History

The Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski was established on 10 March 1995.

Nikola Šubić Zrinski (24 December 1542 – 27 December 1556) was a Croatian-Hungarian nobleman and general, Ban of Croatia from 1542 until 1556, royal master of the treasury from 1557 until 1566, and a descendant of the Zrinski and Kurjaković noble families. During his lifetime the Zrinski's became the most powerful noble family in the Kingdom of Croatia.

Zrinski became well known across Europe for his involvement in the Siege of Szigetvár (1566), where heroically died stopping Ottoman Empire's Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's advance towards Vienna. Zrinski became considered a role model of a faithful and sacrificial warrior.

The Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is awarded to Croatian and foreign nationals for a deed of valour in war, under the circumstances of an immediate threat of war or under special circumstances in peace.

The badge of the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is made of silver, 45mm in diameter.

Superimposed on the blue square is a red enameled square bearing the gilded effigy of Nikola Šubić Zrinski with a raised sabre in his right hand.

On the reverse of the badge are the inscriptions: „NIKOLA ŠUBIĆ ZRINSKI“and „REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA“ encircled by three-stranded braiding, a screw with a nut for fastening the badge and original number of the Order.

The small decoration ribbon of the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is a 35 by 14 mm ribbon made of silk moire rep in the colours of the national flag (red – white – blue) to which is fastened the miniature of the Order, 14 mm in diameter.

The miniature of the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is a miniaturized forging of the medallion of the Order, 17 mm in diameter, suspended from a 12 mm wide ribbon in the colours of the national flag (red – white – blue).
The Order was designed by Stipe Sikirica, and made by IKOM, Zagreb, Croatia.

The box for the Order is blue with the golden Croatian coat of arms and inscription written in two lines „REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA” on the cover of the box. On the inside of the cover of the box, on white silk, is inscription written in gold in three lines: „RED NIKOLE ŠUBIĆA ZRINSKOG“.

When the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is presented, beside the decoration itself the written certificate is also given. The certificate is signed by the President of the Republic of Croatia.