Municipality of Tuhelj: Thermal Waters and Church History

Tuhelj lies at the foot of Cesarska gora, by the Horvatska River. The Municipality of Tuhelj combines thermal-water experiences in Tuheljske Toplice with a rich and varied ecclesiastical heritage in Tuhelj and the village of Sveti Križ. These places offer different ways to explore the area: baths and wellness on one hand, architectural history and chapels on the other.

Thermal Waters, Baths and Wellness

The Bazeni na izvoru complex is a natural outdoor swimming pool with two connected pools supplied by a thermal spring. The water temperature is 32 to 33 °C. Vodeni Planet covers 15,000 m² and features numerous water attractions in an indoor and an outdoor pool. These include thermal areas for relaxation, waterfalls, geysers, underwater massages and slides; the facilities are suitable for all age groups.

TuhiLand is located at two sites: in a heated outdoor pool and in a heated indoor pool for children. As well as the larger water areas, the facilities therefore also include pools specifically for children. The SPAeVITA centre offers a different focus. It has 11 relaxation rooms and offers, among other things, relaxing massages with aromatic oils and massages with healing thermal mud. Oriental rituals take place in a hammam relaxation room.

Churches and Architectural History

The Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tuhelj is considered a cultural monument of the highest category. According to parish records, it was built between 1350 and 1390. The single-nave late Gothic building has a late Baroque bell tower. “Single-nave” means that the church has one main nave. The entrance door also has specific historical details: it dates from 1805, is made of wrought iron and is adorned with a bronze crucifix by the Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić, created in 1942.

The chapels have different historical points of interest. Kapela svetog Josipa stands above Tuhelj’s old cemetery and was first mentioned in 1727. Kapela Svetega Križa in the village of Sveti Križ was built in 1831 on the site of a Gothic chapel first mentioned in 1519. A Marian apparition grotto was built next to the parish church in Tuhelj in 2008. The Stations of the Cross between the church and the parish house were restored in 2015.

Local Paths and Orientation

If you would like to plan a hike, you can reach the “Oči Zagorja” attraction from the centre of Tuhelj via a marked hiking trail towards Gornja Pristava. Another path leads to Kapela Svetega Križa. It is lined with densely leafy trees and is considered peaceful and quiet. The marked trail leads to “Oči Zagorja”; the tree-lined path leads to Kapela Svetega Križa.

Information boards for the “Zagorske priče” project are located in Tuheljske Toplice. Multimedia content can be accessed via QR codes. Hotel Well is in Tuheljske Toplice, close to thermal springs and sites where healing mud has been found. Bicycles can be rented at the hotel; it is best to confirm that rentals are available before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Tuhelj, Tuheljske Toplice, Municipality of Zabok, Municipality of Bedekovčina, Municipality of Zlatar, Municipality of Hrašćina, Municipality of Đurmanec, Municipality of Kumrovec.

For the broader travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.