Mine Reopens its Doors to Visitors

The Zrinski Mine, from which silver was mined and smelt already in the Middle Ages, is the only mine in Croatia that is open to the public. Visitors can once again view the mine as its regular technical maintenance has been completed.

After four months of regular technical maintenance, the Zrinski Mine is once again open to visitors. The mine was built in the Middle Ages, on the slopes of Zagrebačka Gora, in the area known as the Mining Garden, where silver was smelt from the dug up ore. Today, the mine is a part of Medvednica Nature Park and it is the first mine in Croatia that is open to the public.

Mining activity in the area of the Mining Garden on Mt. Medvednica began in the Middle Ages. According to historic writings, 1463 was a significant year as it was then that King Matija Korvin awarded Count Petar Zrinski with the mining royalty, allowing him to open a mine for gold, silver and other metals on his estate. Later, in 1527, his descendent, Nikola Zrinski, signed an agreement with the people of Zagreb which gave him the right to mine in the area. That was the beginning of mining in the Zrinski Mine, in which silver was extracted from lead zinc ore. Today, with the help of an expert guide, visitors can experience how difficult it must have been to work in that mine, as well as find out how the miners discovered and transported the ore. One can also visit the little wooden chapel of St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners, in which the mine workers prayed for their safety before entering the mine shaft. Visitors can discover the female names which were given to the long tunnels as, in the past, miners believed that women brought luck to the mine, and visitors can become acquainted with the daily life of miners at that time. Two years ago, the Medvednica Nature Park public institution designed a very attractive tourism product which revives the spirit of the Middle Ages, knights and coining silver. With the organization of the manifestation of Medieval Days on Mt. Medvednica, visitors can go back a few centuries in time and become participants in historic events. This is a unique way for tourists to experience how the medieval miners extracted ore and how they smelt silver from it. Visitors can also mint their own silver coins, partake with their knight's skills in fencing, mace throwing and archery, as well as experience the tastes and smells of different delicacies prepared from honey and medicinal plants according to recipes from the Middle Ages.

The Zrinski Mine is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.