Stara Sušica: Castle, Chapel and Nature

In Stara Sušica, cultural history and nature themes go hand in hand: Dvorac Stara Sušica and the Chapel of St Anthony of Padua are part of a protected historic complex, while Centar Velike Zvijeri explores bears, wolves, and lynxes in a multimedia exhibition. The Frankopan Trail begins in the village and leads through woodland and across meadows. If you are looking for a hotel in Stara Sušica, you can plan your interests around history and the chapel, the exhibition, or time on the hiking trail.

Castle and Chapel: History and Present-Day Function

At around 800 metres above sea level, Dvorac Stara Sušica stands in an ancient forest rich in flora and fauna. The castle is part of a protected historic complex that includes the Chapel of St Anthony of Padua and the surrounding grounds. Today, Dvorac Stara Sušica serves as an educational and cultural centre run by Dom mladih. This brings together the history of the complex and the castle’s present-day cultural function in one place.

The Chapel of St Anthony of Padua dates from 1874. The replacement chapel is open to visitors; the feast of St Anthony of Padua is celebrated there on 13 June. The year of construction and the feast day offer different points of interest for your trip: 1874 places the chapel in its historical context, while 13 June marks a fixed date in the local festive calendar. If you plan to visit around that date, check the event details.

Large Carnivores at the Visitor Centre

Centar Velike Zvijeri is located in Stara Sušica, on the old Karolina Road next to the castle and the Chapel of St Anthony. Its multimedia exhibition spans two floors and presents information about bears, wolves, and lynxes. This gives the nature theme a clear focus: the exhibition is dedicated to large carnivores, while the neighbouring historic complex, with its castle and chapel, reflects the cultural history of the village.

Frankopan Trail: Pond Promenade, Forest and Meadows

The Frankopan Trail begins in Stara Sušica at a landscaped pond promenade in a coniferous forest. It then follows the historic Karolina Road, forest paths, and meadows. After about two kilometres, it reaches the first houses in Vrh; from there, the trail can be continued towards Javorova Kosa. This extension includes a viewpoint, a mountain hut, and the Božji studenac spring. For planning purposes, this distinguishes the roughly two-kilometre section to Vrh from the possible continuation towards Javorova Kosa.

The castle is also listed in a hiking context: Dvorac Stara Sušica is listed as KT 38 on the Planinarski putovi Frankopana. For navigation, both the Frankopan Trail that begins in the village and the castle’s KT 38 listing are relevant.

Discover more destinations: Stari Laz, Kupjak, Zalesina, Ravna Gora.

For the main travel overview: Općina Ravna Gora.