Town Samobor

Twenty-one km west of Zagreb is Samobor, the town with the longest urban tradition in the Zagreb area: as early as the 13th century its inhabitants received the right to elect the town judge and parish priest, a right which was later reaffirmed by King Bela IV in 1242. On a steep hill lie the huge ruins of the Old Town dating from the 13th century.

Samobors town centre is a harmonious and predominantly baroque whole dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The town has a museum many art collections (15th to 20th century) which belonged to the Kirin, Sudnik and Dvorzak families.A monument of note is the late-gothic castle of Podolje on the classicistic Bagalovi dvori.

The most important churches are: the 17th century parish church with its polygonal shrine, Renaissance portal, baroque steeple and a rich treasury; the Franciscan church and monastery (with its treasury, library and rich collection of baroque paintings); and the 16th century baroque-style gothic St Michaels Chapel made of wrought iron.

Samobor and vicinity have many catering and recreational facilities. Near town there is the Smidhen bathing resort with sulphur springs. Hikers and climbers enjoy the amazingly picturesque Samobor Mountains where several mountain cabins are located, whereas fishermen are attracted by the fish-laden streams of Bregana and Stupnica. A widely attended carnival (fasnik) takes place in Samobor every year.