Pejačević Castle in Virovitica


is located in the erstwhile village of Retfala, which nowadays forms a part of the city centre of the city of Osijek.
It is one of several castles owned by the members of Pejačević noble family in the croatian region of Slavonia.

History

According to the sign located on the facade above the entrance, the manor was built by count Sigismund Pejačević in 1801, with the actual construction beginning in 1796.
The Retfala Estate was acquired by the Pejačević Counts as a grant by the then Austrian Empress and Croatian-Hungarian Queen Maria Theresa in 1750. In the beginning it started out as a relatively small estate.

Architecture

The refined classical manor is composed of three wings shaped in the form of the letter U. The internal space is organised around a central hallway with rooms aligned on either side. The central axis is highlighted by the grand hall and atrium within the great pavilion.
The central pavilion is raised on the first floor, whilst the remaining part of the manor, complete with its lateral wings, is at ground level.
At ground level, the pavilion is articulated by arcades and a great series of ionic pilasters, which was originally covered by a mansard roof, as was the rest of the building.
The manor is separated from the street by a triumphal entrance made from wrought iron railings.
Despite the identity of the architect not being known, the manor is regarded as a significant work of classical architecture within Croatia

Mausoleum

Close to the vicinity of the manor at the Retfala Cemetery, the Pejačević Family chapel-mausoleum dates from the year 1891.

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