Zagreb County, a destination rich in history and cultural heritage, has introduced a new souvenir featuring a truly distinctive design. The latest addition to its promotional collection is a series of T-shirts adorned with a traditional pattern inspired by 19th- and early 20th-century folk costume, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted traditions. The design is based on the Turopolje kožuh—a leather waistcoat once worn as part of the area’s traditional attire.
Turopolje, known for centuries as the “Noble Municipality of Turopolje,” is renowned for its wooden architecture and its rich tangible and intangible heritage. The Turopolje kožuh represents an essential element of this legacy. The family that continues to craft these traditional garments today proudly points out that one such kožuh was once gifted to former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush.
More insight into the Turopolje kožuh, which dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was shared by Tina Miličević, daughter of Tomislav Miličević, the artisan who created the vest presented to Laura Bush as a gift from one of Croatia’s folklore ensembles.
“The Turopolje kožuh was traditionally worn during winter. There was a men’s version with long sleeves and a women’s sleeveless vest. It was made from tanned leather and is unique in that the ornamental patterns are identical in both the men’s and women’s versions. What makes this garment truly special is that the decorative leather beads were hand-sewn, the result of long and meticulous craftsmanship. Every detail—from the leather ornaments to the sheep’s wool—is sewn entirely by hand,” explains Tina Miličević, whose father has been preserving this tradition since the 1990s.
The Zagreb County Tourist Board chose to promote the distinctive pattern of the Turopolje kožuh because of its authenticity and uniqueness. In recent years, the Tourist Board has focused on creating souvenirs designed for everyday use—such as T-shirts and bracelets featuring various local motifs—that have consistently captured public attention.
“We love souvenirs that people actually use and enjoy wearing. These T-shirts represent the third edition of souvenirs featuring patterns from our region. Following T-shirts inspired by the rose, one of our key symbols, and our recent winter collaboration with a renowned jewellery brand featuring bracelets with spiritual motifs, it is now time to shine a spotlight on the beautiful Turopolje region,” said Ivana Alilović, long-serving Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
The Tourist Board invites everyone interested to follow its digital channels, where a prize giveaway will be announced in the coming days to promote this new souvenir. This initiative perfectly blends tradition with contemporary design, showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage of Turopolje in an attractive and modern way.
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