Distance travelled : 374 kms
We decided today that as the only train from Varazdin left at 2 pm, which was recommended on our schedule, that we would spend the morning in Varazdin and then take 2 taxis to Krapiña. This would allow us time to go to the famous Neanderthal Museum (which is closed on Mondays) and also take advantage of a traditional Crostisn vineyard meal offered by our hostess, Marlise.
Music stopped at 5 am but the town was still a-buzz with activity this morning.
The castle as it was in 1908 with battlements and moat. Built in 16th century.
The castle today. It is now a municipal museum.
The drawbridge is still in tact.
Festival fun for families.
Music making.
A juggling act.
Pretzels
At midday 2 taxis drove us into the hills to Krapina. A town with a history that dates back 250,000
years.
Arriving in Krapina. Another attractive Baroque town.
Our accommodation tonight is a hostel / bar.
The hostel is 2 years old, run by Marlise, who is a total convert to the EPW and fund of information.
A warm welcome with beers and elderberry wine.
18 bed hostel. Tastefully decorated and spotless.
Krapina is the home of the Neanderthal Museum.
250,000 year old bones were discovered in a cave on this site 116 years ago today.
The cave where the remains were found.
Celebrations in the town tonight with a large contingency of Neanderthals.
Marlise had organised for us to visit a friend's weekend farm for dinner tonight on the hills nearby.
We toasted the evening with homemade apricot liqueur, raki.
Ivan, our host, wanted us to sample all his of his produce - grapes, wine , apples, peaches, pears, tomatoes...
First course was cured meats, freshly picked tomatoes and cottage cheese with corn bread.
Home cured meats.
Ivan preparing the Croatian barbecue for our meal of chicken and pork.
Mushroom and vegetable soup. Then meat and salad. Finally homemade strudel.
We felt so privileged to have been invited to Ivan, and his family's cottage.
Arriving back in Krapina you can see the remnants of the castle that once dominated the hill. It is said that on this site during Roman times, a princess was entombed in the walls as a punishment for betraying her countrymen, after falling in love with a Roman soldier.
What an amazing day!
M&M
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