Whether you're from Zagreb or you're traveling here for an extended period, you might want to see something outside Zagreb, but you're not sure which location might be worth your time. Well, if you ask me, here's one worth checking out. What you might not know is that the first written evidence of Radoboj county date back to 1334, but the region started to develop seriously around 1811. The Radoboj county is located about one hour drive from the Zagreb center, but it's a trip worth taking. The county with a population of just over three thousand people holds many curiosities and attractions.

Because of my obligations, and my line of work, I rarely get the chance to travel, so I find these shorter tours a great reason to get out of the city, to mix up my surroundings a bit. A real opportunity for a quality city break. So what is there to see in Radoboj?

The Radboa Museum

The museum named after the county of the same name is an actual monument of the identity built on the heritage of the Radoboj county in the Croatian Zagorje. Besides its cultural value, Radoboj is an important sulfur finding site. It's so important, it's one of the most significant ore sites of that type, in the world. But enough about boring technicalities, let's talk about its fascinating history. The reason I mentioned the ore finding places, is to make an analogy. Radoboj is also historically famous as a true crossroads of excellent scientists. It's the world's richest deposit of the fossil flora, fossiled bugs, fish, and shells which all confirm that Radoboj was once a place where the Pannonian sea was. One of the most significant findings is a grapevine fossil somewhere between 12 and 14 million years old, making it the oldest fossil of its kind in entire Europe. Those kinds of minerals such as ants, crickets and flower wasps are incredibly rare, making this collection extra valuable. All of this and much more is incorporated into a permanent exhibition of the Radboa museum. 

Photo Credit: Arhiva Muzeja Radboa

The fact that the whole museum is conceptualized as a unique story is something that caught my eye the most.  While entering the museum, you're entering a chronological sequence which starts with an introductory film about the ancient animal world of the Pannonian underworld. The movie makes you feel like you're a part of that movie too. Using multimedia tools such as tablets and LCD touchscreens, the museum will expose you to an array of the museum collection. The things I noted here are just some of the fantastic innovations making the whole experience of visiting Radboa, a truly unique one. 

Photo Credit: Arhiva Muzeja Radboa

Besides all this, I also heard the people from the museum mentioning that they often have some educational activities realized through lectures, workshops, as well as in-field activities. They continued talking about so many extracurricular activities I lost track, and couldn't possibly repeat all of the things they have to offer for schools. On top of all things mentioned, the museum contents are most certainly interesting to some expert groups interested in industrial history, rich archeological finding sites and pristine fossils that could be seen only here. 

Radoboj county tourist hike

Visiting a county which is an hour drive from Zagreb just because they have one fantastic museum is a waste of time, no matter how beautiful that museum is. Well, give me another chance to change your mind as there is much more Radoboj has to offer. Besides its diverse and exciting landscape, Radoboj is a county with a vibrant tourist offer if we take the number of habitats into account. That landscape reminds of a troubled sea surface which, I think additionally proves that this county was once a place where the Pannonian sea was. 

Photo Credit: Markus Studio

True flower lovers will be impressed with the orchid pathways which will provide a true getaway from the city noise and haste. And every good vacation isn't complete without the food. Don't even get me started on the food. Beautifully simple, yet amazing desserts alone are something worth coming for. As the locals say, the skillful and witty women from Zagorje are the ones worthy for these works of art laid on the dining table. 

Photo credit: Markus Studio

Believe it or not, this is not where the diligent people from Radoboj think they're done. They are also planning two additional tourist attractions deeply rooted in the customs of the local people. Those two customs are going to be nurtured through the house of the famous Zagorje Štrukli which is the first dish every Croat will think of when you ask him to name some national dishes. Where there is good food, there's also good wine, and that is what the second house will be dedicated to, grapevine. The three-dimensional blueprints for those are already prepared, they're just waiting to be built wich, knowing the industrious people of Radoboj, is going to happen soon. 

Header Image Credit: Markus Studio

Author: Tibor Trupec