The role of castles in the marketing strategy of Hrvatsko Zagorje as tourist destination

Dvorci kao važan kulturni aspekt baštine, posebno u sjevernom dijelu Hrvatske koje je njima najbogatije, danas najčešće dolaze s problemom održavanja. Zbog njihove veličine, ali i zaštićenog statusa (pa makar bili ruševni), izazov je krenuti u projekte revitalizacije. Ona ponajprije iziskuje odabir namjene stoljetne građevine u suvremenom svijetu čime se postavlja pitanje jesu li potpuna obnova i uljepšavanje dvorca gradnjom unazad nužni kako bi on postao turistički resurs - ili je moguće iskoristiti građevinu i u derutnom stanju, uz potrebne mjere zaštite? Uporabna vrijednost dvoraca ne veže se isključivo uz njihovu obnovu niti inzistiranjem na estetski privlačnoj vanjštini građevine, već suvremenom turistu koji teži autentičnom no drugačijem iskustvu može biti zanimljiva u lošem stanju ako je kvalitetno predstavljena.Castles are important cultural aspects of heritage, especially in the northern part of Croatia where they are the most numerous, but are also today commonly encountered with maintenance issues. Due to their size as well as protected status (even when they're in ruins) there is a challenge in revitalization projects. It primarily requires to find a purpose to centuries-old buildings in the modern world which follows with a question whether the complete restoration of the building is necessary for it to become a tourist resource - or is it possible to use the building in ruinous state, with the necessary protection measures? The usable value of castles is not linked solely to their restoration or insisting on aesthetically appealing exterior, as contemporary tourist seeks authentic and different experience which may suggest that even in poor condition the castle can be interesting if well presented