Novi Marof: Park, Culture and Trails

Novi Marof lies in the Bednja Valley, along the road and railway line between Zagreb and Varaždin. The town includes a protected park and a range of cultural attractions; some recreational opportunities are in the municipal area or the surrounding region. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between these locations: the park and church are in Novi Marof, while a hiking trail and other natural sites are in the nearby area.

Park and history in the town centre

The protected park, covering 12.65 hectares, is located in the town centre on a hill above the Bednja Valley. It has been protected as a monument of park architecture since 1962. Its vegetation is characterised primarily by native species of the pedunculate oak and hornbeam forest community. Thus, the site's protected status and characteristic native vegetation are complemented by the history of the park.

The park's origins are connected with a new manor house built by the Erdödy counts after the fire at Grebengrad in 1710. This historical connection relates to the origins of the park and the manor house; it does not simply refer to a single year in which the grounds were established. Visitors interested in landscape and architectural history will find two distinct perspectives on the same place here.

Church, culture and festival traditions

The Church and Monastery of Saint Anthony of Padua in Novi Marof were completed in 1984. The Church of Saint Anthony was consecrated on 28 October that year. On the same day, Archbishop Franjo Kuharić also blessed the new monastery. The completion and the ceremonies are thus dated, but refer to different events.

Saint Anthony's Day on 13 June is an annual festival tradition in Novi Marof. It includes religious, sociocultural and sporting events. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival or a particular event, check the relevant dates in advance.

Pučko otvoreno učilište Novi Marof is a public institution offering lifelong learning, various courses, educational programmes and creative workshops. It also operates a cinema and hosts exhibitions and concerts. The Ivan Rabuzin Cultural Centre is the main venue for most cultural events in Novi Marof.

The KAJkavski vikend v Marofu offers another cultural perspective: the event is dedicated to the traditions and cultural heritage of the Novi Marof region. In Madžarevo, the “Greben” Ethno Association makes its collection of cultural heritage accessible to the public through exhibitions, creative educational workshops and lectures. The cultural topics described here therefore range from events and educational programmes to a collection presented in a variety of public formats.

Trails and recreation in the surrounding area

Within the municipal area of Novi Marof, the “Paka” forest complex is suitable for walks and mushroom picking. Visitors can also see the remains of a medieval fortification there.

The 5.5-kilometre Grebengrad–Čevo hiking trail runs through the area around Novi Marof. The remains of Grebengrad, considered one of Croatia's largest fortresses, are also located nearby. The trail and the fortress remains are distinct points of interest when planning activities in the surrounding area.

Numerous competitions have been held for several years at the Rauš karting track in Možđenec. Fishing in the valleys of the Bednja and Lonja is also listed as one of several recreational opportunities in the Novi Marof tourist area.

Discover more destinations: Donje Makojišće, Podevčevo.

Return to the main travel overview: Općina Novi Marof.