The serene and fertile area of Zagreb’s Green Ring has been inhabited for a long time and has a rich history. The list of protected intangible cultural heritage is a praise of the originality and beauty of the culture that developed for centuries among the people who did not write history but lived it instead.

The Tradition Of Croatian Gingerbread Craft 

We all get excited when we see a colourful licitar, but did you know this cute little decoration is our representative on the UNESCOList of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity? Licitar is a skilfully made piece of dough made of flour, sugar, water and baking soda, shaped in a unique mould and expertly coloured and decorated. In our area, there are several valuable medical crafts that you can visit and learn more about their traditions: Oslaković and Arko in Samobor, Saraga in Velika Gorica, Bičak in Bedenica.

Kajkavian dialect from the Donja Sutla Region (Ikavian)

While you can feel most other protected intangible cultural assets, you must hear the ikavica spoken in the Donja Sutla region. Unfortunately, it is quite a rare, even unusual, occurrence. The explanation of where Ikavica comes from along the Sutla River lies in historical circumstances - many Čakavian dialect-speaking people immigrated in the 16th century, fleeing from the Turks and, over time, accepted the local way of speaking but also retained some of their native dialects. Today, this combination lives in Brdovac, Marija Gorica, part of Pušća and the outskirts of Dubravica.

“Opanci” leather footwear-making crafters Kruh Vuk

When a family's tradition becomes a protected cultural asset, you know it's a remarkable achievement. For example, before the advent of modern shoes, handmade leather footwear tied with leather straps was the standard, and there were wide varieties in the broader region. The Kruh Vuk family continues the tradition and skillfully makes masterpieces of footwear shaped by folklore and heritage.

Miner’s Greblica

The humble savoury pie from Ruda is our cultural heritage and the first and the only protected food product from Zagreb County. It got its name from the ancient wooden tool for spreading the ashes in the bread oven, where it was baked. The manufacturing process is standardised today, and the Nikl bakery Nikl from Ruda has become the synonym for Greblica pie. Greblica can be enjoyed at the now traditional Miner's Greblica Days.

The Kraluš Necklace

Traditional neck jewellery for festive occasions, worn with the national costume, is the oldest data from the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to being luxurious and elegant, it revealed information about the age, marital and social status of the woman wearing it. The most valuable is the knitted kralušwhile the slightly more modest is the “kraluš na košic” variant. The most famous is the Samobor kraluš, and kraluš from Sveta Nedelja is also well- known and protected as a national heritage.

Knitted Koladra Necklace

A type of formal jewellery, like pearls, but still unique and specific to the narrow area around Jastrebarsko, the history of which dates to the 19th century. Making a necklace is time-consuming and complex, but the reward is a unique and impressive decoration that looks equally good with a folk costume and a modern evening dress.

The dialect of the Turopolje Region

Even though it belongs to the Kajkavian dialect of the Croatian language, it is extraordinary and specific, retaining some characteristics from ancient times. The oldest written traces date from the 16th century. Some of our prominent linguists agreed that the Turopolje dialect is a part of the local identity and a Croatian cultural treasure.

St. George’s Processions Around the Turopolje Region

The Feast of St. George in April is celebrated as the arrival of spring and the beginning of another fruitful year, a custom that dates to pagan times. It includes visits to villages when young men and women visit village houses, collect gifts, and sing songs about George the Green. The celebration’s highlight is St. George's bonfire, the lighting of a large bonfire made of straw in the central Velika Gorica Park and front of the walls of old Lukavac.

Linen and weaving workshop

Going to the Visitor’s Center in Ivanić Grad, you will find a linen towel as a souvenir of the city and Zagreb County. The revival of the crafting of this antique relies on a tradition that has almost disappeared. Thanks to the enthusiasm of individuals, flax is replanted and processed by hand on the old looms, and the flax story continues, at least thread by thread.

Vrbovečka pera

The traditional salty pie is unique, round and sumptuous, prepared for special occasions. Although pera is a dish with a long tradition, there is no news about its preparation, but enough that the secret has been successfully passed down from generation to generation for years. Vrbovečka pera is the main star of the event “Kaj su jeli naši stari” ("What did our ancestors eat"), and an initiative was launched to protect the original recipe finally.