Town Ludbreg

Ludbreg, a town on the left bank of the Bednja river in Podravina, 25 km southeast of Varazdin; elevation 150 m.

Amongst all holy shrines in Croatia, Ludbreg is quite unique one and one of a very few within Christian world founded by Holy Father himself. On April 14th 1513, pope Leo X issued a "bula", written document that confirmed miraculous appearance of Holy Blood of Jesus Christ in small chapel of Ludbreg castle. This miracle occurred in the year 1411 when local priest, in a deep doubt about transformation of bread and wine into Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during the Holy Mass, suddenly saw blood in a chalice that he was holding in his hands.

Since that time, many pilgrims visit Ludbreg hoping to be miraculously cured in the presence of the sacred relic.At the present time the relic is kept in a beautiful 17th Century baroque monstrance, a masterpiece of Augsburg goldsmiths. The walls of the chapel (which is now situated within large Batthyany palace) where miracle occurred, are covered with baroque frescoes describing the miraculous event.

New chapel and Via Crucis dedicated to the miraculous Holy Blood of Jesus Christ was built in Ludbreg in 1993.  It serves as gathering point to many pilgrims who particularly on a Holy Sunday of Ludbreg visit the town (every first Sunday in September).

For more than a week before Holy Sunday itself, Ludbreg is very busy place. Almost all streets and squares become large old- fashioned fair with open air stands, with lots of religious, cultural and sports events, with abundance of entertainment, local food and drinks.



Tourist destination - Croatia - Destinations Varazdin county