Čazma Town Museum (Gradski muzej Čazma)

The Gradski muzej Čazma is the local museum of Čazma, a small town on the river Česma in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, east of Zagreb. It occupies a long, low building on a grassy rise in the centre of town. The museum looks after the history of a place that was far more important in the Middle Ages than its size today suggests, and it has hosted art exhibitions such as the regional 'Slikari Moslavine' (Painters of Moslavina) show.

Čazma's importance began in the 13th century. Bishop Stjepan II of Zagreb (1227–1247) founded 'New Čazma' on the site of the present town and moved part of the diocese's administration here. In 1232 he set up the Collegiate Chapter of the Holy Spirit with twelve canons, who lived inside the town's fortress. The Dominicans arrived in 1229 and built their friary next to the church of St Mary Magdalene, the only church from the medieval records that still stands. The chapter lasted until 1537, when it was destroyed by Ottoman troops. Čazma fell under Ottoman rule in 1552, was the seat of a sanjak until 1595, and came back under Habsburg control with the Peace of Zsitvatorok in 1606.

The museum's own building turned out to be part of that story. In late April 2025, during groundwork for an energy renovation of the museum, workers uncovered the remains of a wall of the 13th-century bishop's fortress. The find confirmed that the episcopal stronghold lies under this part of town, and it has made the museum the obvious starting point for anyone curious about medieval Čazma.

A visit here combines well with St Mary Magdalene's church a short walk away, a Romanesque-Gothic building with later Baroque additions. Opening times are not published consistently, so contact the town or the tourist board before making a special trip.