Susedgrad

On the southwest slopes of Mount Medvednica, not far from the confluence of the rivers Krapina and Sava, a splendid fortified stronghold Susedgrad was erected in the 14th century, and at its foot, alongside the barracks of its garrison, developed the village Podsused, now one of the districts of Zagreb. Thanks to its excellent geographic position, the castle soon became the seat of Susedgrad-Stubica manor, and the “target” of many lords who competed for the possession of it. Among its numerous owners, who were taking it over mostly by various marital combinations, the memory of Franjo Tahi looms large – the hated enemy of peasants in the Great Peasant Revolt. After Tahi succeeded to usurp Susedgrad by force, the deposed noble family Hening complained to all instances up to the court at Wienna. When even the authority of the kings court failed to help them repossess Susedgrad, they turned for help to the peasants. As Tahi treated his serfs very brutally, it was not difficult to persuade them to revolt, and thus in 1573 started the Great Revolt, which ended with a terrible defeat and massacre of the unfortunate peasants. But Franjo Tahi did not enjoy his victory for long. He died in the following year, shortly after the execution of the peasant “king” Matija Gubec. As for Susedgrad, the peasants took their revenge some hundred years later, when they succeeded to take it, completely devastate and burn it down, so that the mighty Susedgrad was never able to recover again.

Now its romantic ruin surrounded by a lovely park can be reached by educational trail from the centre of Podsused. The educational boards along the trail offer a lot of interesting information on the old castle, as well as on “the town under the Sused” and their rich history.