Zagorje

The Krapina-Zagorje County comprises north-western part of Republic of Croatia, the northern part of Krapina-Zagorje County borders on Slovenia, its eastern part on Varaždin County, wheras its “forhead” leans against the Zagreb County.

That relatively small piece of land boasts an extraordinary rich history and cultural heritage. No other part of Croatia can offer that many medieval castles and fortifications, churches and abbeys, and archeological sites that attract visitors.

THINGS TO SEE

Kumrovec is a picturesque village. The major attraction of Kumrovec is the Ethnological Museum Staro Selo (Old Village). So far 40-odd houses and other farm-stead facilities have been restored, which makes Staro Selo the most attractive place of this kind in Croatia. Visitors may see permanent ethnological exhibitions such as the Zagorje-style Wedding, the Life of Newly-weds, From Hemp to Linen, Blacksmith’s Crafts, Cart-wright’s Craft, Pottery, From Grain to Bread, etc. A special attraction of the village is the birth house of the president of former Yugoslavia – Josip Broz Tito, with a monument. This area is known by many monuments, like the stone obelisk, on which is carved the text anthem of Croatia’s “Lijepa naša” of the poet Antun Mihanović.
The fort of Veliki Tabor is one of the most important cultural and historical monuments of secular architecture in continental Croatia, with a unique monumental and authentic fortification structure.
Castle Trakošćan’s cultural heritage, is protected as a historical entity, which consists of the castle, the building next to the castle, park and forest park with a lake. Today the castle is one of the few facilities in Croatia with preserved its own constitution, historically closely related to the architectural framework and the life of its owners. Trakoscan was built in the late 13th century, and according to legend, Trakoscan was named after the Thracian fortress (ARX Thacorum) which allegedly existed in antiquity. Another preserved legend says, it is named after the knights Drachenstein who in the early Middle Ages, ruled the region. In 1954 the museum was established with a permanent exhibition. Today the castle is owned by the Republic of Croatia.
Marija Bistrica a village on the northern slopes of Medvednica Mountain in Hrvatsko Zagorje. This settlement named Bistrica was mentioned in 1202. Its present name Marija Bistrica was given in 18th century after the discovery of the amazing statue of God’s Mother, when Marija Bistrica became the most important holly place of Croats. The Bishops conference established Marija Bistrica in 1971 as the national shrine and determinate the date 13th July to be the Holiday Mother of God of Bistrica. The most important day of Marija Bistrica is the visit of Pope on 3rd October 1998, when approx. one million people participated in the ceremony of blessing of Cardinal Alois Stepinac given by the Pope John Paulus II.
Krapina – the town is the centre and capital of the district with the hundreds year old tradition. In 1899, on a hill called Hušnjak near modern Krapina, the archaeologist and paleontologist Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger found over eight hundred fossil remains belonging to Neanderthals. Moreover, these fossil remains are said to exhibit traces of cannibalism.

LOCAL SPECIALTIES

Zagorje Turkey with Mlinci, Štrukli – Cheese filled pastry, Zagorje soup, Pork tenderloin Stubica, Zagorje kotlovina

All of the local attractions are provided with certificated onsite partners (guides, restaurants and other) and can be done upon your request (tailor-made).
For more information, destination, price, or more contact us via contact form or call us on +385 (0)98 302464