Bliznec is a very old settlement. At
first it belonged to Medvedgrad, and in the middle of 13 century
Bela IV gave it to Dominicans (it was then called Blizna). On
Bliznec stream used to be a mill colony, where watermill trade
was passed on from one generation to another.
Forestry
Bliznec
Next to Bliznec stream, as the last house next to Sljeme road
where a steep climb towards the top of Medvednica begins is forestry
Bliznec, with headquarters of Public Institution “Nature Park
Medvednica”. Next to it is the Chapel of Mother of God of the
Road, a sacral object which spontaneously arose at the beginning
of the road.
Sawmill
Bliznec
Sawmill was built in 1898, bellow the first sharp curve of Sljeme
road, where steep rise up the hill begins, next to former towns
toll-house, which was renovated a couple of times, until it was
ruined during the II world war. Forestry Zagreb renovated it
in 1992 in a form of a small museum that contains of a turbine,
two closed wooden Venetian assembly lines, a machine for trimming
wooden material, and a machine for grinding saws. In the surroundings
is a resting place for play and study.
Forest
trail Bliznec
In 2001 Public institution “Nature Park Medvednica”, has launched
an initiative, obtained necessary documentation, and with the
help of its partners “Hrvatske šume” and “VIP-Net”, constructed
the first educational trail in Croatia which is completely adapted
for persons with all types of invalidity. The trail follows Bliznec
stream on Sljeme road on the part of the road from turning for
cable-way to sawmill Bliznec. The whole Croatian public recognized
the value of this project, and in 2002, for this achievement,
Public institution won a prize from Ministry of environment protection
and physical planning for achievement in the area of environment
protection.
Brestovac
Brestovac, former sanatorium for treating
tuberculosis, was built by county treasury for workers' insurance
in Zagreb in the period from 1907 to 1908 on the land which was
a gift from count Miroslav Kulmer. South side exposed to sun,
846 m elevation, which had an ideal position in the middle of
spacious forests, made that, at that time our unique sanatorium
for treating tuberculosis, famous. In the beginning it was envisaged
as a small sanatorium, but soon it became too small for a great
number of patients, so it was expanded two times. The very sanatorium
had the most modern equipment. For a long time its manager was
Dr. Milivoj Dežman known for his great love towards Ljerka Šram,
one of his patients.
In 1968, because of the new conditions
in the health service, and new ways of treating tuberculosis,
the hospital was closed down and soon after that devastated.
Cable-way (ZET)
Sljeme cable-way can be reached from
the center of Zagreb by tram no. 15 at Mihaljevac. On the last
tram stop, from the terminal, one passes a tunnel 200 m long
underneath Rebar spur. That tunnel was built in the middle of
last century, and was planned as a connection of Zagreb and Stubičke
toplice through Medvednica. From the tunnel, in a 10 minute walk,
one reaches the bottom station of Sljeme cable-way.
The cable-way runs every day, weekdays
from 8 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. and on weekend from 8 A.M. to 9 P.M.
, with departure every hour on the hour. The bottom station is
on elevation 330 m, and the upper 1000 m.
Činovnička meadow
Got its name after Činovnička climbers'
lodging, today's climbers' lodging «Željezničar» which was built
in 1928 as a lodging for Zagreb city's office workers, and which
is located below the meadow, at the intersection of Sljeme road.
Below the meadow, next to catering establishment «Stara lugarnica»
where used to be the old climbers' lodging “Tomislavac” (burned
down in 1934), there is a spring. A ski run called «White downhill»
goes across the meadow, and during the winter there are a lot
of skiers and sleigh riders here.
Forester's grave
Forester's grave is a rock and a spring
with a lovely surrounding where forester Albin Leustek wanted
to be buried. Since city council didn't allow it, he was buried
in the graveyard in Šestine. An access trail was made, and through
an easy hike one can reach climbers' lodging on Puntijarka.
Forestry's Christmas creche
Next to Forestry Sljeme, every Christmas
forestry's Christmas creche are placed. They are included in
Christmas creche catalog in Verona . According to the idea
of eng. Herbert Krauthacker they were sculpted by sculptor Željko
Belić.
French mines
French
mines are reminders of a mining enterprise which French count
Henrik Carion begun after his arrival in these parts after the
French revolution. Carion lived in Gornja Bistra, in counts Oršić
castle. A lot of money was invested in exploration work on digging
out lead sulphide, on building a road from Gornja Bistra to the
working place, and on building the miners colony. But, the mines
had a very small amount of silver, and the whole enterprise was
ruined. In time the mine fell into ruin, the walls collapsed,
and in 1954 Vlado Horvat rediscovered the mines. Today, French
mines are not adapted for visitors without special training.
Horvat's steps
In the period from 1946 and 1953, Mr.
Vladimir Horvat, journalist, publicist, photographer, mountaineer
and Medvednica lover, built 500 stone steps in at that time inaccessible
part of Medvednica. This location is especially interesting for
various carst formations in limestone terrain. Besides caves
and pits, one can find sink streams, rocks, sink-holes, cracks.
Horvat's steps are without doubt the most beautiful visitation
object on Medvednica built by human hand.
Horvat's steps are located beneath hotel
“Janica” and Rauch's forestry. The elevation distance between
the first and the last step is 117 m, and its horizontal distance
is about 300 m. While coming down the steps we will pass by Dwarf's
cave, sightseeing place with a little resting place from where
one can observe neighboring hills and part of Croatian zagorje
with the closest town Pila, a rock called My bow, Yew's abyss,
Medvednica cave, Small cave, and reach shore of Bistri jarek
stream where is a resting place “Strmec”. Every 50 th step is
marked by number.
Kraljičin zdenac
Kraljičin zdenac is located on elevation
of 529 m, and is one of the strongest springs of Kraljevac stream
(in the lower part of the stream it is called Medveščak). It's
name (Kraljičin zdenac = Queens well) origins from the legendary
Black queen, probably Barbara Celjska, king Sigismund's second
wife, who had here her homestead in the first half of 15 th century.
Before the World War I, count Kulmer from Šestine built forestry,
and a trout-farm beneath it. The spring has been a popular Zagreb
's resort since old times. The water temperature in the spring
is 10 ° C. Next to it there is a catering establishment. The
approach to the well is possible by educational trail Miroslavec
which begins at “Šestinski lagvić”.
Leustek's trail
Leustek's trail is named after its creator,
city forester eng. Albin Leustek, who, with this trail, wanted
to give hikers a short and pleasant approach to Sljeme. The trail
leads from the valley of Gračanac stream and western banks of
Rebro, than over Adolfovac to Railroaders home. Next to Leustek's
trail “Forestry Zagreb” placed panels with phytocenologic content.
Marija Snježna chapel
Marija Snježna chapel is a votive gothic
chapel of Čučerje parish. Somewhat lower, on the other side of
the road, there was an old chapel whose foundations can barely
be seen nowadays. Below the road, in a small cave there is a
freshwater spring. Above the chapel is Stražnjec peak (628 m)
with one of the most picturesque rocks of Medvednica from where
lays a beautiful view.
Medvedgrad
In 13 century, when Medvedgrad was built,
the most significant incident in Croatia was Tatars invasion,
which devastated this area and left a deep mark in the memory
of people of those days.
Medvedgrad, fortified feudal town, belonged
to a system of fortresses which were supposed to secure and prevent
yet another catastrophic ravage of Tatars troopers. It was built
on a hill Mali Plazur. Medvedgrad was built in a very short period
of time, and it marks itself with a high quality of construction.
High artistic level and quality of construction are witnesses
of a wealthy orderer.
Expert literature has a lot of dilemmas
regarding building of Medvedgrad, but it is certain that the
burg was completed in 1254. The initiative for construction gave
pope Inocent IV, and in those times Kaptol's Bishop was Filip,
king's confident and great constructor.
Although it was royally decorated, and
strongly fortified – with double defensive walls, armor, defender
towers, cistern, and chapel – Medvedgrad was never king's sanctuary,
and has never been under siege. It is considered that the most
valued building is an octagonal St. Filip and Jakov chapel with
stone corners, rosettes, and Romanic portal 3 m high. It had
many masters: from Croat – Hungarian kings and Zagreb 's Bishops,
to noblemen and canons. Those were: duke Koloman, Babonić's,
governor Mikac, King Žigmund, Bishop Eberhard, Celjski counts,
King Matija Korvin, duke Ivaniš Korvin, Juraj Branderbuški, Nikola
Zrinski, and the last masters were Gregorijan's.
Estate – owners lived of the estate
at the foot of Medvednica (Šestine, Blizna, Dedići etc.).
Gregorijan's, as last tenants but not
owners, as well, abandoned Medvedgrad and moved into a newly
built manor in Šestine just before the earthquake 1590. Medvedgrad
has never been renovated after that because new social conditions
reduced its strategic importance, but also because culture of
living changed. New ways of constructing, stiles in architecture,
and demands regarding the comfort of living made living in Medvedgrad
unnecessary and uncomfortable, and its renovation unjustifiable.
In 1974 began exploration and conservation
of walls, and reconstruction of certain parts. Within Medvedgrad
there is a sculpture of academy sculptor Kuzma Kovačić – The
homeland's altar.
Mountain mirror
The rock Mountain mirror is located
in the vicinity of the junction between Old and New stream, the
spring's meeting points of Trnava stream southwest of hill Ravno
(550 m). Mountain mirror is an open, horizontal, straight fault
area about 20 m high and 10 m wide. Slanted cuts on the rock
(stretch marks) show that in the geological past the rocks along
this fracture moved to the right. Today the Mountain mirror is
used by Zagreb 's mountain climbers and cavers for practice and
preparation for climbs.
Museum of Peasants' Revolt in castle Gornja Stubica
At the location of today's castle Gornja
Stubica used to be medieval fortress from 13 th century. Next
to the ruins, whose foundations can be seen even today in castle's
yard, a famous warrior, general, president of Governor's table
and district perfect - count Krsto II Oršić, built in 1756 a
baroque castle. Court's chapel extends over both floors. The
entrance in the chapel is on the ground floor, while the entrance
to the singing room (built later) is on the first floor. The
chapel is decorated with illusionist frescos and baroque altar
which holds a painting of St. Franjo Ksaverski. The castle hasn't
had a garden, which is confirmed with the cadastral map from
1861, and there are no leads around the castle which would indicate
existence of a garden. An avenue of approach made of horsechestnuts
lead to the castle, and only a few trees have been saved until
today. The last representatives of Oršići family left the castle
in 1924.
The castle belongs to the I. category
of monument protection, and in 1973 it became the Museum of
Peasants' Revolt. The same year a park was constructed according
to designs by Dragutin Kiš. The Museum was founded and opened
for public to mark the 400 anniversary of the great Peasants'
Revolt in 1573.
Ponikve
Ponikve is a spacious grassy complex
on the western part of Medvednica surrounded with thick forest
hills. These valleys are of Karst origin which is proven by mountain
streams which sink on the western side of the forest. On the
eastern side springs Jambrašek's well from one very short cave.
The water that sinks in Ponikve is the same one we can find in
Veternica Cave . Ponikve is covered with rich meadows that are
covered with various flowers. The spring makes it very suitable
as a resting place, but they are worth a visit for being one
of the most beautiful parts of Medvednica. The elevation is about
500 m. On Ponikve we can find four species of protected orchids
in Croatia .
The first mentioning of Ponikve dates
since 1328 as a boundary mark of Zagreb 's Kaptol property. In
1367 Ponikve were in the property of tribe Ača.
Because of the vicinity of the road
(Zelena magistrala), Ponikve have many visitors, and therefore
are exposed to great pollution, especially by sacks of waste
left by the road, although communal service does not take them
away. This has an especially bad influence on the underground
water streams.
Sljeme chapel (Chapel of Mother of God Queen of Croats)
It was built in 1932 through the merit
of Jesuit Josip Miller, and by the project of architect Jurij
Denzler. The chapel was built in the honor of 1000 anniversary
of Croatian Kingdom , and 1300 anniversary of christening of
Croats. The ceiling of the church is built from Slavonian oak
and is separated into 49 fields out of which 39 show coat of
arms of Croatian towns and lands. The inside of the chapel was
decorated by known Croatian sculptors and painters Vanja Radauš,
Josip Turkalj, Radoje Hudolin and Mirko Stupica.
St. Jakob's chapel
St. Jakob chapel is placed on the top
of Veliki Plazur, on the elevation of 869 m. It is built in classicistic
style. There are no reliable data on its origin. That way we
can learn it was built by Sljeme miners during their work in
French mines, or that it was built before the ruin of Medvedgrad,
more than 400 years ago. That location has its drawing force
still today for its esthetical reasons and beautiful view of
Zagreb and Posavina.
St. Martin's chapel
St. Martin's chapel is located near
Podsused, in the vicinity of Sutinska vrela. Next to the chapel
there is a rock – remains of a cave in which, according to
a legend, lived St. Martin Hermit (the big cave was destroyed
in 19 century when a query was opened there). It is mentioned
in deeds from 1209 and 1287, but it is believed it existed a
long time before that. It was renovated in 1900. Historian Ivan
Tkalčić believes it was the same Martin which Byzantine emperor
Konstantin Porfirogenet mentioned in his records. According to
those records, in the age of prince Trpimir (first half of X
century), Martin came in the name of the pope to secure that
Croats won't disturb their neighbors with war.
St. Martin 's chapel is a protected
cultural asset (Z-0718 / Narodne novine no. 63/03).
Stone wedding
Stone
wedding is a group of dolomite rocks erected on the western
slope of Medvednica which folk people named “Sworn wedding”,
and told many tales about them. Mountaineers named them Stone
wedding after a famous poem by Croatian poet August Šenoa.
They raise themselves 400 m high above the road located above
the village Jablanovec, and their bare crown is visible even
from Samobor. Stone head on its top is the most beautiful sightseeing
spot on the whole Medvednica. From here one has a beautiful
view of Croatian zagorje, Samobor hills, Žumberak, and during
clear days one can see Triglav and Kamničke Alps.
Susedgrad
Susedgrad is located in the western
part of Medvednica. It was probably built in the 13 th century
as a fortress on the way from Slovenia to Croatia , above the
river Sava , where used to be a ship crossing. A historical event
connected to Susedgrad is farmers' rebellion in 1573 when the
town's owner was Franjo Tahi. After a later farmers' rebellion
the town was concord and destroyed, and at the end of 17 th century
it became a ruin. From the ruins one has a beautiful view of
the valley of river Sava , Samobor Mountains and Slovenian Alps.
Šestine
Šestine used to be a picturesque village
on the slopes of Medvednica, and today it is a suburb of Zagreb
. In the middle of Šestine is parishes church with cemetery where
is the grave of Ante Starčević with a sculpture by sculptor Ivan
Rendić. In the vicinity of the village used to be Kulmer's castle
on the elevation of 333 m, which was left in ruins after World
War II. It was built by Stjepko Gregorijanec, the owner of Medvedgrad,
400 years ago, and later owners were Zrinski, Čikulin's, Sermaž's
and Kulmer's in the end.
Veternica
Veternica cave, a unique example of
carst relief on Medvednica, has been protected since 1979 as
a geomorphologic monument of nature. It is located on the south-west
part of Medvednica, only 9 km away from the center of Zagreb
. Veternica is the fourth longest cave in Croatia . Total length
of all canals is 7100 m, and the main canal is 2600 m long. The
first 380 m has electricity and is adapted for tourist visitations.
Veternica represents an extremely significant
paleontology and archeology site. It is one of the richest findings
of cave bear ( Ursus spelaeus ), and other Pleistocene
fauna (Kirchberg rhinoceros, large deer, leopard, cave lion,
etc.) Remains of fire places and numerous artifacts (stone tools
and weapons), which belonged to contemporaries of Neanderthal
cave men were found. Its determined age is about 40.000 years.
Paleolithic hunters used Veternica cave as a shelter or a resting
place. In younger layers of Veternica (Neolithic, Bronze Age)
several well preserved sculls of Homo sapiens sapiens species
were found, as well as fragments of ceramic and earthen vessels,
ornaments, etc. which witnesses of the existence of “Neolithic
tomb”. Also, some artifacts from Roman Age were found (oil-lamp,
bronze clasp of a Roman soldier, coins).
In 1950 mountaineers and cavers of Mountaineering
society “Željezničar” adapted the first part of the cave for
easier passing through, and placed a door at the entrance. That
door was broken down a couple of years later, after which the
second door was placed which remained at the entrance of the
main cave canal until today. Until the moment the door was placed
the cave was exposed to devastation – the first 300 m which can
easily be walked through have almost no stalactites since visitors
used to break them down and take them as souvenirs, and they
signed their names on cave walls.
In 2001 Public institution “Nature Park
Medvednica” adapted the approach hiking trail from CL “Glavica”
to Veternica cave, and placed new panels and benches, completely
renovated electrical installations inside the cave, and published
a leaflet “Veternica cave – Geomorphologic monument of nature”
in Croatian and English. The renovated cave has been opened for
visitations since February 25, 2002 .
Large
biology value of Veternica lays in the fact that as much as
14 protected bat species, and a couple of rare and endemic
species of underground invertebrate inhabit inside the cave.
Croatian biospeleologic society is currently performing explorations
of this fauna, after which a Book of rules for sustainable
usage of Veternica cave will be completed.
Zrinski mine
200 m southwest from climbers' lodging
“Grafičar”, in the forest, on the elevation of 830 m, we can
find remains of an old lead-zinc ore, mine by which Miners' garden
was named. Lead-zinc ore is abundant with mineral galena which
contains silver alloy.
Public institution “Nature Park Medvednica” has renovated
and reopened the mine on St. Barbara's day, patroness of miners,
December 4, 2004.
(See Park offer: Zrinski
mine)
hrvatski
