Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće: Churches, Wine and Culture

A single-nave parish church with scenes from the life of Christ, the restored birthplace of Franjo Tuđman and a prehistoric necropolis give the Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće its cultural character. These are complemented by wine traditions, cultural programmes and an easy circular route. This gives you a range of different options when planning your trip: architecture and history, local culture, wine and cycling.

Church, History and Culture

The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows in Veliko Trgovišće was built between 1838 and 1876. It is a single-nave building with neoclassical features, and its interior is adorned with scenes from the life of Christ. A single-nave building has one nave; the neoclassical features add a stylistic classification to the description. The building and interior therefore offer different points of interest: architecture on the one hand, and religious imagery on the other.

The restored birthplace of Franjo Tuđman stands at the entrance to Veliko Trgovišće. The Spomen škola “dr. Franjo Tuđman” houses a museum, a library and a reading room. The dr. Franjo Tuđman Cultural Centre opened in May 2024 and hosts numerous music, film, literature and gallery programmes. Together, these cultural attractions range from the features of a church to the different types of programmes at the cultural centre.

A prehistoric necropolis with earthen burial mounds is located in the wider area of Veliko Trgovišće. The mounds measure 30 to 60 metres in diameter and 6 to 12 metres in height. The site is among the largest of its kind discovered so far in northern Croatia; the burial mounds have not been investigated. With its scale and prehistoric origins, the necropolis offers a different historical point of reference from the 19th-century parish church.

Landscape and Getting Around

The Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće stretches westwards from the right bank of the Krapina. Important state roads run through the municipality along the Krapina Valley. Route Ž-2196 follows the Krapina Valley and was formerly known as the Zagorska magistrala. The Zagreb–Macelj motorway (E-59), part of the international Pyhrn corridor, runs east of the municipality. Before setting out, check the current conditions on your chosen route.

The easy “Toma Gajdek” circular route runs through Veliko Trgovišće and its surroundings. If cycling is part of your travel plans, it is a specific local option to consider. Check the route conditions before setting out.

Wine Traditions and Tastings

The Zagorska Wine Road passes through the Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće. Grape and wine festivals are traditionally held there several times a year, and visitors are welcome. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates in advance. The Škalec rural tourism establishment offers Welsh Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and mixed white wine for tasting. As product availability may vary, enquire in advance about the current selection. Wine is therefore part of the experience in different ways: as a route through the municipality, as a recurring event and as a tasting of specific wines.

Discover more destinations: Veliko Trgovišće, Dubrovčan, Municipality of Zabok, Municipality of Bedekovčina, Municipality of Pregrada, Municipality of Oroslavje, Municipality of Novi Golubovec, Municipality of Kumrovec.

For the broader travel overview: Krapina-Zagorje.