The Museums of Krapina-Zagorje Croatia

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The Museums of Krapina-Zagorje Croatia

The Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje is an umbrella institution of five museums in Krapina-Zagorje County which include a variety of collections and interesting national and international projects managed by a professional staff; their energy and efforts in interactive museum programs them among the most visited in Croatia. 

The Peasant Uprising Museum in Gornja Stubica

Opened in 1973, it is housed in an 18^th Century manor house, built next to a medieval fortress now in ruins. The permanent exhibition gives an interesting cultural and historical survey of the region from the 14^th century till the abolishment of the feudal system in 1848. The 18^th century is depicted with an interior reflecting the time of the manor’s builder - Counts Oršić. Visitors can learn something about the construction of late-medieval castles, arms and armor.

The Peasant Revolt of 1573, led by national hero Matija Gubec, became a synonym of fighting for just causes and efforts to fight for justice against tyrants of any kind. Documents, posters, models and maps are representative the true history, in ways that can be perceived today. After the 16^th century, an extremely difficult time for Croatia and its inhabitants, mostly marked by battles with the Turks, a more peaceful period came in 17^th and 18^th century. Numerous manors houses were built, not for military purposes but as comfortable dwellings. The ways of the nobles’ changed, as documented by numerous everyday items.

The exhibition concludes with the theme of the Croatian National Revival and the Viceroy’s proclamation that abolishes peasantry in Croatia.

Personalized Museum Itineraries

The "Old Village" Museum in Kumrovec

A unique open-air museum in Croatia - is an ethnographical museum in situ, famous for its thirty vernacular buildings, preserved or restored, where the museum exhibitions are staged. In the 1950s, a comprehensive ethnographic research of Kumrovec surroundings and nearby villages by the famous Croatian ethnologist Mirjana Gušić paved the way for the first museum of this kind in Croatia.

Traditional Life in the Sutla area as it was at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The President of former Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, was born in Kumrovec; his family household is situated on the village outskirts and contains historical and ethnological displays.

The museum shows objects thematically exhibited according to various crafts and customs typical of the Hrvatsko Zagorje region and is one of the most active promoters of traditional crafts in the country; the Center for Traditional Crafts and Skills preserves this heritage.

Also, in Kumrovec, Four Seasons in a Museum with winter by a warm fire and the smell of bread in ovens, springtime by listening to bee buzzing, then a relaxing summer in the shadow of orchards and finally autumn with its rich colors and fruits.

The Antun Augustinčić Gallery in Klanjec

Established in 1970 when Antun Augustinčić, the distinguished Croatian sculptor, donated his sculptural oeuvre, assembled during 50 years of work. Known for his monumental sculptures - The Peace in front of the UN building in New York and The Monument to the Peasant Uprising and Matija Gubec in Gornja Stubica, he is presented here as a master of intimate sculpture, especially female and children nudes and torsos, as well as strong, psychologically determined and sculpturally expressive portraits.

The Gallery creates an atmosphere where you can establish a personal contact with these works of art. The permanent display has two units: the indoor exhibition - thematically divided into intimate sculpture, portraits and public monuments - and an outdoor one with the park of sculptures. During a stroll in the park, abundant with fountains, the lively gestures of a bronze boy show how figurative art can be still appealing.

Veliki Tabor Castle

One of the best preserved late medieval castles in Croatia. Built by the royal owners and then given to the noble Rattkay family in the 16^th century, it remained their estate till 1793. The oldest part of the complex was used as a residence and for defense. The semi-circular towers were built when firearms became an important element of warfare.  

A newly renovated part and the central tower opened to the public in 2011 with the exhibitions: Veliki Tabor in the Light of Discovery and Age of Fortifications – Fort Vrbovec. They give general information on the history of the castle, their owners but also about the vast archaeological and  restoration work of the site and in the surroundings.

Architecture seen from a distance or from a spot in front of the entrance gate, the massive towers and high walls are equally impressive. Beautiful views open on all sides to picturesque scenery of the region. You can escape to the past undisturbed and return enriched with the romantic experience of the former times.

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The Krapina Neanderthals Museum “Hušnjakovo”

The most famous site of Neanderthal man in the world due to its rich and most varied fossil collection. It is protected as the first paleontological nature monument in Croatia.

The Museum of the Krapina Neanderthals opened in 2010. The architecture and display were made according to a project conceived and realized by Željko Kovačić and Jakov Radovčić. A fascinating journey into the past helps you understand why Krapina is one of the most famous Palaeolithic sites in the world. 

The exposition contains elaborate multimedia and settings which bring the story of Man closer to the public. Visitors meet different themes in each segment of the display following the timeline of creation.

An unforgettable experience awaits all explorers who venture into the museum

The site in Krapina is a story about the beginning of humanity, about distant prehistoric times, still unveiled and unexplored. About nine hundred human fossil bones, numerous stone tools from the Palaeolithic era and fossil remains of animals have been found in the layers of the cave. This site is about 130 thousand years old.

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The Museums of Krapina-Zagorje in Croatia

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