Medieval Days on Mt. Medvednica

In the last weekend of September, Zagreb’s Medvednica mountain will once again be the venue for an attractive cultural and historical tourist event: “Medieval Days on Medvednica.” Visitors are not only spectators but also active participants and this unique event provides an opportunity to truly experience the spirit of pre-Renaissance times, including chivalry and silver coin making, for the fifth consecutive year…

With the goal of introducing the ancient history of Zagreb and its surroundings, as well as the promotion of the tourist offerings of Mt. Medvednica, in the last weekend of September, Medvednica Nature Park will be the venue, for the fifth consecutive year, of the attractive cultural and historical tourist event: “Medieval days on Medvednica.” Restoring to life the spirit of the Middle Ages, chivalry and minting of silver coins, the event is designed to take visitors back in time to centuries past. Moreover, visitors are not only passive observers, but active participants who get to experience living and working in the Middle Ages, including various chivalry skills, medieval trades, period foods, etc.
“Medieval Days on Medvednica” will take place on September 25^th at the Zrinski mine and a day later at the old Medvedgrad fort. The Zrinski silver mine is located in the Medvednica Nature Park in an area called “The Miners’ Garden.” It first opened in the 16^th century and it is the only medieval silver mine in Croatia that is nowadays open to the public. In 2006, it was proclaimed as part of cultural heritage, and it is frequently visited. During this annual Medieval event, tourists can watch “miners” hard at work: digging at the rocks, extracting ore, smelting it to obtain silver, and then minting silver coins. Visitors can even mint their own silver coins themselves, while the knights in the service of Mistress Jelena Tahi, defending the mine from bandits operating in woods, demonstrate chivalry skills in swordsmanship, mace throwing and archery.

Those who want to master any of these chivalry skills can choose between various workshops while others may prefer to simply watch and enjoy the medieval fair, in which traditional crafts and trades will be presented. Medicinal herbs, honey products, and brandy, as well as various sweets prepared according to medieval recipes will also be on sale and available to sample. There are many other surprises in store at the Medvednica Nature Park, and this appealing event is guaranteed fun for the whole family.
Due to great interest and a large number of visitors, the Zagreb Electric Tram company will organize bus transport, and the mine itself can be reached on foot via clearly marked hiking trails.