Town Varaždin is situated in the north-west of Croatia, 70 km north of Zagreb, and on the major Zagreb - Varaždin - Maribor - Vienna road.

It is one of the oldest towns in Croatia, first mentioned in 1181 under the name of "Garestin". Varaždin was the capital of Croatia from 1756 to 1776.

Varaždin has a unique cultural identity. It is a town of baroque architecture, music and flowers. Its cemetery is the most beautiful in Europe. The town is surrounded by lovely green countryside sprinkled with castles and other historic monuments.

Today its is a prosperous cultural and economic centre, constantly undergoing rapid development and becoming a true west-European town.

The population of Varaždin is about 50.000.