Gornja Stubica (Upper Stubica)
Hrvatsko Zagorje (Croatian Zagorje)
The Homeplace of Gubec

At the northern hillside of the forest-park of Medvednica, the town of Gornja Stubica, with its surface of 50 square kilometres, spreads along the southern edge of Krapinsko-zagorska županija, the state district of Krapina and Zagorje.

The first written document about St. George's parish of Gornja Stubica dates back to the year 1209, and in 1993 the town of Gornja Stubica was formed. It now has a population of approximately 6, 000 people. The Parish church of St. George has been highly significant for the area and rebuilt several times during this century. It has recently been enriched by beautifully organised surrounding grounds with over 50 different sorts of seedlings (among which there is even the redwood) and the monument to Mother Country, chiselled in white stone.
In the immediate vicinity of the church there is also the 400-years-old linden tree of Gubec, which has been protected as an object of natural scenery. Many legends about Gubec and the Peasant Rebellion of 1573 are connected to this spot. The burden of time has fallen upon the linden tree, but it is still managing to resist. It is as tough and indestructible as its rebels puntari - the people of Stubica.

In the town's centre, at St. George's square, there is also the recently restored Chapel of St. John the Baptist (Sveti Ivanuš), which was built in the baroque style of the 18th century.

Right there, in the park's verdure, Rudolf Perešin's memorial bust was unveiled in 1999. Born in the local village of Jakšinec, Rudi was an aircraft pilot in the JNA (The National Army of Yugoslavia - which existed before the war) who flew over Croatia into Austria during the aggression against Croatia saying:"I am Croatian and I cannot shoot at my people!"

At the nearby hill of Samci, in the greenness of a well-preserved park, there is the castle of the Oršić family, which was built in the second half of the 18th century. It contains exhibit areas with various contents, a permanent exhibit (put on display by the Museum of Peasant Rebellions) and a souvenir shop with home-made items.
The magnificent Monument to the Peasant Rebellion and its leader, Matija Gubec, dominates the valley of Stubica. It was made by Augustinčić and chiselled in bronze and green rock taken from Medvednica.

About twenty small towns and villages are scattered along the surrounding hills and valleys. The names of some of these places are proof of former Turkish presence in this area (e. g. the village of Sekirevo and Karivaroš). You can also come across entire villages where people still live in old wooden cottages known as hiže. Wooden vine-dressers' huts, kleti, fill the hillsides, which are covered in carefully nurtured grape-vine.

There are also many chapels throughout the parish: St. Matthew's Chapel in the place called Sv. Matej, The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Snow in Dubovec (with a priceless gothic statue of the Madonna from the 15th century, restored and displayed at the "Sveti trag" (Saint Trail) exhibition, The Chapel of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian in Slani Potok, The Chapel of the Peace Queen in Dobri Zdenci, St. Apostle's Chapel in Šagudovec and The Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in the Oršić castle in Samci, which contains a newly set permanent exhibition of the sacral arts of Hrvatsko Zagorje.

The people of Gornja Stubica work mostly in agriculture and crafts, and some of them work in the factories of nearby towns and cities, as well as in Zagreb. The biggest objects of economy in Gornja Stubica are DONA, the factory of fruit products, and SVIM, the factory for ready-made clothes.

The widely known Matija Gubec Society of Culture and Arts, the Magnificat Church Choir and their baritone Ivica Kontent, as well as the Fire Brigade's Blower Orchestra of Gornja Stubica, and many others, all perform at famous festivities, such as Jurjevo (the festival devoted to St. George) or concerts in the parish church, the museum and the school. The Lira Art Workshop often puts on exhibitions in The Lipa Gallery. Famous Croatian runners attend the 21-kilometres-long St. George's race, Jurjevska trka, also known as the CRO-CUP, which takes place throughout the lovely villages of Gornja Stubica. The annual September Meeting for Rudi is a chance to be present at a magnificent aeronautical parade, folk-dancing performances and an open state championship in sprint duathlone.

Numerous beautifully decorated local restaurants will offer you Zagorje's specialties such as purica s mlincima (turkey with traditionally prepared pasta), jaglena kaša s čvrčkima (home-grinded corn porridge with greaves), zagorski štrukli (traditional kind of cheese strudel), gibanica (home-made rolled cheese-cake), home-made brandy and wine…
Come and visit us! Welcome!

(translation: Vesna Matulić)