ZAGREB, 11 Sept, 2021 - The Preporod union of school employees on Saturday condemned the anti-maskers who invaded the elementary school in Krapinske Toplice yesterday, saying it was not a protest but a threat to the safety and mental health of those who were present, which should be condemned and punished.

"The public condemnation of this violent incident should be prompt and total," the union said in a press release.

It added that the invasion of the 30 anti-maskers was also an organised disturbance of the peace, and that they and the organiser should be promptly and severely punished.

As for reports on police conduct, Preporod said the police should be punished too if their behaviour was indeed unprofessional and their response to the behaviour of the anti-maskers "late and mild."

Preporod said that as of Monday the education authorities should send experts to the school to provide psychological support to the pupils, and that Minister Radovan Fuchs and his associates should visit the school as soon as possible, thereby supporting the pupils, their parents and all of the school staff.

The union reiterated that security in schools was lacking and called on the education authorities to do more to create conditions preventing any kind of violent behaviour in schools.

County head: Security will watch school entrance

Krapina-Zagorje County prefect Željko Kolar told Hina on Friday that as of Monday morning security would watch the entrance to the Krapinske Toplice elementary school as well as the schoolyard, where parents protested against mask-wearing earlier in the day.

Kolar said he would do everything so that pupils could come to the school without fear and that the county would ensure that classes were held without disruption.

He said the protesters broke the law banning organised protesting or gathering near a school during classes. He added that the police did not do a good job because the protest should have been banned or broken up.

Kolar said 308 pupils went to that school and that the parents of only two were protesting against masks, whereas all other parents and their children complied with the COVID rules.

The protest was held because an eight-year-old pupil who refuses to wear a mask, Nikola Gaćina, has been banned from entering the school since Monday. It was organised by his father Kristijan, who says a mask makes it difficult for Nikola to breathe and that the school does not allow him to use common areas without it. Thereby, he said, his son is being denied the right to an education.

Headmaster: Children's health and safety come first

The school's headmaster, Samson Štibohar, said children's health and safety came first and that the protest was the result of one parent's refusal to comply with the measures, protocols and decisions under which headmasters had to create work guidelines for the new school year.

"The problem is that the pupil and his parent refuse that he wear a mask in the hall and the toilet and when entering and leaving school, which takes maybe two minutes," he said, adding that he saw nothing positive in the protest.

"I won't say it's genocide against pupils, but it's something horrible. I saw there a lot of negative energy, meanness, a lot of frustrated people. If they want to achieve something, that's certainly not the way," said Štibohar.

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August 19, 2021 - In addition to Zagreb County, the single destination campaign "Around Zagreb" has been extended to Krapina-Zagorje County in order to promote the diverse tourist and cultural offer on the outskirts of the Croatian capital.

After an excellent joint partnership between the Zagreb Tourist Board and the Zagreb County Tourist Board on a unique destination campaign, "Near the city, close to the heart" / "Around Zagreb", Zagreb Tourist Board this year expanded the campaign to promote Zagorje, reports HrTurizam.

The promotional campaign of the Zagreb Tourist Board "Close to the city, close to the heart" was expanded through cooperation with the Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board (TZKZŽ) and thus, for the first time, jointly promote Zagreb and Zagorje through a unique destination campaign with a focus on staying outdoors, in greenery and nature, and additional emphasis placed on the eno-gastronomic offer and historical heritage. The director of TZGZ (Zagreb Tourist Board), Martina Bienenfeld, pointed out that the cooperation with TZKZŽ is a logical step in upgrading the campaign "Close to the city, close to the heart".

“We have created a new visual, promotional film, as well as websites where we offer various itineraries and ideas for excursions that naturally connect Zagreb and Zagorje. So you can go on the Gastronomic Roads of Zagreb and Zagorje, experience 3 days of fun and relaxation, or look at the proposals for a fun and active weekend in Zagreb and Zagorje. There is also a new section, ''Did you know...'' which reveals that more than 75% of Zagreb covers green areas and that at least one of the 45 city parks is located in each neighborhood, as well as other attractions”, states Bienenfeld.

The head of the Tourist Board of Krapina-Zagorje County, Sanja Škrinjar, is also extremely satisfied with the first such cooperation and pointed out that the overlaps of the most important emitting markets for both destinations are certainly the starting point for the realization of such cooperation. ''We believe that we complement each other extremely well in creating an even better and richer offer for all future guests of our destinations with a tendency to extend their stay in Zagreb and Zagorje, especially since Zagorje "leans" on Zagreb and is a very good road connection between the two most important tourist destinations in the continental part of Croatia'', pointed out Škrinjar.

"TZGZ is launching the campaign in the markets of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia, and Serbia, and all materials and websites are linguistically adapted to the markets we are addressing. With such facilities, we extend the stay of guests in both destinations'', concludes Bienenfeld.

The website www.aroundzagreb.hr offers creative suggestions on what to see and do, and there is also a promotional film that shows the natural, eno-gastronomic, sports, and historical offers of Zagreb and Zagorje.

Video in English, but with subtitles in four foreign languages (Croatian, Slovenian, English, and German) can be viewed and shared HERE.

Visit Total Croatia if you want to learn more about what Zagreb and Zagorje have to offer you. Now available in your language!

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 4 March, 2021 - Tenants and users of state-owned flats and business premises from Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac, Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje counties and the City of Zagreb will be exempt from the obligation to pay rent or fee for the use of state-owned flats and business premises.

The decision was made by the Croatian government on Thursday because of the consequences of the earthquakes that struck the four counties and Zagreb on 28 and 29 December last year.

Tenants and users of state-owned real estate will be exempt from payment starting from January 2021 until it becomes possible again to use business premises and flats damaged in the earthquake.

The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property is authorised, Minister Darko Horvat explained, to exempt tenants and users of state-owned property from the obligation to pay rent or fee for the use of state-owned flats and business premises which are managed by the ministry and have been declared as unfit for use following examination.

Since some of the state-owned flats and business premises are managed by the Državne Nekretnine company, the company's assembly is in charge of making the necessary decisions and taking the necessary actions to grant the exemption.

The government also authorised the Central State Office for Reconstruction and Housing to exempt users of state-owned housing units in Sisak-Moslavina and Karlovac counties from paying rent due to the consequences of the earthquakes after 28 December last year.

January 12, 2021 – The surprise Zagorje landslide has left people wondering if the groundwater has triggered the fall of ground or if the region's earthquakes may have played a part

Flattening trees and completely covering a main thoroughfare through the village of Gornji Jesenje, a surprise Zagorje landslide that occurred last week has left locals wondering if the shift of wintertime groundwater was to blame or if seismic disturbances in Croatia may have also played their part.

The Zagorje landslide occurred at the end of last week. So far, the road remains blocked. The landslide took place over four days ago. The village of Gornji Jesenje, where the Zagorje landslide took place, is just a couple of kilometres from the main thoroughfare which runs from Zagreb, through Zapresic and Zabok, and on to Maribor in Slovenia. Travel between the two major European cities remains unaffected by the landslide (although a strike by Slovenian police may currently stall passage between the countries on the border).

Thousands of cubic meters of earth were shifted in the Zagorje landslide, as the main picture (a screenshot) shows. Trees that run alongside the road were flattened with the force of the earth fall. The Zagorje landslide started under the Gorjak quarry near Gornji Jesenje. It has buried the state road DC74 in Krapina-Zagorje County. The Gorjak quarry has been in operation for about 40 years. The national institution, Hrvatske ceste, responsible for the maintenance of such routes is aware of the situation following the Zagorje landslide. Their response is pending and being planned. Their first responsibility will be to clear the road for traffic to be able to pass along the route. Further study of the area's susceptibility to further landslides is also pending. The winter groundwater, the quarry and the three large earthquakes, plus many aftershocks experienced in the region over the last 11 months will all each need to be taken into account

ZAGREB, 11 January, 2021 - Krapina-Zagorje County prefect Zeljko Kolar on Monday declared a natural disaster for Krapinske Toplice municipality where damage from the 29 December earthquake in the Petrinja area has been estimated at over HRK 4.2 million.

Speaking to the press in Krapinske Toplice, Kolar said the tremor caused "very big damage" to the local primary school and that the medical rehabilitation hospital and homes also sustained damage.

Municipal head Ernest Svazic said the damage to the primary school was HRK 2 million.

By 8 January, 36 homeowners reported damage to their buildings.

27 county schools damaged in earthquake

Kolar said 23 primary and four secondary schools in the county had reported damage from the 6.2 earthquake.

As for the medical rehabilitation hospital in Krapinske Toplice, he said the damage was not structural and that it did not affect its work.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

ZAGREB, November 21, 2020 - Krapina-Zagorje County head Zeljko Kolar said on Saturday that the epidemiological situation in the county was very serious, with 104 new coronavirus cases and four fatalities in the last 24 hours.

The county head told a news conference that the county health system was functioning only owing to extreme efforts by medical workers.

"Forty-nine people have died since October 23. If that is not reason enough for people to get serious and start complying with epidemiological measures, I don't know what is. We do not want the scenario that is happening in Varazdin County to happen here," Kolar said in reference to Varazdin County being among the European regions with the highest seven-day incidence of coronavirus, with 944 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

There are currently 1,043 active cases in Krapina-Zagorje County and 1,453 people are self-isolating, the local COVID-19 response team said.

August 24, 2020 – Government proposes all reconstruction costs be borne by the state and city for the poorest homeowners in society.

In new government proposals, poorer residents of Zagreb and the two neighbouring counties most affected by this year's earthquake will pay nothing towards the cost of home reconstruction. The new proposals contained in the Law on Reconstruction of Zagreb will be officially presented in a government session on Thursday 27 August and then to parliament on September 2 or 3.

Homeowners in the City of Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje, and Zagreb County whose residencies were damaged are those affected by the new proposals. If a homeowner or cohabiting couple earns HRK 8,000 a month or less and does not have assets of more than HRK 200,000, the state and the city will finance the entirety of their home renovations.

In the law's first reading, it was proposed that structural renovation costs be borne 60% by the state, 20% by city or regional government, and 20% by property owners and co-owners. Property owners whose income did not exceed HRK 4,000 per month in the previous year (or cohabiting couples earning less than HRK 8,000 per month), will now be exempt from any contributions towards reconstruction, provided they did not hold assets exceeding HRK 200,000 on the day of the earthquake, 22 March 2020. Assets refer to real estate, motor vehicles, and vessels, savings and shares.

For people meeting the criteria, apartment and house renovation costs will be borne 80% by the state, and 20% by city or regional government (City of Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje, or Zagreb County). Reconstruction costs of the homes belonging to those left disabled of the Homeland War or beneficiaries of social care who receive maintenance assistance will also be fully financed.


Damage to a dwelling on Ilica in central Zagreb © Franjo Tahy

The proposals are aimed at assisting the poorest homeowners affected, although the implications stretch much further

People who do not meet the low income/low asset criteria, who do not have a home insurance policy, must pay for 20% of their home renovation. Those who do have an insurance policy can request payment or partial payment of that 20% by their insurers.

It is possible that some unmarried couples who are living together, but not officially co-habiting, and whose income and assets exceed the set amount, could benefit before other couples who are married and legally co-habiting.

There are also potentially serious implications for those who are on a very low income, but who have inherited a property worth more than HRK 200,000 (approx €26,500).

In the final bill, there remains a provision for mortgaging real estate if the owners and co-owners cannot secure 20% of building renovation costs.

The new proposals also include the possibility of obtaining financial assistance for the repair of staircases in buildings, in addition to previously announced assistance for the repair of gable walls, elevators, chimneys, and the replacement of gas boilers.

Damage from the earthquake in Zagreb and surroundings was estimated at 86.4 billion kuna (approx €11.5 billion). The new proposals mean that a larger amount than this previous estimation will now be needed.

ZAGREB, July 30, 2020 - A 32.6 million kuna business and technology incubator, owned by Krapina-Zagorje County, was formally opened by President Zoran Milanovic on Thursday in the city of Krapina.

The economy ministry has provided HRK 20 million in non-repayable funds for the construction of the facility and its equipment.

The construction of the incubator started in September 2017 and took 30 months. The facility includes 28 functional units with 13 incubation spaces, a multipurpose hall and a laboratory.

The incubator is situated in the city of Krapina, 60 kilometres north of Zagreb, and the county has made up the plan for this project.

Addressing the ceremony, President Milanovic called for better absorption of EU funds.

County Prefect Zeljko Kolar said that the aim of the incubator would be to boost economic development based on know-how.

July 27, 2020 - First mentioned in written documents in 1193; now, this city is full of cultural events. Check out where to hang with prehistoric men, discover legends, hike or relax in hidden cottages. 

Welcome to Krapina!

The capital of Krapina-Zagorje County is in the northwestern Republic of Croatia. Around 12,500 people there wander through the streets of th hidden gem of Zagorje every day.

How to get to and around Krapina

If you are flying and want to visit Krapina, your nearest airport is Zagreb. The terminal is less than one hour away by car. You also have other international connection options within 2-3 hours – Ljubljana, Graz, Maribor. Please, be aware that Croatia still isn't a part of Schengen, so you will need to go through passport control.

The modern highway Zagreb - Macelj connects the City of Krapina with Zagreb at only 42.5 km and to the border crossing Macelj 17.0 km. The motorway provides very good connections to the western part of Slovenia (Celje, Ljubljana) at the Krapina junction, also to Varazdin (about 50 km), and further to Hungary.

Although there is a bus station, it doesn't offer many destinations. You can go to Zagreb every day (Monday-Friday) at 06:10 a.m., and back to Krapina from Zagreb at 04:30 p.m.

The primary way to get to and from Krapina is by train or car. Click here to check information about Krapina-Zagreb connection. Enjoy your ride of 39 km almost 3 hours long. Other possible destinations from Krapina, prices, and the rest information can be found here. 

5 things not to miss

1. The old town of Krapina

A medieval burg on a steep rock overlooking the Krapinčica river valley is associated with the Legend of Ceh, Leh, Meh, and their sister Vilina. It is a story of the tragic love between a Roman officer and Vilina. She was punished by her brothers for her betrayal by being walled into a tower. The brothers, banished by the Romans, fled to the north, where they founded the Slavic countries of Czechia, Poland, and Russia. Through the years, this fortress changed many owners, be it by purchase, marriage, or a deed of gift. It was the residence of Counts of Celje, the Keglegović family, the Drašković family, with the last of the fortress masters the Lichtenberg and Ottenfels families. During the most savage Turkish attacks on Croatia (the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century), five sessions of the Croatian Parliament were held there. In the close vicinity, in the Holy Trinity Chapel, in 1405, attended by more than 400 of European kings, princes, and members of the nobility, an important ceremony took place – a royal wedding between Sigismund of Luxembourg, the King of Croatia and Hungary and Barbara of Celje and Zagorje. Archaeological excavation works proved the existence of humans living here as early as during the Bronze Age, at the time of so-called Urnfield Culture.

2. The museum of Krapina Neanderthals

The new museum of Krapina Neanderthals was opened in February 2010. With its multimedia display, it is one of the most modern and sophisticated museums in the world. The museum leads its visitors through various stages of the evolution of our planet Earth. From its oldest geological history with a recreation of the cosmic evolution (aka Big Bang) to the emergence of human civilizations and modern times. The reconstruction of everyday life and customs of the Neanderthals ends with a visit to their original habitat, the most renowned protected paleontological site in Croatia. It is a semi cave at Hušnjak Hill, where Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger, a paleoanthropologist, discovered remains of „Krapina prehistoric men“.

3. Festival of kaikavian culture

Fearing that the modern times will destroy the native traditions from which the cultural identity of Zagorje originates, a group of enthusiasts who cherish the word “kaj” and the Kajkavian tunes founded the Kajkavian Song Festival in 1966.  Every year, in early autumn, the Festival of kaikavian culture is held with its numerous events celebrating the traditional Zagorje ways.

4. Votive Church of the Madonna of Jeruzalem

Krapina citizens and their donations built a well known Croatian pilgrimage shrine to the Virgin Mary and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in the country. It houses the miraculous statuette od the Madonna brought from Jerusalem. The construction works lasted from 1750 to 1761 when it was consecrated. Till today it has remained a famous pilgrimage destination, a votive place. Out of the complex of the church itself, there are unique Stations of the Cross, examples of primitive art, the work of Ivan Lovrenčić, painted by Eugen Kokot. 

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5. The Presečki Old-Timer museum

The Presečki Old-Timer Museum is the fulfillment of a dream long dreamt by its conceptual creator – Antun Presečki, a passionate old-timer vehicle enthusiast. Over 25 years of committed collecting and restoring of vintage vehicles are summarized and presented to the public on 1,100 m2 of exhibition area where visitors can dive into the history of the car and motorcycle culture.

Where to stay

Winery, guesthouse & restaurant “Vuglec Breg”

The whole property covers an area of over 12 hectares, and from the top of approximately 300 m above sea level offers a magnificent view of the surrounding hills of Zagorje, decorated with houses, cellars, and churches. The renovated "Vuglec Breg" consists of several autochthonous Zagorje "houses" designed to accommodate guests, as well as an old farm building that houses a restaurant, a wine cellar, and a seminar room. Next to the first rows of vineyards, there is an arbor with a barbecue, bread oven, and summer terrace.

Klet Kozjak

Klet Kozjak is a vintage restaurant with a perfect view of the forests of Zagorje. It is characterized by abundant and high-quality portions, which preserve the core of the local traditional food. Hidden from the city's crowd and daily stress, Kozjak accommodation offers you the opportunity to unwind and relax surrounded by nature.

Hostel Barrock

The hostel is located in the heart of Krapina, only 2 min to the main square. There is a bar and terrace. Rooms here will provide air conditioning and access to shared bathrooms with showers — there is also a shared, fully equipped kitchen where guests can prepare meals or enjoy breakfast. Also, there is a cafe bar beneath the hostel, in which walls are painted and decorated most creatively.

Where to eat

Even though Krapina is not a big city, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy tasty food. If you want to try delicacies of Zagorje or you are a loyal pizza fan, here you can do both. Check the list of restaurants in Krapina on TripAdvisor. We believe people don't lie there.

Top 5 day trips

Zagreb

It is only an hour away by car and 90 minutes by bus, so the Zagreb capital is an obvious choice for a day trip. We have covered the rich offer of this rising tourist destination in our Total Croatia guide to Zagreb.

Trakošćan

We don't want to be too subjective, but we really can't decide whether this castle is more stunning in summer or winter. This magnificent castle is only half an hour away from Krapina. Check out Paul Bradbury's impression of Trakošćan here.

Varaždin

Just a one-hour drive away is the former capital of the Republic of Croatia. If you are looking for a place where knights come alive and at the same time, you want to visit a bunch of great concerts, then the city of Varaždin in the summer is excellent for you. Špancirfest, Baroque evenings, remarkable cemetery and the most famous klipići await you!

Lepoglava

Only half an hour away, there is a city whose name literally means Beautiful Head. The lacework of the Lepoglava is listed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. Of particular importance in the promotion of Lepoglava lace is the "International Lace Festivals". Furthermore, the Paulines founded the first public high school in Croatia in Lepoglava in 1582 and began their studies of philosophy and theology in 1656. The status of the first Croatian university of Lepoglava was given in 1674, and it is considered that about 75 doctoral theses were defended here. Besides that, in Lepoglava, you can find a dormant volcano, which is the only one ever to erupt in Croatia. A pretty big deal for such a small town, don't you think? 

Marija Bistrica

The most famous and visited shrine of the Mother of God is the National Shrine of the Mother of God of Bistrica. It became a national sanctuary as early as 1715. From 1688 to 1786, 1109 miraculous events were recorded, which were confessed only after careful research and reliable witnesses. October 3, 1998, Pope John Paul II. visited Marija Bistrica and proclaimed the blessed the late Archbishop of Zagreb and pilgrim Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac.

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Clinic Magdalena

In Krapinske Toplice takes place Magdalena - specialized Hospital for Cardio-Vascular Surgery and Cardiology. It is the first private hospital in the Republic of Croatia.

The Magdalena dispensaries carry out daily cardiac consultations, cardiac surgery, and anesthesiology consultations, as well as the control of pacemakers and internal defibrillators. The departments of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery perform diagnostic and surgical procedures on the heart and blood vessels.

But now... Seven reasons why you should never visit Krapina:

People there live only 40 years, but yet they are so old

In the Krapina Neanderthals collection, the oldest person was 40 years old. For the most part, they were young people who died at just the age of 14.

A prehistoric man walked as far as 130,000 years ago in the Krapina area, at the very beginning of the great Ice Age. At that time, Europe was populated by only tens of thousands of people, while there were only about a thousand in the Pannonian Plain and surrounding areas. That is why the Krapina collection is a real "miracle" and, from a scientific point of view, a large "specimen" collected and presented to the world by Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger at the Hušnjakovo site from 1899 to 1905. The most valuable part of the collection is about 3,000 paleoanthropological remains, more or less preserved human and animal bones and stone products.

They have a strange-looking jug with holes 

You have to have the special power to drink from this jug. You have to manage to cover certain holes, so the wine doesn’t spill when drinking. Almost every house has it, so we assume they are not very generous when it comes to wine.

They hid their ponds

If you aren’t the inhabitant of Krapina, you won’t notice a secret lake in the woods. Yet there is a beautiful place to rest your mind and breathe fresh air. Hidden treasure finds place upon the city, counter then the Old City of Krapina. There is even a chance to learn something about history.

Ljudevit Gaj tells you how to write

The most famous person from Krapina is Ljudevit Gaj, for sure. In 1830, he wrote  Kratka osnova horvatsko-slavenskoga pravopisanja. He sought to introduce a Latin script for each phoneme in the Croatian language. That’s why the Croatian alphabet is also called “Gajica”. That Gaj [guy] even has his museum and elementary school named after him.

Driving there is dangerous due to weird paintings (of which one even has hair?)

It was wise to put this mural along with the firefight station. Never careful enough with these neanderthals!

They built walls around the shopping center

Or maybe this isn’t such a bad idea…

They don't have real animals, but wooden ones

The Forma prima sculpture park is a unique park of contemporary wooden outdoor sculptures in Croatia. It is a collection of more than 30 large-format sculptures signed by the most famous names of the world and local sculptors in the 1980s. The park has the property of cultural property and is entered in the Register of Cultural Property of the Republic of Croatia.

ZAGREB, January 12, 2020 - The prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County and the head of the county health department said on Saturday, after a fire killed six residents of the "Green Oasis" nursing home, that the home was issued an operating permit for fewer residents than were in the facility during the fire.

Speaking to reporters in Krapina, prefect Željko Kolar said police informed him that 26 residents were in the home in Andraševac at the time of the tragedy.

Martina Gregurović Šanjug, head of the county health department, said the home was issued with a permit in 2012 for eight residents and for another five in 2013.

She said the county was authorised to issue an operating permit when a facility met the minimum technical requirements, while the rest was within the remit of the relevant ministry, including business inspections. She said there had been no complaints about the work of "Green Oasis".

Demography Minister Vesna Bedeković extended her condolences to the families of the victims. Asked by the press in Andraševac if the nursing home had the necessary operating permits, she said this was a private facility and that such facilities obtained such permits from the counties.

Asked if an inspection team from her ministry had ever checked "Green Oasis", she said there had been no complaints about the home.

She announced that her ministry would put present a new social welfare bill "very soon".

Asked about the lack of quality staff in private homes, Bedeković said this was up to the homes.

The chair of the parliamentary Health and Social Policy Committee, Ines Strenja, extended her condolences to the families of the victims and said urgent amendments to regulations and the law on social welfare were necessary for the sake of the tens of thousands of people in nursing homes.

She underlined the importance of decentralising the oversight of such homes, saying in a press release that it was the only way to obtain the real picture of the quality of care and deal with all irregularities in a timely manner.

Strenja said there were over 700 nursing homes in Croatia and that many did not provide adequate care and lacked qualified staff.

She said she had warned the ombudswomen for disabled persons and human rights in a number of reports but that nothing had been done about it.

More news about Krapina-Zagorje County can be found in the Lifestyle section.