May 14, 2023 - Are you a religious tourist looking to visit authenticated miracles in Croatia? Meet the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg.

I first visited Medjugorje in 1987 after I heard of the alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary to six kids who were tending goats on a remote hillside.

Back then, it had one-third of all the tourism beds in the whole of Bosnia and Hercegovina. The town has grown considerably since then, attracting about 1.5 million tourists a year (compare that with 20 million for all Croatia).

ludbregSome 36 years after my first visit, the so-called Apparitions have still not been formally recognised by the Vatican.

Indeed, the Bishop of Mostar over the years has been openly skeptical over the years.

And while there are 1.5 million visitors to a site not recognised by the Vatican, thousands of pilgrims driving down from Central Europe each year drive past a Croatian destination which not only has an authenticated miracle, but one which you can visit daily, even during Holy Mass. And VERY few tourists know anything about it.

A rather unusual tale of three churches, including one that the Croatian government promised to build in 1739, but only got round to in 1994 during the Homeland War.

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March 10, 2022 - TCN meets Kateryna, one of many Ukrainians escaping war to Croatia who is currently with her family in Ludbreg. 

My name is Kateryna and I’m Ukrainian.  I've never been so proud to be Ukrainian before, and I'm really happy to share my story with you. I always thought that when I'll tell people my story it will be something unbelievably interesting and positive but everything has changed in a moment. 

On the 24th of February, near 5 a.m. I woke up from the sound of explosions, Russia has started a full-scale war against Ukraine. My first thought was something really stupid like, should still go to the office for work or will we have a day off. I didn't realize what war is because I have never faced it. 

Starting from that day I was constantly on the move; first I was hiding in a village waiting for a few days and hoping it ends soon but then when the situation got worse, I made a difficult decision to leave Ukraine. Together with my family, we started a long way to safety. It was really difficult to drive since there was a lack of gas in petrol stations, we heard explosions and gunshots along the way, and we were trying to accept the fact that we are leaving our house, and, most importantly people we love. 

At the same time, we couldn’t have made it without help from other people. On the Moldovan border, locals provided us with food and water since we had to wait near the border for 5 or 6 hours. When we entered Romania, we had great support from locals as well, they helped to find our accommodation, food, and navigation because we came late at the evening and had no idea where to sleep or have rest. When we finally got to Croatia, Ludbreg, where we are safe and are able to keep living now, we received great help from locals, who have arranged accommodation for us, provided us with all the necessities, and keep helping with other things related to daily stuff, documents, and workspace. Not me nor my family have ever known these people before but they welcomed us with all the possible hospitality, and friendliness, which we will never forget.

Ukrainians will always remember all the help from people of different countries, nationalities, who are ready to support everyone in need.  

We are safe because of all of you who condemn war, give humanitarian help, and protect our country day and night. 

December 31, 2021 - The Via Saint Martin pilgrimage route in Ludbreg is the latest attraction to tempt tourists to the 'center of the world.' 

Imagine a region full of mysticism, miracles, stories, and legends; a region so specific that a thread runs through it that dates back to the very beginnings of civilization in this area; a thread that was upgraded with each new event, situation, success or defeat and which today is the culmination of the spatial, cultural, economic, social and, ultimately, civilizational projection of past times in today's circumstances, writes HRTurizam.

Then imagine a space that combines all the essential themes, tourist attractions, stories and legends, historical heritage, and cultural heritage of this area into one rounded whole.

Meet today's Ludbreg, a highly diverse town.

And from the present perspective, diversity is the word that best describes Ludbreg. Its historical and cultural heritage, tame and varied landscape make it an exciting place for rest, excursions, relaxation, explorations, or adventures in almost untouched nature. You can find everything in Ludbreg: traces of prehistory, remnants of ancient times, medieval and baroque castles and churches, widely known sanctuary, and exciting outdoor facilities. And now, a new tourist attraction is available that allows you to see old Ludbreg from a new perspective - the Via Saint Martin pilgrimage route.

The route passes through the town and the slopes of Ludbreg vineyards and connects all the religious content that tells its story with nature, local vineyards, and gastronomy. The route itself is a novelty that fits perfectly into the already existing story Ludbreg tells its visitors. By establishing the Via Saint Martin route, locals and visitors have improved access to religious sites, natural areas, and tourist facilities.

The motif of Saint Martin and the inspiration for his life connected Ludbreg and Zalaszentmarton, who developed this new product as part of the project. The pilgrimage route was established within the "Supporting the promotion and development of transnational pilgrimage routes linked to sustainable and cultural tourism" project, co-financed by the Cooperation Program INTERREG V-A Hungary - Croatia 2014 - 2020.

More information about the project can be found at https://viastmartin.com/.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

December 02, 2021 – From winter walks and cycling to festive lights, farmers markets and the arrival of Saint Nicholas, there's a full calendar of activity and fun at Christmas in Ludbreg

Sitting just an hour's drive northeast of the Croatian capital, the town of Ludbreg is easily among one of the most appealing day trips you can take from Zagreb. And, no more true is that than in the December holiday season.

Batthyany castle, Ludbreg, December 2021 © Nikolina Breber

The fields and hills surrounding Ludbreg are today still home to traditional agriculture and winemaking. In the winter season, the families of these farms and vineyards bring the best produce to sell in town. Sparkling with Christmas lights and with seasonal music events adding to the atmosphere, Ludbreg is a great place to pick up a Christmas gift.

But, the nature surrounding the town is not only loved for its produce. Winter and Christmas in Ludbreg is a great time for active events and keeping fit. You can here challenge yourself on a cross country trek or bike race this season.

There are events at Christmas in Ludbreg for everyone. From the youngest family members and their teenage siblings to mom, dad and grandparents too. Here's a look at December's seasonal calendar for Christmas in Ludbreg.

St. Nicholas Day - 5 December - Ciklokros League Ludbreg

© Ciklokros

Following a successful tour in spring, the second round of 2021's Ciklokros League is here. This time, it's a series of seven Sunday races that journey through the stunning Autumn/Winter landscapes of northwest Croatia. And, on 5th December, it's the Ludbreg race.

© Ciklokros

Cyclists will race successive laps of a 2000 metre course past the waters, lawns and trees of Ludbreg's Otok Mladosti. The fun trail is a mixture of dirt track, grass and course gravel path, unchallenging and perfect for any kind of bmx, mountain bike or cross country racer (more fragile, traditional road racing bikes perhaps wouldn't be so suitable and electric bikes are not permitted). Although keep an eye out – race organisers have placed some obstacles on the route for you to go around.

The event welcomes competitors all ages and abilities, with an initial race starting at 1pm and the second at 1.20pm. You can get more info here and apply to take part here, with the entry fee being just 50 kuna.

St. Nicholas Day - 6 December - Arrival of Saint Nicholas by Horse Drawn Carriage

© Matea Maltarić

Many children have to wait until Christmas Eve for a visit from Santa Claus. But, not the youngsters of Ludbreg. In Croatia, the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day is still observed traditionally on December 5/6th. Often, it's a time of gift-giving. Always, it's a time loved by the young people of Ludbreg.

Of course, Santa usually arrives on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But, there's simply no guarantee of the necessary snow so early in winter. So, in Ludbreg, Saint Nicholas arrives by horse-drawn carriage. Horses are a much-loved feature of sporting and social events in Ludbreg, with the town's summertime equestrian games now being a decade old.

© Matea Maltarić

Because it's his day, Saint Nicholas gets the first ride with the horses. But, after he arrives to greet everyone, his carriage and horses will take youngsters for a ride around Ludbreg. Children and families can arrange horse riding or a tour in a horse-drawn carriage around Ludbreg throughout the year.

Ivana Galić concert at Batthyany castle - 17 December

Batthyany castle, one of the venues for Christmas in Ludbreg © Siniša Sović

Despite her young years, singer Ivana Galić already has a performance career that stretches back some 20 years. She has appeared as part of choirs and ensembles and as a soloist at concerts across Europe. In her native Croatia, she is particularly well known for the vocals she lends to black music genres – jazz, soul and gospel. Indeed, she has performed in the UK as a guest of the renowned Birmingham Community Gospel Choir. It is to this gospel genre that Ivana Galić and her quartet return at this special Yuletide concert.

The venue for the concert is Batthyany castle. The focal point of Ludbreg Old Town, the castle today is a fully refurbished version of the opulent residence fashioned here in the 18th century (although, the original castle that stood on this spot is significantly older). What more spectacular setting could you ask for this special seasonal concert? The concert starts at 6pm.

Advent at Christmas in Ludbreg - 19 December

Christmas in Ludbreg 2021 © Nikolina Breber

Ludbreg is a wonderful town to visit at any time of year. But, during Advent, Ludbreg is particularly quaint and romantic. The town is dressed in flickering, seasonal lights and nowhere is the seasonal spirit better felt than on the parade of huts and stalls of the Christmas market.

Christmas in Ludbreg © Visit Ludbreg

This year, scents and flavours of the Christmas season will waft through the Ludbreg air on Sunday 19 December. On the occasion, folks from the surrounding family farms will come to town to show off the best of their seasonal produce. Looking for some authentic, tasty or traditional gifts? This is the place to come.

The Christmas market will start at 13.00 and run until 20.00. In 2021, it takes place in the newly renovated Zanatski trg (Craft square) and on the promenade.

Crazy Hill Trekk 2021 - 19 December

© ŠRD BSV Ludbreg

Some will wait until January before trying to shift the extra kilograms you gain eating rich Christmas food. Not in Ludbreg, where folks balance fine living with a healthy lifestyle. The cooler winter temperatures are perfect for a little exercise and exertion. That's exactly what you'll get at the second annual Crazy Hill Trekk.

© ŠRD BSV Ludbreg

This orienteering trek race will take you through the magical hills and forests that lie on the outskirts of Ludbreg - Vinogradi Ludbreški and Kalničko gorje. As the name suggests, the terrain around Vinogradi Ludbreški is a pretty landscape filled with neat rows of grapevines. Just to the south of Ludbreg a more rugged topography begins to emerge. The peaks of the Kalnik mountains form a natural border between the historic Croatian regions of Zagorje, Prigorje and Podravina. To their west is Zagreb County, to the south and east is Koprivnica- Križevci County and to their north is Varaždin County and Ludbreg. This is an incredible setting for a wintertime expedition.

© ŠRD BSV Ludbreg

The trek welcomes entrants of all abilities and experience. For trekkers who are more prepared and more experienced, there's the 18-20km trail, with a slightly more demanding orientation aspect. For lighter runners and those simply looking for some fun recreation in a fantastic winter setting, there's a 8-10km trail. The former should take much less than the maximum 6 hours set as a time limit, with an equally generous 4 hours set for the latter.

You can find out more about the trek races and apply to enter via here.

October 17, 2021 - November sees the vineyards of Croatia paying tribute to their protector, St. Martin. Visit the largest St. Vincent statue in the world as part of Wine & Walk Ludbreg.

The one town in Croaita which has surprised me more than any other during my 18 years here has been Ludbreg, an hour north of Zagreb in Varazdin County. 

I have made several visits since my first back in 2016, when I penned Ludbreg, the Most Fascinating, Unusual Little Town in Croatia? 

And that was before I made many more discoveries about this town which appears to be similar to those around it at first glance, but...

I had no idea that Ludbreg was a wine town, for instance, or that it had its own wine road at a time that more celebrated destinations such as Dalmatia did not. 

I also had no idea that for 30 years Ludbreg has been hosting the biggest international festival dedicated to young wines, which takes place in the town each January. 

And i was truly surprised to learn that Ludbreg is home to the largest St. Vincent statue in the world, which overlooks the vineyards of the area. Sv Vinko as he is known locally, is a protector of vineyards.

The Feast of St. Martin falls on November 11, and it is celebrated each year on or around that date in many vineyards all over Croatia. Known as Martinje, the vineyards are blessed and the young wines sampled. It is an important and fun day for locals and visitors alike. 

In order to mark this year's event, the Ludbreg Tourist Board, together with the town's winemakers, has organised Wine & Walk Ludbreg on November 6, a chance to get to know the town, wineries, food and nature of Ludbreg and the surrounding area. More from the tourist board:

A new eno-gastro recreational event takes you on an adventure through the vineyards and forests of Ludbreg.

"Wine & Walk Ludbreg" is a new eno-gastro recreational event intended for lovers of nature, wine, authentic, local gastronomic products, and walking.

Visitors will walk a new route inspired by the pilgrimage tradition of Ludbreg and the roads of St. Martin. The route, about 12 kilometers long, connects two "saints" - statues of St. Martin and St. Vincent which adorn the two hills that surround the city.

Participants will be guided through a wooded hilly landscape challenging enough to spend an active Saturday, and yet gentle enough for anyone looking for fun, socializing and recreation to go through.

Along the way, there will be tasting points or rest areas where winemakers will offer their authentic wines, local "snacks" and a breath of local culture and customs.

All participants of "Wine & Walk Ludbreg" will, with a registration fee of 150 kuna, receive a starter pack in which a special practical bag contains: a tasting glass, a route map, a voucher for participation and water, and at the start and, in particular, the finish will be fun and motivating.

Wine & Walk Ludbreg pilot is a release of a new tourist product Ludbreg which is strategically oriented in the direction of excursion, outdoor and gastro tourism. The term is located on the eve of the important wine holiday of St. Martin, and the walking route is inspired by the pilgrimage tradition of the Ludbreg region, which connects it with a number of similar ones across Europe, related to the name of St. Martin. 

You can register here.

Ludbreg Wine & Walk will start on November 6 from 9:30 to 11:00, and completion is scheduled for 17:00.

For the latest news from Ludbreg, follow the dedicated TCN section.

October 17, 2021 - Tired of watching the kids gaming on their gadgets? Take them back to Childhood as It Once Was and learn how to play Roman board games.

Getting kids interested in anything offline is getting harder and harder these days, but one place willing to try is the recently opened Iovia Archaeoogical Park in Ludbreg. 

Iovia, which was opened by the Minister of Culture in May this year, documents several thousand years of Ludbreg history, with corresponding Croatian and global chronologies, as well as featuring two Roman villas next door. Located just a few mintutes from the church which houses Croatia's only certified miracle, as well as Ludbreg's most famous claim - the Centre of the World - Iovia is a great addition to an action-packed day trip to this most unusual town. You can learn more about the Iovia Archaeological Park here.  

The top floor is home to a thoughtfully-designed seminar room, and one that will prove popular with kids when Iovia soon opens its doors to school eexcurisions. Among the interactive things to learn and try are a selection of Roman board games. There are three in all - Latrunkuli, Teri Lapilli, and Mlin - Merellus. A chance for kids to learn to play some new games offline, as well as to reflect, perhaps, on a childhood some 2,000 years before Instagram and Tik Tok. 

Iovia has made available the rules of the game, and I have added some video guides from YouTube.  

LATRUNKULI

Rules of the game:

In the game, two players face each other over a rectangular board marked with a grid of squares. Each player has the same number of chips, with one player differing from the other in color. In some versions of this game, each player also has a "dux", a special token with increased powers. The art of the game is in capturing the opponent's chips. The chips move all over the board and catch each other by surrounding each other; a token of one color caught between two others is removed from the game. The winner is the player who catches all the opposing parts.

TERNI LAPILLI

Rules of the game:

In the game, two players face off over a rectangular board marked by a square with nine squares (chip slots) connected by lines (two or four lines that intersect in the center). In addition to various square variants, wheel-like circular surfaces are also known. Each player has three chips, with one player differing from the other in color. The winner is the player who first combines three chips in a row. The game is considered the ancestor of the modern version of tic - tac - toe, and is often identified with one version of the ancient game Mlin or Merellus (Three men 's morris). Many details about this game have remained puzzling to this day. Lately, researchers of ancient games have challenged the application of the circular variant because it is likely that the incised wheels served as bases for other types of games, such as various throwing games.

MLIN - MERELLUS

Mlin (Mill) is a game for two players. The plate consists of three concentric squares and several transversals, making 24 points of intersection. Each player has nine chips, usually in black and white. Players take turns placing a chip anywhere on the board, trying to create a series of three of their own chips (mill). Each player tries to prevent his opponent from forming his own order. Whoever forms a row of three may remove one of the opponent's chips (provided it is not part of the whole row). Once all the chips have been placed, each player alternately moves one chip to the adjacent free spot. Then each tries to create rows and remove the opponent's chips once the player has only three chips left on the board, he can move his chip to any available space. The winner is the player who reduces the opponent to two chips.

You can learn more about Iovia Archaeological Park on the official website.  

Learn more about Ludreg in the TC Ludbreg in a Page guide.

September 27, 2021 - The rich heritage of continuous habitation in continental Croatia dating back to the pre-Roman era is documented in the new Iovia Archaeological Park in Ludbreg. 

One of the surprising discoveries in the fascinating world of continental Croatian tourism a few years ago was finding out that the oldest continuously inhabited town in Europe was located there. I must confess that when I heard this, I was very surprised - even more so when I had never actually heard of the town. It was just one of the many interesting things you can learn about Vinkovci: 10 Things to Know about Europe's Oldest Town.

Visitors to the Adriatic coast will be familiar with the rich Roman history, with fabulous examples of its glorious past to be found in UNESCO World Heritage Site, Diocletian's Palace in Split, the Pula Area, and ancient Salona in Solin. Lesser known is the rich Roman history further inland in Croatia. 

An important addition to preserving this heritage opened in June this year, in the form of the Iovia Archaeological Park in Ludbreg. Opened in June this year by the Minister of Culture and located on Ludbreg's main square, which is famous for its claim to be the centre of the world, the Iovia Archaeological Park provides a timeline with artifacts of the history of Ludbreg, Croatia, and the world through a variety of multimedia tools. 

The timeline, which takes visitors through the important points of Ludbreg's long history, starts back in 20,000 BC, with the discovery of Erica, the most extensive and best-preserved Pleistocene woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) in Croatia. Erica was found in Mali Sigecak near Ludbreg in 1982.

Archaeological research in Ludbreg started in earnest some time before Erica's discovery, back in 1966. These continued from 1968 to 1979 and were conducted by the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. And it appeared that Ludbreg had quite a history.  Far from being a modern town, evidence of continuous living dating back over two millennia was unearthed. 

While the Roman era is perhaps the best-preserved, evidence of pre-historic sites from the first century BC to 4,000 BC were found in the wider Ludbreg area: Donji Martijanec, Globočec, Jalžabet, Ludbreg, Ludbreg - Katalena, Ludbreški Ivanac, Martijanec, Sigetec Ludbreški, Struga, Sveti Đurđ, Sveti Petar Ludbreški, Veliki Bukovec, and Vrbanovec.

The Roman settlement of Iovia, the forerunner of Ludbreg, was founded probably sometime after the end of the first century AD. In 1931, iron and bronze decorative parts of a Roman chariot dating back to the 2nd century AD were found in a tumulus, almost certainly the work of a Pannonian workshop. 

(A Roman cat leaves its mark in footprints)

The earliest archaeological finds dated Roman influence to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The first known Roman find was back in 1859, a fragment with an inscription VALERIANVS CENTVRIO LEGIAE HIC IN LOCO IOVIA DICTO. This was followed in 1906 by part of a large bronze statue of a Roman Emperor. Then in 1942, a fragment of an altar with an inscription DEO SILVANO and IOVIA, the only preserved epigraphic confirmation of Iovia from Ludbreg. 

The biggest exhibit in the main building has been dated to around 420 AD. This is the skeleton of a man (about 55 years old) with neurosurgical intervention (trepanation) on the left side of the skull.  He was buried with one silver buckle ring in a tomb made out of tegulae located in an adjacent Roman building. 

From 2008 to 2011, the Croatian Restoration Institute conducted systematic archaeological research in the center of the town of Ludbreg ("Vrt Somođi"). During these works, the Roman building 1 (total gross area 230 m²) and most of the Roman building 2 (assumed gross area around 1780 m²) were fully explored. The excavated footprints of these buildings now constitute the external part of Iovia Archaeological Park behind the exhibition building. 

The Iovia bathing house (Roman object 1) typologically belongs to the group of smaller baths (balneae), while according to the organization of space it belongs to the group of undiluted baths. Due to the spatial relationship with the neighbouring Roman facility, it can be defined as private. Such a form of bathing was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. The Iovia bathing house and the thermal springs in Varaždinske Toplice (Aquae Iasae) are the only fully explored facilities for this purpose in the Croatian part of the Roman province of Pannonia.

North of the baths, most of the Roman building 2 was explored, organized around a rectangular (uncovered) courtyard and defined on the west side by a porch. The building was built at the same time as the swimming pool, and was rebuilt and enlarged over the following centuries.

The two buildings were deemed to have been built during the second half of the 1st century and abandoned by 420 at the latest. They are typologically the most similar to the portico and peristyle type villas. This type was one of the most frequently used floor plan in the Pannonian, ie Danube - Balkan area.

Iovia Archaeological Park is using different tools to bring to life the Roman and pre-historic past of the Ludbreg. One of the key target markets for Iovia is the younger generation, and many school trips are expected once the COVID-19 situation improves. The top floor is given over to a creative space for workshops, using various tools to bring to life a past era. Among these is the intriguing opportunity to learn how to play a variety of Roman board games. We will take a look at the Roman games on offer in Ludbreg - Latrunkuli, Terni Lapilli, and Mlin (Merellus) in a subsequent article. 

Tourism in continental Croatia is developing step by step. There is a huge story to be told of its rich heritage, and Iovia Archaeological Park is one more important step in the jigsaw. You can learn more about Iovia from the official website. 

For the latest news from Ludbreg, follow the dedicated TCN section.

September 6, 2021 - Thousands of pilgrims gathered in Ludbreg yesterday for Holy Sunday 2021, the annual celebration of the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg.

The first Sunday in September in Ludbreg was traditionally reserved for the annual celebration in honor of the Precious Blood of Christ, as a reminder of the miracle that took place in Ludbreg 610 years ago.

The central Eucharistic celebration this year, on Sunday, September 5, was presided over by Msgr. Dr. László Német, Bishop of Zrenjanin and President of the International Bishops' Conference of St. Cyril and Methodius. The concelebration was also attended by the Apostolic Nuncios in the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Giorgio Lingua and the bishops of the Zagreb metropolis: Msgr. Vlado Košić, Bishop of Sisak, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci and hosts Msgr. Bože Radoš, Bishop of Varaždin and Msgr. Josip Mrzljak, retired bishop, along with numerous priests of the Zagreb metropolis.

Thousands of pilgrims arrived in Ludbreg from the early morning hours and participated in the spiritual program, on the eve of the solemn open-air Holy Mass in the Votive Chapel of the Croatian Parliament.

Representatives of the civil authorities also took part in the central Mass: the envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament, the Vice-President of the Parliament, Academician Željko Reiner; Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Varaždin County Prefect Anđelko Stričak; the mayor of Ludbreg Dubravko Bilić, members of parliament, prefects, mayors and heads of surrounding counties, cities and municipalities, president and councilors of the Ludbreg city council.

Before the Mass, the gathered were greeted by the local pastor and guardian of the sanctuary, Msgr. Josip Đurkan, and then academician Reiner, who expressed special honor and satisfaction to be in Ludbreg again, saying that the sanctuary of the Precious Blood of Christ in Ludbreg is a place, not only of prayer and faith, but also the strongest link between the two institutions: the Church and the Croatian Parliament. .

-I send my wishes and prayers from this holy place for the joint commitment of the Croatian Parliament and the Church, but also the entire Croatian society to rebuild not only everything destroyed in the earthquake and pandemic, but also to rebuild the much-needed unity of Croatian citizens. In the deep and sincere faith that we have the strength to overcome all the challenges and objective difficulties we face, our fears, weaknesses and differences, dear God protect us all and protect our only and eternal Croatia - said, among other things, Deputy Speaker Zeljko Reiner.

Words of greeting and welcome on the eve of the Holy Mass were also sent by the Bishop of Varaždin, Božo Radoš, especially Msgr. Német, who came to the shrine of the Precious Blood of Christ in Ludbreg for the first time and gladly accepted to preside over this celebration of Mass. He also greeted other bishops, priests, representatives of civil authorities and numerous pilgrims from many parts of our country and beyond.

- You are here with a pilgrim's prayer in your heart that God's love, which is shed by the Blood of Christ, may warmly touch your way of life, heal the wounded and painful in you and your families. May God receive your thanks and blessings of prayer - said Bishop Radoš.

At the beginning of his homily, the pre-celebrant of the Mass, Msgr. Német reminded of the Eucharistic miracle in Ludbreg that happened 610 years ago, and then the vow of the Croatian Parliament on the construction of a votive chapel in Ludbreg from the 18th century, which was fulfilled only 25 years ago. He then pointed out that the fact that the members of Parliament expressed their deep conviction in the name of the Croatian people that the Blood of Christ can stop even the greatest evils, and that was a plague at the time, is an act of faith, an act of trust in God and his Son in power. The Precious Blood of Christ.

He also addressed those responsible for our society, for the state, for the good of the entire Croatian people.

- You, dear Members of Parliament, have a huge responsibility for the present of this beautiful country and even more for the future of the young generations that are coming after us. Today there is no plague in these parts, but hara Covid, unemployment, poverty, the departure of young people abroad. A bunch of problems and challenges! - Bishop Német emphasized.

He added that it would be irresponsible to talk only about challenges and problems, and instructed him to look at the pilgrims, those who follow this celebration through the media, and to find an incentive to create the future.

-If those who are responsible for our homeland know how to use this positive capital, this human strength, strengthened by faith in God's action, it will be much easier and safer to create a better, happier and more perfect Croatia.-, said the preacher.

At the end of the homily, he also mentioned the last owner of the Batthyany castle, in whose chapel the Ludbreg miracle took place. It was Ladislav Batthyány-Strattmann, who died 90 years ago in Vienna, and Pope John Paul II in 2003, he declared him blessed. Namely, Ladislav Batthyány-Strattmann was a doctor, and even during his lifetime he was called a doctor of the poor. He was a good father of the family, with his wife he had eleven children. He used his family fortune to build several hospitals in what was then Hungary, where he performed medical services many times free of charge. What's more: he knew how to feed the poor, to host them on his estates.

-I think his character, his way of life suits this place very well. Just as he wanted to eradicate the evil that destroys our lives, so Ludbreg and the worship of the Precious Blood of Christ should work to eradicate evil from our lives. - said Bishop Nemet and concluded his homily: -Let Ludbreg be a place of healing. May all who come here, be they dumb, blind, lame, sick of any disease, people full of unrest, anger, envy, revenge, experience here the healing power of the Precious Blood of Christ. Let it be in Ludbreg as in today's Gospel: Jesus healed the sick! May Jesus heal us here in Ludbreg today.-

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, which was magnified by the parish choir of the Parish of the Holy Trinity in Ludbreg, Msgr. Božo Radoš sent words of thanks to everyone and wished that this place would touch them, open everyone's ears and mouths, and bring the grace of pilgrimage further into life.

The mayor of Ludbreg, Dubravko Bilić, once again sent words of welcome to the pilgrims the day before:

- And while last year we could think that it was a year of testing for our humanity and humanity, a year of testing our personal responsibility towards the community in which we live and of which we are a part, a year of testing for the community we talk about so much and mostly in vain, today we can to say that we as a global community have failed. And while rich countries are talking about a third vaccination, poor countries in Africa, South America or Asia have not even received the first dose of the vaccine. While we desperately need as many vaccines as possible, we bid with the prices of that drug at $ 10 or $ 20 or $ 30, and people in some countries work all month to feed their families for about $ ten. While some are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in hypocritical anti-vaccination media campaigns, creating mistrust in science and spreading a culture of lies, millions of people in poor countries are dying from the effects of the Covid 19 infection and could be cured with that money. We have failed as inhabitants of this planet in our hearts, we have allowed selfishness to guide us in our decisions instead of using this challenge to fix everything we all know is not good. In fact, as soon as we saw that money could buy health, it showed how selfish we can be, how much our own satisfaction and self-centeredness can blur our concern for others and our common good. We have become a global community of inaction, excuses and powerlessness in the fight for justice and fairness, in the fight for every human life. We have become more selfish than ever and we are always ready to justify this selfishness only with our own good. We have become cowards in a non-heroic century in which everything can be obtained immediately on credit without waiting and suffering. We are on our way to annul two centuries of solidarity and respect for those closest to us, but also the farthest from us, to annul the agreements we have long and painstakingly built as a community in which we all feel safe, in which we do not leave each other because they are too slow. we do not give up on each other because we do not have time for them - said Mayor Bilic.

For a Croatian version of this article, click here.

To learn more about Ludbreg and the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg, check out the Total Croatia Ludbreg in a Page guide, as well as the miracle video below.

ZAGREB, 5 Sept, 2021 - A traditional annual pilgrimage organised under the auspice of the Croatian parliament to the Catholic shrine in the town of Ludbreg was held on Sunday, with the Bishop of Zrenjanin, Laszlo Nemet, leading the service that was attended by a few thousand believers.

During the sermon, the bishop said in his message to parliamentary deputies who attended the mass and this votive pilgrimage, that both the present and the future of the country was their responsibility.

In reference to 1739 when plague had spread in the region, which prompted the then Croatian parliament to keep its vow to protect the nation from plague and therefore had a chapel built in Ludbreg and the present-day COVID-19 pandemic, the bishop said that there were also many challenges today such as COVID-19  disease, unemployment, the departure of young people from Croatia. And also there are many positive things, the bishop said, underscoring the positive vibrations among the faithful.

Several thousand pilgrims today flocked the northern town of Ludbreg that houses a unique Eucharistic shrine in Croatia, founded by a papal bull in 1513.

In attendance at today's rites was Deputy Parliament Speaker Željko Reiner, who among other things, called for vaccination of citizens against coronavirus "as the sole rational, efficient and civilisational achievement in the fight against contagious diseases."

He recalled that Pope Francis had also urged people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

 August 27, 2021 - The miracle town of Ludbreg will be celebrating Croatia's only miracle certified by the Vatican - a look at the rich religious programme for Holy Sunday 2021.

Croatia is a very Catholic country, and yet I am constantly surprised at how few locals, even the religious ones, can name the only miracle in the country which has been certified by the Vatican.  As more than a million pilgrims head to the unrecognised Medjugorje in nearby Herzegovina each year, interest in Croatia's actual miracle goes largely unnoticed, apart the first weekend of September. 

Having lived in Jelsa on Hvar for many years, I have seen the importance of religious  tradition first-hand with the annual Za Krizen (Behind the Cross) procession, now a part of UNESCO intangible heritage. Other reglious celebrations of patron saints, such as St Blaise in Dubrovnik, St Domnius in Split, or the 100,000 pilgrims who head to seen on the Feast of the Assumption get wide coverage and are well-known  in Croatia. 

And yet, the only actual miracle seems to be little known outside of its region. I have lost count of the number of religious locals I have asked to name the only certifid miracle in Croatia, and they express surprise when I tell them that it is to be found in the town they know better as the Centre of the World.

But the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg was authenticated by Papal Bull by Pope Leo X back  in 1513, after the local priest expressed doubts about transubstantiation. His doubt turned to horror, as the wine turned  to blood. That holy blood is displayed  in a glass case in a chalice in the main church in Ludbreg, having beeen paraded through the streets of Rome after its authentication all those years ago.  You can learn more about the story in the video below. 

Despite its relatively unknown status as Croatia's only certified miracle, some 100,000 people visit Ludbreg each September to celebrate the Holy Blood of Christ. There are an array of activities - many religious, many not - and this curious little town bursts into life for the few days leading up to the  Holy Sunday finale. 

The main holy mass takes place on Sunday, September 5, in the park in front of a rather unusual church with a more unusual history. Built in 1994 after the fulfilment of a Croatian government promise to construct a church in Ludbreg is God would stop the plague in 1738, the church is only used once a year for this mass. 

It is highly unlikely that there will be 100,000 pilgrims this year, due to the epidemiological measures, but there is a very full programme for those wishing to attend, both religious and other. The full programmes are below in English, but please check the Ludbreg Tourist Board Facebook page for the latest advice regarding the measures. 

Holy Sunday 2021 follows on from what has been a good year for the miracle town. Earlier this year, the Archaeological Park Iovia opened on the main square, a major new attraction for the town. This has been followed by a very lively tourism programme under the heading Active Ludbreg Summer. 

THE PROGRAMME OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY BLOOD OF CHRIST 2021.

Saturday, August 28^th, 2021 – Youth Pilgrimage

18:00 Holy Mass

19:30 Spiritual music festival „Duga“

Sunday, August 29^th, 2021 – The pilgrimage of the sick persons and persons with disabilities, hospice workers, medical staff and the staff from the Ludbreg Red Cross

7:00 Holy Mass in the parish church

8:00 Holy Mass in the parish church

10:00 The pilgrims' procession from the parish church to the votive chapel, the devotion of the Stations of the Cross and Holy Mass

19:00 Sang recitations and litanies for the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass

Monday, August 30^th, 2021

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass

Tuesday, August 31^st, 2021

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass

Wednesday, September 1^st, 2021

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass

HOLY THURSDAY, September 2^nd, 2021 – The pilgrimage of the altar boys and the catechists

19:30 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (mons. Bože Radoš, the Bishop of Varaždin)

Sung celebrations and litanies of the Holy Blood, evening

21:00 The Holy Hour of Gethsemane

HOLY FRIDAY, September 3^rd, 2021 – The votive pilgrimage of the neighbouring parishes and the pilgrimage for the military and the police

7:00 Holy Mass – Martijanec parish

8:00 Holy Mass - Sveti Đurđ parish

9:00 Holy Mass - Veliki Bukovec parish

10:00 The procession from the church to the votive chapel, the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass (mons. Jure Bogdan, military chaplain), joined by the pilgrims from Rasinja and Vinica

19:00 Sung recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass (lead by the venerable Matej Glavica, this year's chaplain and spiritual leader)

21:00 The youth wake

HOLY SATURDAY, September 4th, 2021 – The pilgrimage of the parishes from Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary

6:00 Holy Mass

7:00 Holy Mass

9:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel, in Slovenian and Hungarian languages

10:45 The procession by the pilgrims, from the parish church to the votive chapel

11:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (lead by mons. Vjekoslav Huzjak, Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci, co-celebrated by mons. Božo Radoš and mons. Josip Mrzljak) – the celebration will be supported by the choir lead by sister Kristina Cenkovčan

THE CONFESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM THE MORNING, IN THE ATRIUM OF THE CHURCH, AND DURING THE HOLY MASS IN THE OUTDOORS AREA OF THE VOTIVE CHAPEL.

The Afternoon programme:

13:00 – 15:00 The Eucharistic Adoration to the Holy Altar Sacrament in the Votive chapel for the spiritual healing of our families

15:00 The devotion of the stations of the Holy Cross and the blessing of the pilgrims

19:30 Sung recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass

20:00 Holy Mass (lead by the Missionaries of the Blood of Jesus)

HOLY SUNDAY, September 5^th, 2021

6:00 Holy Mass

7:00 Holy Mass

8:00 Receiving the pilgrims

9:00 The spiritual programme in the votive chapel (lead by venerable Matej Glavica)

9:45 The pilgrims' procession from the parish church to the votive chapel

10:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (lead by mons. dr. László Német, Bishop of Zrenjanin, joined by the other bishops and priests in the pilgrimage)

The afternoon programme:

13:00 – 15:00 The Adoration of the Holy Sacrament of the Altar in the votive chapel, for the spiritual professions in Croatia

15:00 The piety of the Stations of the Cross and the blessing of the pilgrims along the main path of the pilgrimage

17:00 The Rosary of God's Mercy in the parish church

19:00 Sung recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening prayer

19:40 The Holy Mass of gratitude in the votive chapel

We ask the priests to please bring their surplice and tippet in red.

All the information is available in the parish office, phone: 042 811 116, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LET'S CELEBRATE THE HOLY BLOOD!

Mons. Josip Đurkan

Parish priest

Days of Ludbreg Holy Sunday 2021

The Organisers:

The town of Ludbreg

Ludbreg Parish

The town of Ludbreg Tourist Board

The Center for the Culture and Information

Radio Ludbreg d.o.o. and Lukom d.o.o.

Days of Ludbreg Holy Sunday 2021

Patronized by the Croatian Parliament

CELEBRATION PROGRAMME:

August, 27th (Friday)

20:30* - A Concert by the mixed choir „Podravina“ (Batthyany Castle)

August, 30th (Monday)

20:00* – A Concert Through the Generations (Batthyany Castle)

August 31st (Tuesday)

18:00 – A presentation of the Podravina Anthology (Batthyany Castle)

September 1st (Wednesday)

17:00 – The opening of the exhibition by Eva Vučković „Crvena nit“ (A Read Line) (Bakina Hiža)

19:00 – A presentation of the Croatian writer Ante Marinčić (Batthyany Castle)

September 2nd (Thursday)

11:00 – The opening of the House of Sun in Sigec Ludbreški

14:00 – The opening of the offices of the Varaždinski Cvijet co-operation

16:00 – The presentation of the Honey Cuisine of Ludbreg (Vintners' Association „Trstek“ Cellar)

17:00 – The opening of the Ludbreg Fair (Ludbreški sejem), supported by the Ducati komponenti d.o.o. Ludbreg (Sv. Trojstva Square)

21:00 – The Concert by Jura Stublić & Film Group (in front of the NK Podravina stadium) 

September 3rd, 2020 (Friday)

8:00 – Ludbreg Fair (Sv. Trojstva Square)

17:00 – The Source of Inspiration – the literary competition of the spiritual creation, held by Radio Ludbreg (Center for the Culture and Information)

18:00 – The opening of the exhibition of the sacred motives by Marija Kovačić (Batthyany Castle)

19:00* - The concert by the Town of Ludbreg Wind Orchestra (Batthyany Castle)

21:00 – Maja Šuput concert (in front of the NK Podravina stadium)

September 4th (Saturday)

8:00 – Ludbreg Fair (Sv. Trojstva Square)

9:00 – 11:00 Oldtimer car exhibition (Zanatski Square)

21:00 – Željko Bebek concert (in front of the NK Podravina stadium)

September 5th (Sunday)

8:00 – Ludbreg Fair (Sv. Trojstva Square)

SPORTS PROGRAMME:

August 28th, (Saturday)

9:00 – The Memorial Tennis Tournament „Marijan Kovačić“ (Tennis Centre Ludbreg)

15:00 – Trap shooting competition, organized by the Hunters' Association „Srnjak“ (Ludbreg Hunters' Lodge)

August 29th (Sunday)

9:00 – Trap shooting competition, organized by the Hunters' Association „Srnjak“

11:00 – Beach volleyball competition (Ludbreg Sports Hall)

September 4th (Saturday)

17:00 – Championship football game, NK Podravina – NK Mladost Ždralovi (town stadium Ludbreg)

RELIGIOUS PROGRAMME:

August 28^th (Saturday) – Youth Pilgrimage

18:00 Holy Mass

19:30 Spiritual music festival „Duga“ 

August 29^th (Sunday) – The pilgrimage of the sick persons and persons with disabilities, hospice workers, medical staff and the staff from the Ludbreg Red Cross

7:00 Holy Mass in the parish church

8:00 Holy Mass in the parish church

10:00 The pilgrims' procession from the parish church to the votive chapel, the devotion of the Stations of the Cross and Holy Mass

19:00 Sung recitations and litanies for the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass

August 30^th (Monday)

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass

August 31^st (Tuesday)

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass 

September 1^st (Wednesday)

7:30 Holy Mass

19:00 Holy Mass

September 2^nd (Holy Thursday) – The pilgrimage of the altar boys and the catechists

19:30 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (mons. Bože Radoš, the Bishop of Varaždin)

Sang celebrations and litanies of the Holy Blood, evening

21:00 The Holy Hour of Gethsemane 

September 3^rd (Holy Friday) – The votive pilgrimage of the neighbouring parishes and the pilgrimage for the military and the police

7:00 Holy Mass – Martijanec parish

8:00 Holy Mass - Sveti Đurđ parish

9:00 Holy Mass - Veliki Bukovec parish

10:00 The procession from the church to the votive chapel, the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass (mons. Jure Bogdan, military chaplain), joined by the pilgrims from Rasinja and Vinica

19:00 Sang recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass (lead by the venerable Matej Glavica, this year's chaplain and spiritual leader)

21:00 The youth wake 

September 4^th (Holy Saturday) – The pilgrimage of the parishes from Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary

6:00 Holy Mass

7:00 Holy Mass

9:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel, in Slovenian and Hungarian languages

10:45 The procession by the pilgrims, from the parish church to the votive chapel

11:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (lead by mons. Vjekoslav Huzjak, Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci, co-celebrated by mons. Božo Radoš and mons. Josip Mrzljak) – the celebration will be supported by the choir lead by sister Kristina Cenkovčan

THE CONFESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM THE MORNING, IN THE ATRIUM OF THE CHURCH, AND DURING THE HOLY MASS IN THE OUTDOORS AREA OF THE VOTIVE CHAPEL.

The Afternoon programme:

13:00 – 15:00 The Eucharistic Adoration to the Holy Altar Sacrament in the Votive chapel for the spiritual healing of our families

15:00 The devotion of the stations of the Holy Cross and the blessing of the pilgrims

19:30 Sang recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening Holy Mass

20:00 Holy Mass (lead by the Missionaries of the Blood of Jesus)

September 5^th (Holy Sunday)

6:00 Holy Mass

7:00 Holy Mass

8:00 Receiving of the pilgrims

9:00 The spiritual programme in the votive chapel (lead by venerable Matej Glavica)

9:45 The pilgrims' procession from the parish church to the votive chapel

10:00 Holy Mass in the votive chapel (lead by mons. dr. László Német, Bishop of Zrenjanin, joined by the other bishops and priests in the pilgrimage)

The afternoon programme:

13:00 – 15:00 The Adoration of the Holy Sacrament of the Altar in the votive chapel, for the spiritual professions in Croatia

15:00 The piety of the Stations of the Cross and the blessing of the pilgrims along the main path of the pilgrimage

17:00 The Rosary of God's Mercy in the parish church

19:00 Sang recitations and litanies to the Holy Blood, evening prayer

19:40 The Holy Mass of gratitude in the votive chapel

For the latest guidelines due to epidemiological measures, check the Ludbreg Tourist Board  Facebook page. 

To learn more about Ludbreg and its unique religious heritage,  check out the Total Croatia Ludbreg in a Page guide.