Katarina Zrinski

Katarina Zrinski, a noblewoman, writer, and heroine, known as the most illustrious daughter of the Croatian people, as Eugen Kumičić called her, was born in the Frankopan castle in Bosiljevo as Ana Katarina Frankopan, the daughter of Vuk II Krsto Frankopan Tržački, from whom she inherited courage, determination, and a sense of justice.

The Frankopans, a powerful and wealthy family, provided Katarina with a thorough education. Education and knowledge of Latin, Italian, Hungarian, and German languages. With a lively spirit and curiosity, she mastered the skills of horse riding, hunting, and archery with her brothers. Through her father’s conversations, she learned about the strategy of defending the borders, listened to stories from the battlefield, and his diplomatic travels across Europe. She remembered her father’s fervent efforts to preserve the liberated territory from constant Turkish invasions and the balancing act between the Habsburgs and the Venetians.

She married very young, in 1643, to Count Petar IV Zrinski (1621-1671). He frequently had to be away because of almost continuous unrest on the Croatian borders, and for the safety of their four children, they often changed their place of residence in Ozalj, Čakovec, and Novi Vinodolski. During rare periods of peace, Katarina and Petar maintained close connections with the most educated people of their time. According to the family tradition, their court was a center of culture and art, love for the Croatian language and literature. Learned debates were held in the Zrinski castles, and There was talk about promoting literacy and reading, something Katarina was particularly involved in.

She was a constant support and advisor to her husband in all matters of life. She skillfully took over the management of their estates, visiting properties and making decisions autonomously whenever necessary. She was remembered as a person with a sense of justice and therefore beloved in all layers of society. During disputes, both nobles and commoners turned to her with great trust. She cared for the most vulnerable, protected widows with children and the poorest serfs. But she didn’t stop at helping individuals…

On two occasions, she signed documents regarding the rights of the population and the regulation of communal obligations titled: Old Rights and Obligations and Lists. It is presumed that she composed them herself.

Unusually for a woman of that time, she was well informed about social and political events and together with her husband made political decisions. She traveled a lot and led diplomatic missions. She engaged in negotiations with the French, Hungarian, and Polish ambassadors, as well as prominent and influential government officials. Tirelessly, she supported her husband’s anti-Habsburg policy, for which he was accused and executed in Vienna Neustadt in 1671 for organizing a conspiracy against Habsburg rule. Together with Catherine’s brother, Fran Krsto Frankopan, the last male descendant of the renowned Frankopan family on Croatian soil, who also met his demise. They were stripped of all their possessions, and Catherine was exiled to a Dominican convent in Graz, where she spent the last three very difficult years of her life. Isolated from the outside world, deprived of rights, and in poverty, her only solace was a notebook in which she wrote poems. Thus, a collection of poetry of significant literary value was created, which also marked her as our greatest writer and poet of the 17th century. Thanks to her vibrant spirit, talent, and dedicated work for the common good, she is remembered in Croatian history as a Example of a persistent woman in honor and courage.

Sani, don’t cry without hope anymore
the time and joy will come to you
your perseverance, loyalty, and pure thinking
will find mercy from God, believe me…

Turn around, oh man,
Turn around, you’ve had enough
You’ve been wandering, you unbeliever,
Because of your simple way of living
Leave the wrong paths forever,
Ah, the glory of your salvation,
And go away from eternal damnation.
This, my dear friend and duke,
I recommend to you with love,

Who wants to bring you back
Believe my words…

Be my witness, heavenly heights,
The terrifying depths of the wide sea.
You fields and mountains, fires and winds
So that I can lament even more.

But, Almighty God, I will still pray to you,
Do not let me dwell in sorrow
But strengthen me before I lay in the grave
Never let my name be taken away from me.

I can speak the truth before God and the world
that I consider this as my greatest pride
that I have not submitted to the yoke of love
but have always lived in true honesty.

The Creator has brought me great joy,
Beautiful… I am nourished by the one who donated me
With a good reputation throughout the world I am known
With whom I may be buried in the ground.

Blessed are those who live content
With what God has endowed them with
Who knows how to keep their thoughts under lock and key
And never let them soar into the sky.

The lyrics are taken from the books:
– Ana Katarina Zrinski, Songbook, published by Matica hrvatska 2014, edited by Josip Bratulić
– Mirica Rapić, Prayer book Companion of Katarina Zrinski and other prayer books of the Zrinski-Frankopan family.