Banski Dvori: Construction, Renovations, Investors

Sa？etak Banski Dvori (Ban’s Palace) originally included a building on the south side of the west perimeter of St. Mark’s Square in Zagreb. This location was occupied by the house of count Petar Zrinski in the 17th century, along with a few other houses, an armoury and St. Ursula’s Chapel. The area was rebuilt and upgraded after 1766 by count Petar Troilo Sermage, who established a magnificent baroque palace facing the square. Further renovations followed at the beginning of the 19th century, when the palace became the seat of ban Ignjat Gyulay, due to which it was further rebuilt and redesigned in 1808 –11 by architect van Eyther and thence titled “Banski Dvori”. During ban Franjo Vla？i？’s rule in 1832–40, the neighbouring Rauch Palace, bordering to the north, was added to the complex, which was greatly enlarged as a result and converted to government offices on the basis of designs by architect Ludwig Berger. The renowned ban Ivan Ma？urani？ had the complex further upgraded in 1875–82, separating the ban’s office and apartment located in the south palace from the government offices in the north palace, where he also built two new wings. Major refurbishments followed in the time of ban Nikola Toma？i？ in 1910–12, and again in the 1940s, when several new staircases were added. The multi-layered architectural complex underwent its most significant changes during the times of some notable political figures, and has therefore maintained its stately appearance