Page 205 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA  203

THE NORTHERN

COUNTIES

The landscape in this part of Croatia is made up of a variety of elements: the
rolling hills of Zagorje with their therapeutic spring waters and thermal spas;
the county of Međimurje, which is famous for its wines; the cities of Varaždin
and Čakovec, which developed around ancient castles; Koprivnica, surrounded
by lush countryside and vineyards, and Bjelovar and Križevci with their palaces.
The principal towns in the area have The high hills of Zagorje are covered in
ancient origins and two, Varaždin and forests, broken up only by the clearings
Križevci, were also at various times the created for imposing medieval castles,
seat of the Sabor, the Croatian Parliament. many of which have since been
Bjelovar is the most recent and largest transformed into sumptuous Baroque
city-fortress in the country. Even before residences. In Podravina, drained by the
the 1991 war which affected the south of River Drava, which in some parts flows
this area, the wars of the second half of the along the Hungarian border, the hills are
18th century had already destroyed all lower and are characterized by vineyards
evidence of the Middle Ages and Turkish and sparse woodland.
occupation. However, there are many This part of Croatia has preserved all
religious buildings in the area, including kinds of ancient customs and traditions,
a number of Catholic Franciscan and a source of inspiration for the Naive art
Pauline monasteries in places once movement. The home of Naive art is
inhabited by Orthodox communities. Hlebine, where artists such as Ivan
Religious life is still very active here and Generalić encouraged and fostered the
church buildings are cherished. talent of local amateur painters.

Stacks of maize in the countryside between Belec and Marija Bistrica
The Black Madonna of Marija Bistrica, visited by pilgrims in their thousands

202-203_EW_Croatia.indd 203 17/10/2014 12:00