Tuhelj lies at the foot of Mount Cesarska gora, on the Horvatska River. The Municipality of Tuhelj combines the thermal attractions of Tuheljske Toplice with a rich sacred history in Tuhelj and the village of Sveti Križ. The area offers a range of themes to explore: water and wellness, as well as churches, chapels and historical details.
Thermal Waters and Wellness
Bazeni na izvoru is a natural outdoor swimming area with two interconnected pools fed by a thermal spring. The water temperature is 32 to 33 °C. Vodeni Planet covers 15,000 m² and features numerous water attractions in an indoor and an outdoor pool. Its facilities include thermal areas for relaxation, waterfalls, geysers, underwater massages, slides and other water attractions for all age groups.
TuhiLand has two locations: a heated outdoor pool and a heated indoor pool for children. For relaxation and treatments, the SPAeVITA centre offers eleven relaxation rooms, relaxing massages with aromatic oils, and massages using therapeutic thermal mud. Oriental rituals are also offered in a hammam relaxation room. Before visiting, it is worth checking the latest information about Vodeni Planet, as facilities may change.
Routes and Practical Information
The “Oči Zagorja” attraction can be reached from the centre of Tuhelj via a marked hiking trail towards Gornja Pristava. The route to Kapela Svetega Križa also has its own atmosphere: the path, lined with densely leafy trees, is considered peaceful and quiet.
In Tuheljske Toplice, information boards for the “Zagorske priče” project feature QR codes that let you access multimedia content. Hotel Well is close to thermal springs and sites where therapeutic mud has been found. Bikes are available to rent there; it is best to check availability before your trip.
Churches and Historical Traces
The parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tuhelj is a cultural monument of the highest category. According to the parish records, it was built between 1350 and 1390. The single-nave building is Late Gothic, while the bell tower is Late Baroque. The entrance door also bears traces of its history: dating from 1805, it is made of wrought iron and decorated with a bronze crucifix created in 1942 by Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić. A Marian apparition grotto was built beside the church in 2008; the Stations of the Cross between the church and the parish rectory were restored in 2015.
Other landmarks in the history of sacred architecture include Kapela svetog Josipa, above Tuhelj’s old cemetery, first mentioned in 1727, and Kapela Svetega Križa in the village of Sveti Križ. The present-day chapel was built in 1831 on the site of a Gothic chapel first mentioned in 1519. Together with the parish church, these sites reflect different historical milestones, from an early mention of the predecessor building to later additions and restorations.
Discover more destinations: Tuhelj, Tuheljske Toplice, Municipality of Hrašćina, Municipality of Marija Bistrica, Municipality of Zagorska Sela, Municipality of Pregrada, Municipality of Desinić, Municipality of Đurmanec.
For the broader travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.
