Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće

• The parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows is a single-nave building with neoclassical features.
• The dr. Franjo Tuđman Cultural Center opened in May 2024.
• The easy “Toma Gajdek” circular route passes through Veliko Trgovišće and its surroundings.
• The Zagorska Wine Road runs through the municipality; grape and wine festivals have traditionally been held there several times a year.

The parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows in Veliko Trgovišće was built between 1838 and 1876. Its single-nave design and neoclassical features describe its exterior; inside, the church is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ. If you are interested in sacred architecture and religious imagery, this offers a tangible cultural point of interest.

The restored birthplace of Franjo Tuđman is also part of the local landscape: it stands at the entrance to Veliko Trgovišće. Visiting hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00–16:00, and Sunday, 12:30–17:00. Another historical feature lies in the wider Veliko Trgovišće area: a prehistoric necropolis with earthen burial mounds. These measure 30 to 60 meters in diameter and 6 to 12 meters in height. The site is among the largest necropolises of this type discovered to date in northern Croatia.

The dr. Franjo Tuđman Cultural Center opened in May 2024 and hosts numerous music, film, literature, and gallery programs. Its range therefore extends beyond a single art form. Depending on your travel interests, you might consider whether cultural events or exhibitions should be part of your stay.

The Spomen škola “dr. Franjo Tuđman” houses a museum, a library, and a reading room. Together with the church and the birthplace, this makes for a culturally and historically themed range of sites. It is best to choose which places to include in your trip based on their respective visiting hours and your interests; the hours listed above apply to the birthplace.

The Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće extends westward from the right bank of the Krapina River. Important state roads run through the Krapina Valley. Route Ž-2196 follows the valley and was formerly known as the Zagorska magistrala. The Zagreb–Macelj motorway (E-59), part of the international Pyhrn Corridor, runs east of the municipality. This information helps place the municipality within its landscape and the transport routes mentioned.

If you would like to include a route in your stay, consider the “Toma Gajdek” circular route. It is described as easy and passes through Veliko Trgovišće and its surroundings; no route length is given here. The Jezero fishpond offers another local point of interest: it is managed by the Jezero Sport Fishing Association of Veliko Trgovišće.

The Zagorska Wine Road runs through the municipality. Grape and wine festivals are also traditionally held there several times a year, and visitors are welcome.

The Škalec rural tourism establishment offers Welsh Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon, and mixed white wine for tasting. Several named wines are therefore featured, while the wine festivals represent a distinct community tradition. Tasting wines at Škalec offers a way to experience a wine tradition that is also reflected in the municipality’s grape and wine festivals.

For a more detailed look at places within the municipality, you can also visit the pages for Dubrovčan and Veliko Trgovišće. Compare other municipal profiles at Municipality of Sveti Križ Začretje, Municipality of Gornja Stubica, Municipality of Stubičke Toplice, Municipality of Bedekovčina, Municipality of Hum na Sutli, and Municipality of Zabok.

When can the birthplace be visited?

Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 16:00, and Sunday from 12:30 to 17:00.

How is the “Toma Gajdek” route described?

It is an easy circular route through Veliko Trgovišće and its surroundings.

Which wines are available for tasting at Škalec?

Welsh Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon, and mixed white wine.

For the broader travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.