Hrvatsko Zagorje
Croatia, Zagorje, Krapina
Hrvatsko Zagorje is cultural-historic Croatian region and special natural and geographical unit in northwest part of Croatia, Hrvatsko Zagorje hides huge tourist potential, from preserved nature, tame hills who guards many healing thermal water sources, churches, castles and parks to old hiža`s who lure with its authenticity. And thats the reason why this region is more and more recognizable on Croatian tourist map. Touristic potential of Zagorje is big and varied, which is why it became leading destination of Croatias continental tourism.
Located on the contact of Alps, internal Dinarides and Pannonian space so tectonical it is quite complicated, which affects relatively alive tectonic activity. That way streches several fault lines along which incurred numerous hot springs which are touristically valorise. Most famous among many spa resorts are Stubičke, Krapinske, Tuheljske. Also, there`s rich cultural and historical heritage: burgs, castels, churches and other. From numerous number of burgs and castles, most famous are castle Trakošćan and Veliki Tabor. The most famous pilgrimage center in Croatia is Marija Bistrica, and center of pilgirmage tourism also includes Trški Vrh at Krapina and Vinagora at Pregrade. Tourist attraction contribute foundings of Krapina`s early man and etno village in Kumrovec, and near by Klanjac is Zelenjak, Sutla rivers gorge, where is monument to Croatian hymn.
Cultural heritage of feudalism on this area indicates fund of arhitecture of numerous castles which are merged with the idyllic nature landscape. Nowhere in Croatia and not much in world are that many castles on one place. Thick walls kept secrets of love. Medieval architectural pearl of Zagorje – a fairy tale in your palm, Dvor Veliki Tabor, castle Gjalski and Castle Mihanović are today restaurants and hotels with preserved spirit of antique, castle Oršić, built in 18th century is todays Muzej seljačkih buna (Museum of peasant revolt) and monument to Matija Gubec.
Oldest tracks of population in Zagorje dates from Paleolithic. In 1897, around Krapina, remains of „Krapina Neanderthal“ from Old stone age were found. A veriety of pottery fragments, stone mold for casting, bronze axes and traces of dwellings clearly indicate that there was permanent form of life in restricted area od town Krapina in distant prehistory. Finding od „Krapina Neanderthal“ is one of the biggest in Europe. On Hušnjak hill near Krapina were found remains of cave man who was familiar with fire and lived from hunting.
Zagorje is building its competitiveness on offers of autochthonous, quality and eco grown products. Institutions, County, towns and municipality, tourist bord of county, towns and municipality are support to develope Zagorje as unique and recognizable tourist destination.
