Zagorske Gore to be northern Croatia’s first protected Nature Park

(Photo credit: Varaždinksa županija)

The Ivanščica, Strahinjščica, Macelj, Ravna Gora, and Bednja regions in northern Croatia are renowned for their rich natural and cultural heritage, including rare and newly discovered plant and animal species previously unknown in Croatia.

Spanning over 300 square kilometres across five towns and nine municipalities in Varaždin and Krapina-Zagorje counties, this area has been proposed for designation as a nature park, called “Zagorske Gore”.

At a public presentation in Varaždin, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition discussed the proposed law to establish the park.

The consultation process began in September and will conclude on 23rd October 2024. Croatia’s Environment Minister, Marija Vučković, highlighted the significance of the area’s diverse habitats, geological sites, rare flora and fauna, and historic landmarks such as castles and caves.

(Photo credit: Varaždinksa županija)

She expressed optimism for the park’s approval in early 2025, emphasising its importance for promoting the beauty of the Zagorje region both nationally and across Europe.

Minister of Justice, Administration, and Digital Transformation, Damir Habijan, who initially proposed the park’s protection four years ago, also spoke. He expressed pride in seeing the initiative come this far and hopes for parliamentary approval in 2025.

The park, if established, would be the first in northern Croatia and the country’s 13th nature park, Varaždin County said.

Varaždin County Prefect, Anđelko Stričak, supported the proposal, noting that the park would help preserve natural assets and boost local development through eco-agriculture, tourism, and product branding.

He highlighted key sites within the proposed park, including Trakošćan Castle, Vindija Cave, and the extinct volcano Gaveznica, which he believes will make “Zagorske Gore” a popular destination.

(Photo credit: Varaždinksa županija)

Aljoša Duplić, head of the Environmental Protection and Nature Institute, detailed the area’s geological and ecological features. The park hosts over 20 geological sites, including two protected caves, Vindija and Mačkova, as well as historical mining locations that offer insight into the region’s past.

The proposed area also contains over 114 caves with a rich cave fauna, such as the endemic species Niphargus cerjanensis, discovered in Cerjanska Cave.

Forests cover 78% of the proposed park area, featuring rare and relict woodland communities, including large-leaved linden, yew, beech, and fir. These forests are crucial for conserving various rare fungi, beetles, birds, and bats—60% of Croatia’s bat species inhabit this region.

The grassland habitats are also home to 46 species and subspecies of orchids. With over 1,200 recorded plant species, the proposed nature park is one of Croatia’s most botanically significant areas, containing a fifth of the nation’s flora within its boundaries.