Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County
Five Stars Croatia — April 01, 2010.

Have you ever wondered is there a place where you imagination comes to life, where you can see what it is like to be in a virtues legend, where you can live a fairytale? Well, if you haven’t, it is time you start. There is a place that holds a secret tale of medieval mystery. A place where you can hold a fairytale on your palm.

I have chosen these words, because I want you to try, not only to visualize but to smell, feel the atmosphere of Krapina Zagorje County. We have been given many epithets: The Green Cradle, The Romantic Heart of Croatia, Croatia’s Switzerland etc. Undoubtedly, nature and the remnants of human activities make Zagorje the most romantic and one of the most beautiful parts of Croatia’s mainland, a large natural park whose beauty has been improved by the hand of man. It is impossible to list all of the sights; Gothic and Baroque churches and chapels, medieval fortresses, Baroque castles, manors and other places that simply must be seen. Zagorje hides numerous interesting corners that each person should discover on their own. It is an area with a rich monumental heritage in such a small area; as a result, much more space would be necessary to tell all of its stories and to mention every monument. Krapina – Zagorje County is a part of Hrvatsko Zagorje region.

I can say that a long time ago, secret passageways, natural forces and fruits of the earth where uncoverd by Krapina's Neanderthals. Today, those hidden secrets remain untouched as the whole nature of the Krapina Zagorje region. Zagorje was painted by the green paintbrush. Paintbrush that is still the ground foundation for the lifestyle of Krapina Zagorje County's inhabitants. We live in this green picture of picturesque hills, castles and mannors.

I would define our culture by the famous Zagorje’s shtrukli (a form of cheese strudel), wooden toys, turkey with mlinci (a form of pastry) and by quality wine. This culture is hold by the palm. A special palm mentioned in the beginning of the article. This palm belongs to a hand that holds the whole of the mentioned culture.

Finally, our Krapina Zagorje’s County fairytale palm, as every other palm, has the line of life. This line of life can be defined by Croatian national anthem which was written in our County. Also, this line of life is a line of traditional life, untouched and unpolluted by the modern technology. Our Secret Tale of Hrvatsko Zagorje is our fairytale. A fairytale that we are lucky to live in every day.