Zrinski Mine
Not far from the mountain lodge Grafičar there is an area called Miner’s Garden, where people used to mine in search for precious metals. The Zrinski mine started to operate in the 16th century, after galena, the lead-zinc ore which contains silver, was found at the Miners Garden. Mining was an extremely hard and hazardous occupation at the time: some thirty miners were taking shifts of 10 to 12 hours digging out the precious ore using only hammers, wedges, pickaxes and shovels, under the wavering light of oil lamps or wax candles. In spite of that superhuman effort, the mine was never very productive: even a ton of galena had to be smelted in order to get only half a kilogram of silver! Therefore the owners of the mine, the Zrinski family, closed the mine in the middle of the 17th century, leaving the mysterious Medvednica’s underground to dampness, darkness and underground creatures. For centuries their peace was disturbed only by occasional landslides in the abandoned shafts. In 2004 the staff of the Nature Park Medvednica made the mine available to visitors. Since then its corridors have been very lively: the visitors in multicolored helmets listen to the stories of the guides about the hard labour in the mine, assist the conversation of miners with their foreman – the bergmaister – about the accident that had just happened, while viewing their wooden sculptures, hearing the dripping of water and ringing of hammers on the rock and cautiously handling the historic mining tools.
The Zrinski Mine was registered as the protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia in 2006. With deep respect to the generations of miners and their achievements we invite you to visit their mine and discover a fraction of their secrets.
SRETNO!
GOOD LUCK!
Opening hours for visitors
From April to December on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (except Easter and 1.11.) the guides are expecting visitors from 10 am to 4 pm.
On weekdays the Mine can be visited only in groups of 20 visitors and more, in agreement with the Public Institution Nature Park Medvednica. More information on +385 1 4586317 (weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm). The last entrance is at 3:30 pm.
On weekdays visits are possible for smaller groups (less than 20) upon special request. The price for such visit is 60,00 EUR+ ticket per person and category.
Admission fee
Check our price list here: https://www.pp-medvednica.hr/en/about/price-list/
It is not possible to visit the mine without a guide licensed by the Public Institution Nature Park Medvednica. The guide is included in the ticket price.
Directions for visitors
The temperature in the mine is about 12C over the whole year, thus it is necessary to wear warm, layered clothing and sport footwear in all seasons. Helmets for visitors are available at the Mine. The entry into the underground is not recommended to persons suffering from claustrophobia. The visit to the Mine takes about 30 minutes.
Important notice: for any left, damaged or lost personal belongings during the visit to the Zrinski mine or in the visitor area in front of the mine WE DO NOT ANSWER.
The nearest mountain lodge
Mountain lodge Grafičar – open every day except Monday from 9 am to 9 pm.
Tel: + 385 1 4555 844, +385 98 783 084
Getting there
From the mountain lodge Grafičar: The mine is located very close to the lodge – just follow the signs!
By car: Follow the Sljeme road to the mountain lodge Grafičar and leave your car there.
Public transport/on foot: Take the Sljeme bus from Mihaljevac to Tomislavov dom, and then walk to the mountain lodge Grafičar along the road, or following the nice hiking trail no. 26.
On foot: Follow the educational trail Miroslavec from Šestinski Lagvić to Kraljičin zdenac, then cross the paved road and continue on hiking trail 1M all the way to Grafičar. From Zagorje take the hiking trail no. 46 from Gornja Bistra to Grafičar.
