Mrkopalj: Hotels and Accommodation

Mrkopalj combines a documented history of winter sports with religious and commemorative sites, as well as trails through natural and mountainous landscapes. Those wishing to book a hotel in Mrkopalj can then continue their accommodation search.

History and Culture

The present-day Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Mrkopalj was built between 1850 and 1854. Fortica above Crikvena in Mrkopaljsko polje is identified as Mrkopalj’s oldest small church; the excavated walls may date from the 13th or 14th century. The Historical-Ethnographic Collection of Mrkopalj was opened in 2017 on the first floor of the cultural centre and contains more than 550 historical photographs and around 200 old objects. Remains of the Karolina Road from 1732 can be found in Fajere.

Commemoration and Nature

Matić Poljana features a memorial row of 26 limestone rocks. It represents 26 Partisans who died in a snowstorm on 24 February 1944. Matić Poljana is a Natura 2000 site located entirely within the Municipality of Mrkopalj; the dry continental grasslands there are an important habitat for orchids. The annual Proštenje pilgrimage festival takes place on the third Sunday in September. The Peace Commemoration is held in Mrkopalj and has included a traditional peace marathon; one programme recorded its 43rd edition.

Hiking and Trails

HPS-certified guides from the local hiking club lead visitors through the Samarske Stijene sections of the MPP. The Mrkopalj Hiking Trail has eight checkpoints and offers a choice between more difficult and easier passages through the main rock groups. The “Little by little” hiking trail begins in the centre of Mrkopalj, leads through scenic surroundings to Begovo Razdolje and the Matić poljana memorial meadow. The return route follows a gravel road through the forest and via Tuk. The route is long, but is described as not very demanding.

Winter Sports

Mrkopalj’s documented winter sports history dates back to the beginnings of Croatian skiing: the first organised Croatian skiing course began there in 1913, a Croatian-Slavonian cross-country skiing championship was held in 1914, and Croatia’s first ski jump was built at Pod Vrhin in 1934.

The Croatian Biathlon Centre Zagmajna has 4.5 kilometres of prepared cross-country ski trails and a biathlon shooting range. The Croatian Cup, the Peace Commemoration and school sports competitions were held in Zagmajna.

Cycling Routes

A cycling map for Mrkopalj lists the routes Šume pjevaju, Široka draga, Vrelo and Rudine.

More local pages: Brestova Draga, Sunger and Tuk Vojni.

For the overarching travel overview: Municipality of Mrkopalj.