Next to the Church of St. George in Gornja Stubica stands the 400-year-old Gubec Linden Tree, the only living witness of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1573. Today, the linden tree is 9 m high, with a trunk diameter of 4.70 m. Due to its age and dimensions it presents a natural rarity.
In 1957, the linden tree was declared a natural monument and placed under state protection as a cultural monument.
In order to preserve the gene pool of the Gubec Linden Tree, the Living archive of the Gubec Linden Tree was established in 2011.
Valley Zelenjak is the part of the pass between the river Sutla and Risvica and Cesargrad Mountain reefs. The total area of this significant landscape is now 287 hectares, and it is protected as a natural rarity and as a reserve of natural area – forest park and memorial nature monument. Diversity of habitats enabled this relatively small area to reveal the rich floral and animal life with many endangered species.
The one who wants to learn more about this part of Zagorje heritage could head on to the educational and hiking paths to Risvica mountain or Cesargrad mountain with educational tables on the vegetation, animal life, geological structure and other interesting things of this area.
Sports – recreational lake Jarki is an interesting ecological site that can be reached by a pleasant walk over the historical hill Kapelšćak, then over the forest road to the tamed place Jarki. Here, surrounded by forests of Nature Park Medvednica, lies the lake, with 271 m length and 54 m width. The lake is used for recreational and pleasant stay in nature, fishing tourism and needs of school in nature.
Sports fishing club “Stubaki” manages the lake, so that the sports fishermen learn to care about water protection and fish reserves, fish farming and ranching, education of young people about the management of fishing waters and sports ethics.
The hiking-educational trail along its length of 13,7 km shows all the beauties of Radoboj and Croatian Zagorje. On the area of the whole trail there are more than 30 different sorts and subtypes of orchids.
The trail is decorated to attract the visitors – nature lovers of varying ages and interests with the goal of education, recreation, raising level of ecological awareness as well as preservation of valuable habitats and kinds, and the overall prosperity of the local community through sustainable tourism.
Along the trail there are 11 educational tables with information about plants, animal world, fossil and mineral wealth and other interesting facts.
The Sopotnica creek descends from a cave into a pond about 1 m deep with a waterfall from 2 m in height and continues to flow peacefully under the bridge, with depths so that one can cross it. The story goes that there used to be a devil in there and people were afraid to go that route, so they built a statue of St. Michael, the protector of the caves and the only one able to resist the devil. Through the stream, people passed on from generation to generation, 200 years ago there was a red fire that burned.
Still, science can explain everything, so the red color comes from the red sky at sunset, and the noise of waterfalls and rocks is called. devilish action. The place is a true pearl of nature.
The Cesargrad castle is situated northwest of the town of Klanjec, on the western side of the Cesargrad Hill, overlooking the Sutla River. Nowadays it stands at the very border of Croatia and Slovenia, with the castle of Kunšperk located on the latter side.
Cesargrad was first mentioned in 1399, when it was given to Count Herman of Celje by king Sigismund. After the family became extinct in 1456, it shifted from one Styrian and Slavonian owner to another, finally passing down to the Erdödy family by the late 15th century. On January 29th 1573, the fortress suffered an attack by peasant troops during the Great Peasants’ Revolt. The Erdödy family renovated Cesargrad after that.
The Medvednica mountain, covered with thick forests of beech, oak, chestnut and fir, is the most favorite excursion spot for the people of Zagreb. There are many hiking trails along Medvednica, both “easy” ones, with benches and educational facilities, and more difficult ones for more physically fit mountaineers.
One of the most favorite destinations on Medvednica is the medieval fortress Medvedgrad, on a hill in the middle of a dense forest, only half an hour walk from the last town houses. Medvednica also hides other attractions, such as gorges, caves, waterfalls, old mines and picturesque churches. Most visitors gather around its top, Sljeme, with the TV tower.
The old yew tree near the top of the Horvat’s stairs on Medvednica is protected by the Nature protection law as a nature monument – a single tree.
It is one of the oldest specimens of this sort in Croatia. The circumference of the tree in the chest height is 180 cm, without the top. With its interesting appearance, it completes the surrounding rocky environment in a picturesque way.
The Chapel of St. Vitus in Komor is in the Gothic style. It was mentioned for the first time in the census from 1334, and the current chapel was built in the same place around 1630. The main altar is dedicated to Saint Vid from 1718. It has been completely renovated since 2000.
Gorjani is a significant monumental Gothic church (under reconstruction) built on a plateau of hills (463 meters above sea level) northeast of Radoboj. From the church itself there is an impressive view of the greater part of Zagorje, and north to the interesting forms of the Strahinjčica mountain and east to the Ivančica hill.
This very high hill (499m ASL) is situated north of Vinagora. It can be reached on asphalt road on the side of Poredje, Druškovec or the side of Vinagora, Desinić. The top of the hill is dominated by high wooden cross (in memory of all victims for Our Beautiful Homeland). From that spot there are views to all sides – to north and west on the Zagorje hills and Slovenia (Donačka gora, Boč, Rogaška Slatina, and in nice weather even up to far Savinja Alps), south and east to the sea of green Zagorje hills up to Strahinjčica, Ivančica and Sljeme.
The old Romans, when passing, saw the warm, crystal clear and drinking water surfacing, and they called it Aquae Vivae, the living water.
Kunagora is a destination for mountaineers, hikers and other groups, rich in plant, animal and geological treasures. It is also a significant site of ammonites, which originate from the Middle Triassic and are approximately 240 million years old.
There is also a mountain lodge on Kunagora, with the shrine of Our Lady of Kunagora and an airstrip for hang gliders – paragliders. From the terrace of the mountain lodge there is a view of the entire city. It can be reached on foot; the route starts behind the “Zagorje Cathedral” itself with the hiking “Way of the Cross”
This 9m high wooden pyramid was built in 1954. It has a prominent elevation height of 350m and is frequently enjoyed by many visitors, mostly students of the nearby school and mountaineers. From the top, according to the locals, the lights of the mountain houses on the peaks of the Alps could be seen on beautiful nights.
In winter it serves hunters. In 2007, the students and teachers of the Hrašćina Elementary School tried to revive the lookout and the memory of the founder – teacher Pipinic – by establishing the educational path “Pipinic’s Way”, with signs, signposts with eco-commands, safety warning on the lookout, info cabinet on the lookout, benches and stump table) and two boxes.
Three Kings Church is situated on a picturesque hill southeast of Tuheljske Toplice. It can be accessed on an asphalt road that branches off from the road Mokrice – Kumrovec, 2 km before Tuheljske Toplice. On the hill there is a baroque church of the Three Kings. From the church there is a magnificent view over the green hills and valleys to Sljeme, Tuheljske Toplice, Cesargrad mountain and Zagorje hills.
“When walking on the trails of Kunagora you will feel the true spirit of Croatian Zagorje, meet rebellious Gubec, Kovačić’s “Loafer”, unhappy Veronika Desinička, hear the ballads of Petrica Kerempuh and take a look at Leskovar’s ruined palaces.” (-Š. Dimač, Croatian mountaineer 12/2007)
