Did you know that the only source of medicinal naphthalan oil in Europe is located in Ivanić-Grad, in Zagreb County?
Naftalan is a rare mineral oil long recognised as a natural ally in preserving health and preventing disease. Its therapeutic properties were first noted in Eastern medicine, and as early as the 13th century, Marco Polo recorded accounts of its healing effects. Naftalan been used for medical purposes for more than 600 years. This unique naphthenic oil originated from biological organic material — the sedimentation of ancient microorganisms such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, algae and higher terrestrial plants — deposited on the seabed or lakebed and gradually covered by mineral particles over millions of years.
A priceless legacy of the ancient Pannonian Sea, Naftalan oil has proven exceptionally beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases, inflammatory rheumatic conditions, and disorders of the joints and spine, as well as in burn treatment and post-operative rehabilitation.
Following the discovery of Naftalan oil and thermo-mineral water in Ivanić-Grad, the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Naftalan was established in 1989. Today, it is widely recognised across Europe and beyond. With more than 20,000 treated patients and numerous scientific studies confirming the healing properties of both Naftalan oil and thermo-mineral water, Ivanić-Grad stands out as a unique health tourism destination. Naphthalan therapy is particularly effective in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis, inflammatory rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, and various joint and spinal disorders. For many patients, these treatments significantly improve quality of life.
The hospital’s offer has recently been enhanced with a modern complex featuring three indoor pools and one outdoor pool, a new kitchen and restaurant, a fitness centre, and a multifunctional hall. Swimming lessons for children, recreational swimming, hydromassage, water-based exercise, Pilates, and other fitness programmes are available to both Naftalan patients and the general public. The pools are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“Health tourism is an important segment of our country’s tourism sector, and Naftalan is undoubtedly a flagship institution thanks to its capacity, significant investments and long-standing tradition. Key societal challenges shaping the development of health tourism include rising healthcare costs within the EU, a stronger focus on prevention and personalised medicine, demographic changes driven by an ageing population, and the growing need for healthier lifestyles. Zagreb County has been recognised as a health tourism destination — one of the fastest-growing sectors within the European Union — and a high-value economic branch that strengthens and connects numerous other sectors vital to the accelerated development of the entire region,” emphasises Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
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