings, there are some other institutions important for the cultural life of the City - the Public Library and the Cultural Centre that hosts motion picture, music and theatre happenings, as well as art exhibitions.