inspired by heritage Croatia – Kvarner – Grobnik
The Municipality of Jelenje is situated in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast i.e. Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. The city of Rijeka is only 15 km, and Opatija, as the main tourist destination is only 20 km away of the Municipality of Jelenje. The island of Krk is 28 km away and there is only 155 km to Zagreb. Croatian: Skenirajte QR kod za pregled brošure na više jezika. English: Scan the QR code to view the brochure in multiple languages.
Welcome to Jelenje This peaceful area, with the ideal climate where mountain and sea air combine, is inhabited by people whose way of life is distinguished by the Chakavian dialect, cultural and social customs and tradition. The local dialect is protected as intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. Every visitor who leaves Rijeka and goes for a trip to Grobnišćina (Grobnik Region) and the village of Dražice will have the opportunity to experience all the beauty of nature of this area. It offers well developed infrastructure, excellent tourist offer and rich tradition all in one place. The hiking lovers will also not be disappointed. There are about thirty mountain peaks the Jelenje area and each of them is interesting in its own way with the enchanting beauty of untouched nature.
Natural Beauties
The Jelenje region is rich in natural heritage, and as such it is a part of NATURA 2000 network. Rječina is a symbol of the entire Grobnik Region.
Rječina Rječina is a river that has been supplying the city of Rijeka with drinking water for centuries. Its source is at the foot of the Kičelj hill and Rječina is one of the gems of the Grobnik Region. A part of the 18-kilometer long stream of Rječina runs through a canyon protected by law. There is a path that runs all the way along Rječina where you can enjoy the charm of its gurgling and the magnificent atmosphere enhanced by experiencing the flora and fauna of the area. Rječina can left you speechless, but it is not the only natural asset of our local area. We recommend a stroll to the source of Rječina next to the village of Kukuljani along a dirt path surrounded by untouched nature. Or you can go by bicycle or quad. The famous picnic area offers plenty of space for pastime and refreshment.
Rječina, wide and strong coming from its source in the vicinity of the village of Kukuljani. The river has a constant temperature of 9.5 to 10°C at its source during all seasons.
The trail to Hahlić, at 1097 meters, and the best-equipped mountain hut in Croatia. Obruč Peak stands at an altitude of 1376 meters at the highest peak in this mountain area. The untouched nature and peace.
Grobničke Alpe The mountain chain of monumental relief elevations along the edges of Grobničko polje is popularly called Grobnik Alps (Grobničke Alpe). These Alps consist of a string of 16 marked and marked mountain peaks, with the Hahlić Peak as the most famous and, at the same time, the lowest one. Mountain peaks of untouched nature can be reached on foot, and the number of hikers and nature lovers who reach them on bicycles or running as a part of organised races, is increasing. Many of these peaks are higher than a thousand meters.
Visit
A journey to the past – the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer and anvil has echoed from our forge for centuries, the crackle of the water mill can be heard from the mill called Gašparov mlin in the Martinovo Selo hamlet, and local Zavičajni muzej offers visitors an overview of the life of people in this area about a hundred or more years ago.
Gašparov mlin Gašparov mlin is a water mill on Rječina in the vicinity of a waterfall in the Martinovo Selo hamlet, and it is a protected cultural monument. The old watermill was built in 1650. It has not be changed since the mid-19th century and corn and wheat are still ground there in the old fashioned way. It is a place where, for the four past centuries, the power of Rječina and a special wooden construction are exploited to turn the wheat into wheat flour and corn into corn flour (muka) used for preparation of the potato polenta (palenta krompirica) and many other local delicacies.
There, it is possible to buy organic flour, but also to look at old tools and feel the smell of patina.
Blacksmith Damir Marčelja gladly demonstrates the craft and how the forge used to operate.
The Forge Until the end of the 20th century, people’s lives could hardly be imagined without services provided by blacksmiths, and therefore, blacksmith’s shops were very important in the life of every local community. For more than 80 years, the forge in Dražice has been preserved in its original form with all the equipment that has been used in forges for centuries. The fact that Jelenje, despite its relatively small size, had as many as three forges, tells us a lot about the importance of such forges. The today’s forge offers visitors an insight into life and operation of blacksmith’s shops in the past. The view of the hearth, where the fire would almost never go out, the anvil and the tools required for shaping iron at high temperatures arouses the interest of visitors and is a must see location when visiting our region.
Zavičajni muzej Spanning from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the last century, the rich ethnographic collection and its exhibits offer a window into the interesting and rich history of the Grobnik region. The museum in Martinovo Selo includes several hundred exhibits. The kitchen and bedroom are especially attractive, because they are decorated in the manner typical for the interiors of wealthy houses more than a hundred years ago. There are also numerous mundane objects – from plates and cutlery, through towels and combs, to dishes used for washing, as well as a number of other objects that offer visitors an insight into the past, just like a some sort of a time machine.
After visiting the blacksmith’s shop in Dražice, Gašparov mlin and Zavičajni muzej in Martinovo Selo it is possible to get the overall perspective of how our ancestors used to live.
Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael, who is regarded as the patron of the parish, is celebrated on 29 September, which is also the official day of the Municipality of Jelenje.
Churches in Jelenje and Podhum The Church of St. Michael in Jelenje is a protected heritage site and one of the oldest preserved objects in the Jelenje region. It was built on a hill called Gorica, at the site of the old chapel of St. Michael in 1812. The church with three naves and a large altar made of white stone and multi-coloured marble, was additionally renovated and expanded on several occasions, and today it is considered the architectural heritage. An organ was purchased for the church in 1895 and it is still in use today. The church has a five bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1604. The relics of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac are placed within the main altar. There is also a related church in the village of Podhum with the seating capacity of 150 to 200 seats. The church tower is 24.5 m high and it dominates the landscape of Grobničko polje. It is the first church in Croatia dedicated to St. Maksimilijan Kolbe.
Memorial Dedicated to WWII Victims of Podhum An impressive memorial with 91 shields, the work of the academic sculptor Šime Vulas, was erected at the Soboli memorial are in 1970. It commemorates the 91 people of Podhum killed in July 1942. Today, the impressive memorial and the sculpture represent a memorial cemetery and are a recognisable anti-fascist symbol in Europe commemorating the victims of Podhum.
A significant antifascist monument in this part of Europe.
It is possible to reach the mountain hut if you follow the marks on the trails.
Hahlić Mountain Hut Hahlić Mountain Hut, at 1097 m altitude, is situated on the southern slope of Obruč Mountain. This single-story building with a loft is a typical mountain hut and a favourite destination of hikers from all over Croatia and abroad, with a capacity for about 40 people. It is opened on weekends and by appointment. The spectacular view of the Gulf of Rijeka, the Kvarner islands, Grobnišćina and Učka, and, in good weather, even across the Adriatic, all the way to Italy, is something that attracts lovers of mountains and nature to Hahlić over and over again. In order to facilitate the stay in nature and increase the safety of visitors, the mountain hut is provided with electricity and internet connection. Next to the mountain hut, there is a small playground for children, as well as benches and tables, and there is also an area for dogs.
Tradition
We are proud of the rural life of our ancestors and therefore we preserve, foster and gladly present our tradition.
Grobnik Milkmaids In the recent past, the Grobnišćina was also recognisable for its milkmaids (mlikarice) – hard-working women who would daily go to Rijeka on foot carrying heavy loads on their backs and supply the people of Rijeka with milk. The milkmaids are part of our history, our way of life, and the memory of them is firmly rooted in our region. Therefore, an eponymous monument dedicated to these women, a symbol of the Grobnik region and the arduous life throughout the history, was built on the central square in Dražice. Additionally, an event titled “Feral ki je pusćal sinjal” was also designed and dedicated to the milkmaids. Apart from Dražice, the sculpture of the milkmaid can also be seen at the square called Mljekarski trg in Rijeka.
Trg mlikarice square in Dražice is the focal point of all cultural and social events of the region.
Scan the QR code to watch the film “Grobnička balinjerada”.
Carnival Tradition The Jelenje region is known for its carnival tradition, which is part of the Rijeka Carnival. We have to point out the event called “Grobnička balinjerada”, which is the most visited event in the “fifth season”. There is also a carnival downhill race of cartwheels with more than twenty participants who race from Jelenje to Sušica. At the beginning of the year, the carnival customs begin with performances of Grobnik bell-ringers (dondolaši) who are a folklore and tourist attraction. Wearing their distinctive costumes, they pass through almost all places in our region, where they are welcomed and greeted by the locals. It is believed that dondolaši descended from people hired by owners of large herds of sheep and cattle at a time when cattle were driven to graze on forest pastures in the higher regions. The carnival season starts with the building and end with burning of an effigy (pust).
Gastronomy
When it comes to gastronomy, almost all gastronomy blogs and specialised publications on gastronomy associate the term Grobnik with cheese and potato polenta (polenta kompirica). The people of the Grobnik region have been preparing simple and delicious dishes with an irresistible aroma for centuries. Therefore, this tradition has been preserved in the form of top delicacies.
Potato Polenta The potato polenta is an autochthonous must-eat dish. It is not only a traditional delicacy of the Grobnik region, but is also a culinary symbol recognisable far beyond the borders of Croatia. The flour, which is the main ingredient of the original polenta, is produced at the mill called Gašparov mlin in Martinovo Selo, which contributes to preservation of the tradition for generations. This dish is not only a part of the rich history and culture of Grobnik Region, but it is also an integral part of the everyday life of the local people even today. Grobnik cheese and polenta kompirica fed generations and generations of the local people. Therefore, the locals proudly organises a Polenta and Cheese Festival every year, as a sign of their recognition and respect of this cultural heritage. This event that takes place alternately in Čavli and Jelenje celebrates and promotes the value of these autochthonous dishes that have become widely recognised. Today, they are proudly served in the best restaurants and catering establishments in Grobnišćina, thereby confirming the importance of gastronomic heritage in preserving the identity of the region.
Grobnik Cheese The Grobnik cheese, fatty and hard sheep milk cheese, is an autochthonous product of our region. It is yellowish and has a distinguished full flavour and richness of aroma imbued with a long tradition of preparation in our region, even since the sixteenth century. If you want an authentic experience, we recommend purchasing it directly from private producers and family farms, which are dedicated to production in a traditional and proven way. You can also taste Grobnik cheese in the restaurants of Grobnišćina, where it is served as a delicacy and a part of the local gastronomic offer.
Recently, the gastronomic offer of the Grobnik Region has been enriched with autochthonous sweet specialities that are closely connected with polenta and milk. You can try Grobnik biscuits and Grobnik ice cream at events organised by the Visit Jelenje tourist platform. The Grobnik polenta biscuit is a unique autochthonous speciality prepared according to the recipe by Tomaž Maglica. The ingredients include the homemade butter, Gašparov mlin flour, sugar and lemon and orange zest. Any real chef would tell you that dairy by-products can make great ice cream. The ice cream made of the Grobnik cheese is creamy, a bit salty and refreshing. Grobnik Biscuits and Ice Cream
Sport and Recreation
Hiking Trails The tourist platform hike.visitjelenje.hr is available on computers, tablets and mobile phones. It combines all hiking trails to the Hahlić mountain hut, located at an altitude of 1097 meters. There are six hiking trails to choose from: Po čeki, Pod planinu, Kolci, Istočni greben, Mudna dol and Zala. Each of them is described in detail, including photos and video presentations, and a GPX tracking that enables safe and carefree hiking. Use the Routes application to load the hiking trails you want to explore and enjoy clear and modern design of the application and our Jelenje region. Enjoy safe hikes, because our trails have been created by mountaineers of the Obruč Mountaineering Association, who are also responsible for their maintenance. Enjoy Grobničke Alpe, safe and carefree.
Scan the QR code for an overview of all hiking trails.
Scan the QR code for an overview of all bicycle routes.
Bike Trails The tourist platform bike.visitjelenje.hr includes all bike trails in the municipality of Jelenje. The visitors can choose between nine bike trails intended for both recreational and professional cyclists. The bike trails: Hum, Izvor Rječine 1, Izvor Rječine 2, Jelenjski vrh, Kičelj, Karaula, Grabri, Mudna dol and XCO Rastočine; the circular bike trail in Podkilavac is intended for practice. Each of them is described in detail, including photos and video presentation, and a GPX tracking that enables safe rides. Use the Routes app to load the bike trails you want to explore and enjoy clear and modern design of the application and our Jelenje region.
Quad Hire If you love beautiful scenery, panoramic vistas that leave you breathless, exploring hidden corners of nature, socialising and adrenaline, from now on, you can combine it all into one unforgettable adventure in the Grobnik region. Take your friends with you and enjoy this unique experience on four wheels. Grobnik Adventure offers organisation of excursions, hire of quads and necessary equipment, lunches and professional tour guides. For information and booking go to www. grobnik-adventure.com.
Scan the QR code for booking.
Recreational Horse Riding There are many exciting ways to spend free time and to feel strong connection with nature. One of such adventures could also start in a saddle and you will get to know the Grobnik region riding over the mountain slopes, along forest roads and Rječina River. The experience that you will never forget. Your horseback riding tour can start from Lukež abd the Vodičajna Equestrian Club, or from Lopača, where a large and well-organised ranch for recreation and therapeutic riding is situated. If you haven’t had a chance yet, professional guides and reliable horses can help you find out why these noble animals have been considered man’s best friend throughout the history. It will be our pleasure if you find this out it in Jelenje.
Hunting Hunting has always been an integral part of human existence. The Grobnik Region Hunting Ground, which is an area of almost thirteen hectares, is managed by a hunting association called “Jelen”. This hunting ground is the habitat of the main sorts of game animals: red deer, roe deer, chamois, wild boar, brown bear and all game species that either permanently or occasionally live on the hunting ground or pass through it. The big three predator species are also present here: bear, wolf and lynx. The Grobnik Hunting Ground is also inhabited by other animals such as fox, marten, badger and wild cat as permanent residents. Some 40 year ago, deer have been brought to the Grobnik Hunting Ground along with roe deer, chamois, wild boar and mouflon. Ever since, they have been winning gold medals in trophy ratings. Another interesting area of our region that we must mention is the untouched nature of Mudna dol, which is the natural habitat of the chamois. We wish all hunters who visit our hunting area a good hunt, or as the locals would say “Dobra kob!”.
Scan the QR code for fishing permits.