Zagorska Sela: Archaeology, Churches and Architectural History

In Zagorska Sela, archaeological traces, historic buildings and routes along the Sutla offer different themes for a trip. Specific points of interest include the Špičak settlement site near Bojačno, buildings in Zagorska Sela and historic sites in the Općina Zagorska Sela.

Archaeology near Bojačno

The elevated archaeological settlement site of Špičak is near Bojačno in the Općina Zagorska Sela. Its settlement layers date back to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Archaeological work uncovered traces of prehistoric houses, pottery shards, spindle whorls, millstones, animal bones and a finely crafted stone axe. The findings link evidence of the settlement with specific objects from different aspects of life at the time.

A tourist description published in 2021 mentions paths through green hills leading to Špičak that can be explored on foot or by bicycle, and describes a viewpoint there. This date is useful when planning a visit: check for current local conditions.

Historic buildings

The Old School Building in Zagorska Sela is a two-storey building from the late 19th century with historicist details. It is protected as immovable cultural heritage under designation Z-2765. Kurija Poklek is also in Zagorska Sela: this single-storey manor house dates from the 18th century, has Baroque features and is surrounded by a park. This building is also protected as immovable cultural heritage, under designation Z-3512. The two houses represent different periods and forms of architecture: the two-storey school building contrasts with the older, single-storey manor house.

In Sutlanska Poljana, within the Općina Zagorska Sela, Dvorac Miljana stands on a hillside east of the Sutla. The castle is protected as immovable cultural heritage under designation Z-2238. It was first mentioned in 1597 as property of the Rattkay family. This brings together the specific location by the river and an early written reference to the castle.

Churches in the Općina Zagorska Sela

The Church of St Catherine of Alexandria stands on a hill in Zagorska Sela, above the road from Klanjec towards Miljana and Veliki Tabor. It was built in 1691 on the foundations of an older church and was restored and expanded over time. Architectural and furnishing details include a wooden Baroque statue of St Catherine dating from 1649, Baroque pulpit figures, organs from 1864 and a tower built in 1829. These dates illustrate the different phases of construction and furnishing: the statue predates the 1691 church building, while the tower and organs were added later. On the neighbouring hill stands an 18th-century manor house belonging to the Galjuf family.

The single-nave Church of St Ana stands on a hilltop plateau in Sutlanska Poljana; the parish church of St Ana there was built in 1810. A Way of the Cross leads from the rectory, built in the 18th century, to the church. In Ivanić Miljanski, the Chapel of St Ivan is a Gothic building with a tower dating from 1694. These churches add their own points in time to the sacred and architectural history of the Općina Zagorska Sela.

Cycling and cross-border routes

The Sutla Cycling Route runs through the Sutla Valley via Zagorska Sela along the Slovenian border. The surrounding area also includes the cross-border Sutla tourism zone associated with Zagorska Sela, which focuses on hiking and cycling trails and waterways for visiting attractions on both sides of the Croatian-Slovenian border.

The “Sutla – Valley of Health Springs” tourism zone opened in 2004 in cooperation with the neighbouring Slovenian municipality of Podčetrtek. When planning, check the specific crossings, facilities and local operating conditions on site.

Discover more destinations: Miljana

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