Page 219 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

THE NOR THERN C OUNTIES  217

Tips for Drivers
Length of tour: 100 km
(62 miles).
Stops: Toplice Hotel, A
Mihanovića 2, Krapinske T,
(049) 202 202; Hotel Minerva,
Trg slobode 1, Varaždinske T,
(042) 630 534.
n Stubičke T, V Šipeka 24,
(049) 282 727; Krapinske T,
Zagrebačka 4, (049) 232 106;
Terme Tuhelj, Gajeva 4, (049)
203 000; Sutinske T, (049)
466 627; Varaždinske T,
(042) 633 133.

Varaždin Decorated interior of the church of St Mary of the Snows, Belec
Ludbreg t Belec y Varaždinske
Map D1. * 500. @ from Zabok. Toplice
n Regional: D G Krambergera 1, Map D1. * 2,000. £ from Zagreb
Krapina, (049) 233 653. and Novi Marof. @ from Zagreb.
Novi Marof n Trg slobode 16, (042) 633 133.
Among the hills of Zagorje is ∑ toplice-vz.hr
the village of Belec, much loved
by art historians, because on its The waters that gush from a
outskirts is the small Church of sulphurous spring at the foot of
St George (Sv. Jurja), one of the the hill south of Varaždin were
few Romanesque buildings known to the Jasi, an Illyrian
preserved in inland Croatia. The tribe, in the 3rd century BC.
bell tower takes up nearly all The town was known as Aquae
of the façade (it resembles a Jasae by the Romans, and the
defensive tower rather than a spa rapidly developed, as shown
campanile). On the right is a by the numerous archaeological
small portico with two thin finds discovered here. The baths
columns. This leads to the were used until the area was
interior, where there is an ornate invaded by the Goths. Later, a
Gothic altar and interesting landslide buried the baths in
frescoes dating from the year mud and for centuries they
of its construction. were forgotten.
Lower down the hillside is the In the 12th century, under
Church of St Mary of the Snows the rule of the bishop of
(Sv. Marija Snježna), constructed Zagreb, a village was founded
by the Keglević family in 1674. with the name of Toplissa and
This church is considered a the inhabitants began to use
6 Varaždinske Toplice masterpiece of Croatian the hot water from the spring
The spa resort in Varaždinske Baroque, because of its once more. During the
Toplice is one of the oldest in sumptuously decorated and construction of the present-
Croatia. The first baths were set up ornamented interior. The day resort, the Roman town
by the Romans at the end of the monk and artist Ivan Ranger was rediscovered.
18th century and are still in use. (see p210) painted some of his Varaždinske Toplice also
The first public spa was opened trompe-l’œil masterpieces here, boasts a medieval district which
to the public in 1820. The thermal including Scenes from the Old includes a castle, part of which
waters are used to treat rheumatic Testament and Episodes of the houses a History Museum.
and orthopaedic conditions.
Virgin Mary’s Life. The church Inside a small fortress is the
also has a magnificent main parish church with an organ
altar, surrounded by cherubs from 1766 and two carved altars
0 km 5 and saints. made by Francesco Robba.
0 miles 5 In a nearby park is Seoska
R Church of St Mary Kuća, a 19th-century rural
of the Snows house with furniture and
Tel (049) 460 040. Open by appt. objects from the same era.
For keys to symbols see back flap

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