The public school in Veliko Trgovišće was built in 1891, and one of its students was the first president of the Republic of Croatia, Franjo Tuđman.

Dr. Franjo Tuđman was born in Veliko Trgovišće on May 14, 1922, in a rural family of moderate financial status. Franjo’s teacher lived in his mother’s house, but witnesses say that this fact didn’t afford young Franjo any privileges. On the contrary, more was expected of him than from other children. From Franjo’s school records, it is evident that he was an excellent student, with a very good grade only in “conduct.” His contemporaries described Franjo as intelligent, well-read, and sharp, yet lively, restless, and an overly curious boy. After completing primary school, Franjo Tuđman left his hometown and went to study in Zagreb.

The memorial school “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” was renovated in 2008. On the ground floor of the building is a gallery of paintings by renowned Croatian artists, and on the first floor there is a replica of the memorial classroom attended by Franjo Tuđman as a child.