Prokleti grad: Maledictum castrum Medved

Velimir Deželić senior (1864–1941) published the novel The Cursed City (subtitled Maledictum castrum Medved) in the edition of the Library of Good Novels of the Croatian Literary Society of St. Jerome. The work is a classic Croatian historical novel from the beginning of the 20th century, set in Zagreb and its surroundings in the 15th century.

The novel depicts a turbulent period in Croatian history – a time of conflict between noble families, episcopal authorities and the libertarian bourgeoisie of Zagreb Gradec. The central place is occupied by the Medvedgrad fortress, whose dark legend and sinister atmosphere run through the entire work. The author skillfully combines historical events with fiction, depicting political intrigues, betrayals, power struggles and everyday life in medieval Zagreb.

Two lines of the novel (historical-political and love) unite around the characters of the girl Janja and her fates. Deželić emphasizes the ideals of civil freedom, Croatian patriotism and resistance to feudal tyranny. The style is typical of the period: dynamic, romantic, with rich descriptions of landscapes and vivid dialogues.

The novel was very popular in its time among readers looking for national-historical fiction. Today it is appreciated as an interesting depiction of Zagreb's medieval past and as part of Deželić's opus of historical novels (along with In the Service of the Caliph, The First King, etc.).

The work is typical of Croatian historical prose from the early 20th century – romantic, patriotic and instructive.