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Favorite thing: Soon after the liberation from the Ottoman rule in 18th Century area around Donji Miholjac was given to Baron Hilleprand von Prandau, who administered the area from his castle in Valpovo. In 1831 Baron Josip Ignac Hilleprand von Prandau died and his estate was divided into two among his two sons: Gustav got southern part with Valpovo as a center while Karlo got the northern part around Donji Miholjac. Both parts were of the same size.
Donji Miholjac had two castles built closeby. The older son of Baron Josip Ignac, Karlo, was only 24 when his father died so Maria Ana Countess Pejacevich (widow of Baron Josip Ignac), built him a castle in Donji Miholjac in 1818. It is a ground-storey house built in late-Baroque style.
After death of Karlo Donji Miholjac was again joined to Valpovo. Since Gustav was last male Hilleprand von Prandau, estate was divided again after his death in 1886. His elder daughter Marijana got Valpovo estate while Stefanija Hilleprand von Prandau got Donji Miholjac.
Updated Oct 9, 2004
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Favorite thing: The castle is surrounded by a large landscape park that was laid out in the first half of the 19th Century on an area of 18 acres. Later it was enlarged to an area counting 35 acres and is still one of the largest parks surrounding castles in Croatia.
The park had a large landscape-style area, utilitarian gardens, three garden sculptures and a large glasshouse for tropical plants with a large fountain. A small veranda on the main façade had statues of Flora (Roman goddess of flowers and spring) and Pomona (Roman goddess of gardens and fruits).
Since 1961 the park surrounding the castle is listed as a monument of landscape architecture. The park has 110 different plant species of trees and shrubs.
Written Oct 9, 2004
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Favorite thing: Baron Karlo Hilleprand von Prandau was the best known of all Donji Miholjac owners. He was a well known figure in Vienna and in whole Austrian Monarchy in the first half of the 19th Century. He attended grammar school in Osijek and later studied law in Bratislava, but became famous as a musician and an art patron. The people of Vienna knew him from concerts under his nickname Künstler-Baron. In 1848 he composed the 'Croatian March', dedicated to Josip Jelacic, Ban of Croatia.
The last owner of Donji Miholjac was Stefanija’s son Count Ladislav Mailath, who had no children. He was close to Archduke Francis Ferdinand who used to often visit Donji Miholjac. He spent three months hunting here just before he was assasined in Sarajevo in 1914.
In 1923 Donji Miholjac castle was sold to brothers Filip and Adolf Schlezinger, owners of Podravina joint stock company. Since 1938 Dr. Filip Schlezinger became the only owner of the estate and lived in the castle until 1941, when all of his Jewish family left Donji Miholjac.
As all castles in Croatia, after the war Donji Miholjac was nationalized. Today the castle houses government and municipal offices.
Written Oct 9, 2004
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Favorite thing: A funny story is connected with Count Mailath at the time he was building this castle. He wrote to Emperor Franz Joseph asking him for advice regarding the floor pavements. He had an idea to tile the floor in his study room with gold coins. The problem was - he couln’t decide which way to put the coins. If coind would face up he would walk on the Arms of the Monarchy, if they would be put face down he would walk up on His Majesty.
Franz Joseph quickly solved the Count's problem. In his answering letter he suggested to put the gold coins upright.
Written Oct 9, 2004
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Favorite thing: A grand, two-storey castle was built next to the old one in 1905 by Stefanija Hilleprand who got married to Count Georg Mailath. From that time on, Donji Miholjac became the property of Counts Mailath von Szekhely.
A little is known about the Mailath family. They came from Transylvania and became Hungarian counts in 1885.
The large castle was designed by a Budapest architect Istvan Moeller as a historicist country mansion with picturesque facades. This is one of the largest and also one of the youngest castles built in Slavonia - one of the rare ones built in the 20th Century. Its ground plan has dimensions of 44 x 20 metres and is built in neo-Romantic historicist style. Many eclectic features - like steep roofs, decorative chimneys or dormer windows give the impression of an English Tudor style.
Most of the interior is preserved, but without the original furniture.
Written Oct 9, 2004
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A grand, two-storey castle was built next to the old one in 1905 by Stefanija Hilleprand who got married to Count Georg Mailath. From that time on, Donji...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Donji Miholjac. I'd love to share with you the 7 tips I've written, the 8 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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If you ever come near this place, visit it.. It's nothing much but it has castle "Mailath", built by count Mailath in 1818. It is one of most beautifuly castles in Croatia. Around it has large park......
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