Best time to visit: during the town’s legendary carnival
Don’t leave without trying: Samoborska kremsnita
Be sure to see: Samobor Castle
Samobor is an ancient town located only twenty-five kilometers away from Zagreb. It recently celebrated its 770th birthday, as King Bela IV of Hungary proclaimed its independence in 1242. Medieval to the core, surrounded by astounding nature and history sites, it is among the most popular sites to visit in inland Croatia.
Many Croatian artists retreated to Samobor seeking inspiration and peace of mind, including August Gustav Matos, who called it “One of the most Croatian towns in the world.” The streets of Samobor are blooming with stores of old crafts, such as herbalists, crystal glaziers, vintners and honey makers. It’s also known for bermet (a strong alcoholic beverage) and mustarda (a piquant sauc – the equivalent of mustard, but made from grapes). These can be obtained here. Samobor is also a home to numerous art galleries, such as Marton, Prica, Lang, Dujmovic and Otvorena.
Like every medieval town, Samobor features a lot of sacral architecture. Virtually every surrounding hill has a chapel built upon it. The one dedicated to St. Mary is the oldest building in town, considered to have witnessed the settlement’s founding in the 13th century. This chapel is now an internal part of the Franciscan Church of Mary’s Assumption, as it serves as this church’s eighth altar. The Church of St. Anastasia was built in the 17th century and is one of few early baroque constructions in Croatia, while St. Michael’s is at least 500 years old, as it was mentioned in a historical document dating from 1536.
Apart from churches and chapels, Samobor’s urban setting includes a number of 19th-century buildings and romantic bridges crossing over Gradna Stream. The town’s tourist board established several walking tours you can follow on your own to discover places such as Samobor Museum (filled with exhibits from the town’s history) , Liberation Park (dedicated to Croatian warriors who died in the Croatian War for Independence) or Anindol Promenade (a pretty walkway on the slopes of Tepec Mountain).
One third of the settlement’s territory is covered with dense forest, interspersed with paths and mountaineer’s roads. Samobor thus proves to be a fantastic spot for picnic-goers, as well as those with fishing rods and photo cameras. Songs can be heard in late summer, as residents visit lush vineyards to pick grapes, while winter provides a thick layer of white snow over the surrounding hills. Skis, sleds and snowmen are nothing but expected.
Samobor is known for its large carnival, organized every year in February, when thousands of masks flood the town’s streets. This is also an occasion when fasnik is burned on the main square (fasnik being a huge ragged doll, blamed for every misfortune which happened during the previous year). Another notable event is the Samobor Salami Festival, which takes place in March and April, when dozens of sausage makers have their day in the sun, as do their consumers.
Those willing to try local cuisine have nothing to worry about. The town’s Café Livadic serves the best Samoborske kremsnite, while K Gabreku Restaurant is known nationwide for its palacinke (Croatian crepes) (in wine chateau? Two please!) and other traditional delicacies. Hotel&restaurant Lavica is also a good place to dine (and stay).
Samobor’s immediate surroundings are as impressive as the town itself. Spreading towards the Slovenian border lies beautiful Zumberak Nature Park, while atop Tepec hill there’s an abandoned defence tower waiting for its masters. It’s called Samobor’s Old Town, and was constructed in 1270 by supporters of Czech King Otokar. However, it was abandoned in the 18th century and remained as such up to the present day.
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