The medieval noble town at the top of the southern slope of Medvednica is the most important example of medieval civil architecture in Zagreb. Some of its parts have extraordinary monumental value, and the recently discovered Chapel of Saint Philip and Jacob is undoubtedly a prime example of early Gothic church architecture in Croatia. Thanks to extensive restoration, Medvedgrad has become an integral part of the city's panorama, daily inviting people to visit it. As the fortress was built on a steep slope, the view from its walls is magnificent. With its ideal location, close to the city, yet far away enough to give the visitor a sense of remoteness, tranquillity, romanticism and mystery, a short trip to Medvegrad makes for a relaxing journey through medieval history.
Zagreb?s Bishop Filip built the Medvedgrad fortress in the 13th century, after King Bela IV granted him a deed authorising its construction. The fortress on Medvednica had great strategic significance. It could be easily defended during times of war, and it was situated near the west border of the Hungarian-Croatian state. The double-ringed protective walls were impressively high and thick and the strong towers, together with the well-defended accesses and entrances to the town, show what a well-organised defence structure this really was. Access is possible only from the north, where the entrance to the town is located. From the first gateway, there is a long, narrow, funnel-shaped corridor between the inside and outside ring-like walls leading to the second gateway, emerging on an area of open space. If an invader managed to get past all of this, he would be surprised by yet another door. All these facts were no secret to potential invaders, so Medvegrad has not seen many attempts at invasion in its history.
From the time Medvedgrad was built and throughout the following seven centuries, it had a total of 107 owners. Until the 16th century, it was owned by several distinguished noble families, such as Bela IV, Dra?ković, Gregorijanec, Radić, Zrinski, Andrija III, Zagreb Kaptol, and King Matija? Korvin.
When Bishop Filip became Archbishop in Ostrogon in 1262, the king 'temporarily' took Medvedgrad from the Diocese, installed his own garrison, and allegedly stored his treasure there.
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