Religious tourism – churches of Zagorje
When exploring Zagorje, in addition to gastronomic, historical, adventurous and similar peculiarities in the tourist offer, you can add religious tourism the rich list of options. Church buildings and shrines throughout the hills of Zagorje are part of the culture and tradition of this area.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Bistrica, only 40 km from the Croatian capital, is one of the most popular and most visited shrines in Croatia, and the Basilica in the center is a protected cultural asset. People from all over Croatia and the world have been coming to Marija Bistrica for centuries.
The Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountains in Lobor is important and interesting to worshippers, but also to those interested in history and archeology. Historical remains were found here, such as an ancient pagan temple, an early Christian basilica with a baptistery, old Croatian pleter (interlace), etc.
Church of St. Mary of the Snows is the protector of the Krapina-Zagorje County. It is a sacral building from the Baroque period, which was the main pilgrimage destination in Zagorje next to the shrine of Marija Bistrica. The Church of Saint Mary of Jerusalem is located on Trški vrh in Krapina, and the Parish Church of Mary of the Visitation is located on the Vinagora hill.
The Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pregrada is also known as the Zagorje Cathedral due to its high facade and two bell towers. It was built in the neoclassical style, and has a historical connection with the Zagreb Cathedral because the organ and the large altarpiece of the Blessed Virgin Mary were moved there from the cathedral.
In Klanjec, there is a magnificent building of the Franciscan monastery with the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was built by the Erdody family, so the church in Klanjec is also the mausoleum of this famous family.