Medvedgrad

thumb|The model of Medvedgrad thumb|left|Medvedgrad from uphill Medvedgrad (; Croatian for bear-town; ) is a medieval fortified town located about 10 km north of Zagreb, on the south slopes of Medvednica mountain, approximately halfway from the Croatian capital Zagreb to the mountain top Sljeme. For defensive purposes it was built on a hill, Mali Plazur, that is a spur of the main ridge of the mountain that overlooks the city. On a clear day the castle can be seen from far away, especially the high main tower. Below the main tower of the castle is Oltar Domovine (Altar of the homeland) which is dedicated to Croatian soldiers killed in the Croatian War of Independence. The altar of the homeland, made by the sculptor Kuzma Kovačić, was opened by Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tuđman, May 30, 1994.

==Etymology== The name Medvedgrad in Croatian is a compound word consisting of medved — the Kajkavian dialectal variant of Standard Croatian medvjed — meaning "bear" and grad, meaning "town, city" today, but it used to mean a fortified castle. It can be roughly translated as "Beartown", "Bear City", or more accurately "Bear Castle".