Municipality of Mihovljan: Landscape, History and Tradition

The Municipality of Mihovljan lies in the southern foothills of Ivanščica. Valleys, cultural and historical buildings, and regional traditions shape different facets of the area. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in the landscape, history or Croatian folklore. These themes offer a concrete guide when deciding whether Mihovljan is a good fit for your search for a holiday apartment.

Valleys, protected landscape and Sutinske Toplice

The area of the Municipality of Mihovljan is shaped by valleys running from north to south. These include the valleys of the waterways Sutinčica, also known as Sutinska, Graberje and Šikad. The landscape can therefore be described through several named waterways rather than a single river or a uniform valley. For nature lovers, the “Sutinske toplice” protected landscape area is also a prominent part of the region: it covers 117.42 ha, is protected as a significant landscape, and was placed under protection in 1980. Its area lies within the municipalities of Mihovljan and Mače.

Sutinske Toplice is located in the settlement of the same name, which today belongs to the Municipality of Mihovljan. The water at Sutinske Toplice is between 31.3 and 34.4 °C. This makes the site a distinct point of interest in the municipality, defined by its water. The water temperature is a specific feature of Sutinske Toplice and sets it apart from the landscape and cultural themes that also shape Mihovljan.

The Municipality of Mihovljan’s infrastructure includes a promenade along the Sutinsko stream. It adds a specifically named place for outdoor activities to the picture of the municipality. Together with the valleys and the protected landscape area, it shows that nature and waterways are among the themes you can consider when choosing your destination.

Historic buildings and cultural sites

On a hill, only a curia and an outbuilding remain today of the former Stari grad Mihovljan estate. The outbuilding is in a ruinous state. What remains therefore presents a different picture from a fully preserved estate: two named building sections are still visible, including the ruinous outbuilding. Those interested in the history of the area will find a specific historical point of reference here, though the surviving structures are clearly limited.

The Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene stands in Kuzminec. It is built of stone with Gothic details and has a painted interior. The chapel is considered to be of significant architectural and cultural-historical value. Its stone construction, Gothic design elements and interior paintings give it a distinct profile among Mihovljan’s cultural attractions. For a trip focused on architectural and cultural history, the chapel is a specific example from the municipality.

Another recognised attraction is the Ethno Collection “Stara mihovljanska hiža”. The work of KUD Mihovljan is also part of the local cultural scene: the association preserves Croatia’s rich folkloric heritage, particularly the traditions of its home region. The collection and folklore offer different ways to explore regional culture—one is a recognised attraction, while the other involves a cultural association preserving traditions passed down through generations.

Folklore, bagpipes and Miholjski dani

As part of Miholjski dani in the Municipality of Mihovljan, an International Bagpipe Festival is held, featuring bagpipe players from various European countries. The festival brings together the local event name and an instrument played by guests from several countries. For exploring regional culture, this is a distinct aspect alongside KUD Mihovljan’s preservation of Croatian folkloric heritage.

A specific event in the programme is described for 2024: that year, Miholjski dani included a cooking competition for kotlovina, followed by a tasting of the dishes prepared. The competition and tasting were consecutive parts of the programme. The year refers to this event; it describes the 2024 programme.

When planning your trip, considering which experiences you would like to explore further during your visit can help guide your search for a holiday apartment in the Municipality of Mihovljan.

More pages to help you plan: Municipality of Gornja Stubica, Municipality of Donja Stubica, Municipality of Kumrovec, Municipality of Zagorska Sela, Municipality of Krapinske Toplice, Municipality of Klanjec and Municipality of Zlatar.

For the broader travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.