LUŽNICA CASTLE – MARY'S
COURT
Sisters of Charity Baronial Estate Near Zagreb
One
normally doesn't envision nuns of religious devotion dedicated to serving
the
poor, in
the rich environment of a neo-Baroque manor house
of European nobility. The Castle Luznica, built in 1791, is now in the
hands of the nuns of the Sisters of Charity Convent of St Vincent de Paul.
The beautiful manor itself, set on an 8 acre park with a lake and woodland
walks only 14 miles from Zagreb (see Zagreb City), is used mostly for
ceremonial functions, educational seminars, workshops and conferences
for the Spritual
Education
Center of Mary's Court, while a modern seperate wing on the grounds serves
as a residence and nursing home for aging nuns.
The
Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul were first founded in 1633
as the Servants
to the
Sick & Poor, once known as the Gray Sisters - from their habit colors,
not their disposition - which is anything but gray. The order has gonne
though many itterations since the 17th Century. The castle manor is open
to tourists on Sundays with guided tours offered at 4 pm.
On
other
days it is also possible to visit by special request, just call ahead,
at least one of the very welcoming and charming sisters speaks English
and will make arrangements.
The
mansion of Castle Luznica with a formal symetrical design with turreted
corners
was originally the home of successive Croatian
noble families
until being acquired by the sisters. Many of the rooms of the mid-18th
Century
mansion retain their original wood paneling, crests and decorative
tile heaters common to baronial manors of central Europe (see Ceramics
Liechtenstein), though most
of the period furniture is replacement. The castle is filled with some
stunning religious art of classic style as well as a very unique and
very modern altar in the chaple designed by a local young artist on
commission from the convent which requires some explanation of
its meaning – a
sun representing Christ rising over the waves of a sea representing
the calming force of the Holy spirit in the seas of a tumultuous
life.
Looking to stay in a Croatian Convent?
Lodging
accommodation for the public is available at the Castle Luznica Mary's
Court center.
The guesthouse on the park grounds, which shares part
of a modern dormatory structure where the resident nuns convalesce,
has
53 single rooms available, 5 which can be used as twin, all with
bathrooms and Internet connection. Meals are served in the manor
house dining
room including a Vegetarian menu. A large conference hall in the
manor’s
basement 
can
accommodate up to 150 with a refreshment room, which I must admit
is the first bar I've seen
with a crucifix over it.
The park offers
ample opportunity for woodland walks and contemplation, or prayer
at the Statue of the Virgin Mary standing over the open sepulchre
surrounded
by pines and flowers and some neighboring run down farms. If on
a religious tour of Croatia, Lužnica is not far from various
places of pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, like Marija Bistrica.
The Lužnica Manor is 4 km off the Ljubljana-Maribor highway and can
be reached by car or by public transportation, though the bus and train
stations are about a 15-20 minute walk. Zagreb airport is about 45 minutes
by car. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel and travel deals in Croatia on TripAdvisor
Web
Info
Luznica
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE ALSO:
TRAKOSCAN
CASTLE
HOTEL CASTLE GJALSKI - KRAPINA-ZAGORJE
