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Croatia: Cycling around Hrvatsko Zagorje

Saturday in Hrvatsko Zagorje was reserved for cycling. With Nada we did a nice sunny circle, mostly on side roads and we visited some nice places.

Vešligaj homestead in Prigorje

Corn field with sunflowers

Passing  by Veliki Tabor Castle

Away from the traffic road

Road led us towards Kumrovec

Simple home

 

We visited Political School Josip Broz Tito, abandoned building with 145 rooms and rode past the Monument to Croatian national anthem in Zelenjak.

View from lookout called Pesji Skok

Mountain hut Cesargrad (Planinarska kuća Cesargrad) was unfortunately closed

Black Mamba and Tuši

 

Cesargrad is a medieval fortress built in mid 14th century on the steepest part of Cesargrad forest above the Sutla valley.

According to tradition, Cesargrad was built by Templars, knight order founded to protect pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Jesus in the Holy Land. Cesargrad (Kayersperg) was first mentioned 1399 in the grant of King Sigismund, by means of which it was donated to Earl Herman of Celje. Until it became property of noble family Erdödy, fort often changed hands during 15th century. 1573 Cesargrad got destroyed in the Peasants' Revolt , when it was robbed and set on fire. Owners made an attempt to partially reconstruct it, but as the new palace in Klanjec was finished, the Erdödy family moved into it and Cesargrad was left to decay. Since 1933 the castle is owned by the Croatian Mountaineering Association.

 

On top of Cesargrad mountain we reached the summit called Japica, 509 m.

 

Downhill maniac

 

Away from the main roads

 

Tuhelj parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Interesting church in Mala Erpenja

 

Time to attack the steepest part of our trip

 

Low on sugar

Rushing to the dinner table

Riding in Hrvatsko Zagorje - Garmin Connect

GeoCaches found:
- Kumrovec, GCWA9P
- Vidikovac - Pasji skok, GC72XKK
- Vapnenačka stijena - Pasji skok, EarthCache, GC78Y6P
- Putevima seljačke bune - Cesargrad, GC72XM0
- Fortification 1 - Utvrda Cesargrad, GC72TV6
- HPO Japica 509m, GC7MQ9R