Cetingrad Municipality: Hiking, History and Regional Traditions

Circular Hike Between Karst and the Korana

The Koranski planinarski put is located in the village of Donje Gnojnice and follows a circular route from Gnojnice through the Jovac karst depression and the Korana Canyon. Along the way, the trail passes several mills and leads to the local swimming area on the Korana. The route thus combines varied landscapes with striking spots along the river. The Korana and Glina also shape the municipality: both rivers have carved narrow, canyon-like valleys into the carbonate bedrock.

Six checkpoints are listed for the hike, which takes about six hours to complete. The trail has no technically difficult sections and is marked in both directions. This information can help you plan the route as the main activity for a longer day during your stay. The starting point in Donje Gnojnice can be reached via the D1 road and a local paved road. You can park by the former school building.

Other watercourses are also part of the area: the Glina, Korana, Ruševica, Grabarska and Žrvnica. They are rich in a variety of fish species. Together with the canyon-like river valleys, this landscape reveals a different side of Cetingrad from its historic sites and festivals. If you are looking for accommodation for a stay full of activity, the circular trail is a particularly practical starting point for planning your trip.

Cetin and the History of the Municipality

The ruins of the old town of Cetin are considered the municipality’s most important attraction and a significant medieval fortress. They lie several kilometres south of Cetingrad. Cetin is also an important place in Croatian history: on 1 January 1527, the Croatian nobility elected the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand I of Habsburg as King of Croatia there. The remains of an old Franciscan monastery are also located near the ruins.

Another historic site is the Church of the Assumption of Mary. The present-day church is already the fourth to stand at this location. In 2007, a memorial chapel for the war victims of the Cetingrad parish was consecrated in its crypt. These different sites give historical discoveries in the municipality a tangible focus: Cetin tells the story of a political event in 1527, while the church and memorial chapel bring the parish’s history to life.

Festivals, Markets and Regional Culture

A recurring tradition is Josipovo, a traditional livestock market held annually in Cetingrad on the feast day of Saint Joseph. It includes a procession of horse-drawn carriages and riders. The Cetingrad fair offers something different, with traditional and handmade products as well as souvenirs. It showcases the authentic flavours and aromas of Kordun.

The Feast of the Assumption also shapes local life. It is Cetingrad’s patron saint’s day and draws many worshippers from the municipality and beyond. The Cetingradska tamburica cultural and arts association preserves and presents the traditions, customs and folklore of the Cetingrad region. Both festive occasions and the preservation of regional culture are therefore part of the town’s character.

Other places in the municipality include Bilo and Maljevac. Further places to discover include Tounj Municipality, Draganić Municipality, Lasinja Municipality, Slunj Municipality, Ogulin Municipality and Netretić Municipality.

For the wider travel overview: Karlovac County.