Rakov Potok: Parish History, Motocross and Kokošvaroš

Rakov Potok combines a rich parish history with a sporting focus centred around the Draga racetrack. The Kokošvaroš project and Park Želja also showcase different aspects of the town: poultry farming and education at the former, outdoor weddings at the latter. This mix offers practical starting points for planning your trip—from church history and motorsports to regional cuisine.

Parish History in Rakov Potok

The parish of Presveto Srce Isusovo in Rakov Potok was established on 14 September 1945, following its separation from the parish of Sveti Martin pod Okićem. The parish church of Presveto Srce Isusovo stands on the site of a chapel built in 1903. The chapel was later demolished, and the present-day church was built in the same location. The town’s history can therefore be traced through both the founding of the parish and the development of the church site. The two dates mark different stages: 1903 refers to the chapel, while 1945 marks the founding of the parish.

Motocross and Activities at Draga

A prominent sporting feature is the Draga racetrack. On 29 June 2025, a round of the Croatian Open Motocross Championship took place in Rakov Potok. The 2025 motocross programme also included memorial classes for Kreše Purić, Branko Rončević and Igor Krpan. These names are therefore part of the championship’s historical programme at the track. The 2025 championship regulations noted that Draga’s licence was valid until 2027.

The track is suitable for motocross, supercross, quad training and competitions. Prior registration is required for various team-building activities; catering can also be arranged with advance registration. These conditions are especially important if you are planning a group activity. This helps you distinguish between the different motorsports and a planned group booking, while allowing for the coordination required.

Kokošvaroš, Park Želja and Local Cuisine

Kokošvaroš is an organic poultry farm and a tourism and education project that informs visitors about poultry farming. The chicken coop is designed as a small settlement, with accommodation units, services, shops, streets and public buildings. This unusual concept combines an agricultural theme with the idea of an entire village. Kokošvaroš thus adds another distinct facet of the town to its church history and motorsports.

Park Želja is located in peaceful, green Rakov Potok, between Zagreb and Samobor, and provides a setting for outdoor weddings. For local cuisine, the Krčma “Lovcu” is a specific place to visit: suckling pig is served there. These features appeal to different kinds of visitors—those planning a celebration, interested in poultry farming, or looking for a meal featuring a named regional dish.

Grad Samobor as the Wider Context

The wider destination of Grad Samobor offers other cultural and culinary experiences, which belong to a distinct regional context. Rudarska greblica is a thin, savoury pie made from baked dough rolled out by hand and filled with fresh cow’s cheese. The speciality has historical ties to the miners of Rude and bears an EU-protected geographical indication; its production area includes Rude and the surrounding villages in Zagreb County. Samoborski bermet, in turn, has been associated with Samobor for centuries and is made from red wine and selected fruits and herbs.

The walking trails in the wider destination of Grad Samobor also have different profiles. The Poučna staza Otruševec is two kilometres long, has nine stations and takes about an hour and a half to walk at an easy pace. It was Croatia’s first educational trail of its kind, opened in 1990 and renovated in 2018. Another 1.5-kilometre educational trail, focused on mining and botany, leads from Rude Primary School to Manja Vas. At Rudnik svete Barbare, visitors can explore underground tunnels stretching 350 metres and dating back several centuries, with a knowledgeable guide.

Find Hotels for Your Trip

Whether you are interested in parish history, a motorsport event, the Kokošvaroš project or regional cuisine, these topics help you get to know Rakov Potok as a travel destination.

Discover more destinations: Velika Rakovica, Molvice, Samobor, Kladje, Domaslovec

Return to the wider travel guide: Grad Samobor.