Municipality of Đurmanec: Wooded Landscapes, Trails and Cultural Heritage

The Municipality of Đurmanec reveals itself through the character of its individual settlements: Hromec is a scattered settlement on the hills toward the Lupinjak border crossing and the Sutla Valley. Elsewhere, wooded valleys and religious buildings shape the view of the area. When planning your stay, you can take your bearings from the specific landscape and cultural features of each place.

Wooded Valleys and Protected Landscapes

Donji Macelj lies on the outer edges of the Maceljčica Valley and is mostly surrounded by forests. Much of the area in Gornji Macelj is forested. Parts of the Municipality of Đurmanec belong to the protected natural landscape of Maceljska Gora. Protected landscapes are located in the southeastern part of the municipality, in the settlements of Podbrezovica, Đurmanec and Ravninsko.

Information about the wildlife also offers a glimpse into the municipality’s natural environment: according to available information, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is found there permanently or temporarily and is one of 16 endangered and protected species.

Churches, Chapels and Local Culture

Đurmanec is home to the parish church of St. George and its rectory. The church is among the cultural monuments in the municipality that have been provisionally protected and recorded. The votive chapel of St. Joseph also stands in Đurmanec. You will find other chapels in several settlements: the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary in Gornji Macelj, the Chapel of St. Leopold Mandić in Hromec and the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in Hlevnica.

A promenade in Đurmanec is associated with a monument to Željko Pavić, the county’s first fallen defender. Local culture also includes the KUD Đurmanec cultural association, founded in 2006. It works to promote and preserve the musical and folkloric heritage and traditions of Hrvatsko Zagorje and other parts of Croatia. Today, the association has around 70 members.

Hiking Trails and Events

The Stations of the Cross trail “Stopama pobijenih” begins at Đurmanec railway station and follows the road toward the Macelj forests for about 10 km, ending at the Church of the Passion of Jesus in Macelj. The route takes around four and a half hours. If you plan to include the trail in your stay, check its current route in advance.

In 2024, the mountaineering club Planinarsko društvo „Husni“ Đurmanec continued its tradition of organising hiking trips for its members. These trips were for club members. In Jezerišće, the traditional Jezerišće 2026 mini-football tournament reached its 16th edition. For years, it has attracted numerous teams and visitors from Đurmanec and the surrounding settlements.

Winegrowing and Getting Around

A historic route landmark is the first wine road in Hrvatsko Zagorje: opened in 1994, it ran from Đurmanec via Putkovec toward Pregrada. If you are planning a wine tour today, check the current route information in advance. The Srevast winegrowing area is located in Donji Macelj.

For travel planning: Đurmanec has an exit from the A2 motorway. On the railway line, Hromec is the last station on Croatian territory.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Krapinsko-Zagorska

The wider destination of Krapinsko-Zagorska also offers its own cultural attractions. The Krapina Neanderthal Museum presents its permanent exhibition across 18 themed areas. The Staro Selo Kumrovec open-air museum conveys the authentic appearance of a Zagorje village from the early 20th century and includes around 40 restored buildings of traditional architecture. These examples offer a broader perspective on the region’s culture, beyond the local features of Đurmanec.

Discover more destinations: Đurmanec, Municipality of Novi Golubovec, Municipality of Bedekovčina, Municipality of Zlatar, Municipality of Gornja Stubica, Municipality of Hum na Sutli, Municipality of Kumrovec, Municipality of Pregrada.

Back to the wider travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.