During a drive through the rural, hilly Zagorje region, north of the capital Zagreb, I came through the small town of Klanjec. A nice place for a short break and a visit to the beautiful church, a museum and a short walk through nature. In the centre of town is a modern museum dedicated to the sculptor Antun Augustinčić. He and the sculptors Ivan Meštrović and Frano Kršinić one of the three most famous sculptors in Croatia. The museum only displays the works of Augustinčić, which he donated to his home-town Klanjec in 1976. The images are displayed in two rooms and a hall in the modern building and in the surrounding garden. The most famous work of Augustinčić stands in front of the UN building in New York City ‘Peace‘ named (1954) and a replica of the huge statue stands in the museum, the other internationally famous work is ‘the Miner‘ which stands in front of the building of ‘the International Labor Organization headquarters’ in Geneva.
The website of the Antun Augustinčić museum is only in Croatian
address Trg A. Mihanovića 10, 49290 Klanjec
e-mail museum gaa@mhz.hr
Opening hours
April – September – daily from 09.00 – 17.00
October – March – daily (except Mondays) 09.00 – 15.00
Closed on 1 January, Easter, 1 November, 25 and 26 December
Here is a link to the website of all museums in Zagorje region, in the upper right you can choose another language
You can take a short circular walking trail of about 4,5 km near Klanjec – Eco-trail ‘Cesarska Gora’, this trail has been made by the local primary school together with the town of Klanjec. Along the trail you find educational boards with more information about local nature.
The Maria church has very nice fresco‘s and is beautiful decorated in Baroque style, attached to the church is the Franciscan monastery. Both buildings were build in the 17th century commissioned by Sigismund and Nikola of the powerful Erdödy family.
