Destination Croatian Zagorje

The Krapina-Zagorje County is settled in the north-west part of Croatia and belongs to the middle part of Croatia. It is a special geographical unit, bounded with Macelj and Ivančica from the north and Medvednica from the south-east. Western border, with Slovenia, is actually the river Sutla, and eastern border divides the basin of Krapina and Lonja rivers. Delimited county area assorts with the natural region of Donje Zagorje.

The Krapina-Zagorje county borders with: -Republic Slovenia and Varaždin county on the north-side; Republic Slovenia on the west-side; with Zagreb city and Zagreb county on the south-side; with Zagreb and Varaždin county on the east side.

By its size, it’s one of the smaller counties (1224,22 km2) but it has greater demographical meaning because its population of 122 inhabitants per km2 is over the state average which is 84 inhabitants per km2, so it is, with Međimurje county and Varaždin county, the most densely populated area in Croatia.

Krapina-Zagorje County has a quality basis for the development of those forms of tourism which correspond to its geographical and cultural-historical conditions.

Croatian Zagorje and its famous hills, called “zagorski bregi”, attract and invite to spend peaceful moments in nature.

The region of Zagorje is well known for its forests, springs and culinary delicacies.

No one remains indifferent when he sees the endless vineyards of Zagorje located on gentle green slopes.

Zagorje is best known for one of the most significant world localities of Neanderthals, “Hušnjakovo”, where the remains of the Krapina prehistoric man are found.

The new museum of the Krapina prehistoric man is called Neandertalland and it is opened in the beginning of 2010.

Zagorje treasures numerous of historical stories and folk legends.

Croatian Zagorje has many thermal springs which are known since the time when the Roman armies ruled this territory.

Most famous springs in Zagorje are:

• Stubičke Toplice – Terme Jezerčica,
• Tuheljske Toplice – Terme Tuhelj,
• Varaždinske Toplice i
• Krapinske Toplice.

Throughout the history, when there was a great danger from the Turks, many people rushed into the safe embrace of Zagorje. The nobility, which was mostly moved to the Zagorje region, began to build castles, and today Trakošćan and Veliki Tabor are the most famous ones.

The Hellenbach castle is located near Marija Bistrica in Hrvatsko Zagorje. It’s one of the few castles which manage to keep the way of life and its historical ambient from the 19th century. It was built in the classicistic style, in 1786.

Beside the castles and the noble families that built them, the county is known for many historical events, sights and famous person who are on the national and international level of importance.