Matulji

The territory of Matulji is decorated by stone villages, dense green forests, old preserved churches, but above all by its people. Modest, friendly and good-natured, the local residents are a real treasure of this beautiful region. With them each old story and ancient custom becomes alive again, spreading life’s nuances as they once were. Perhaps Zvončari evokes this in the best way. They are a jolly group of masked men who, with their specific masks and bells, every year call to life ancient hopes, when with the noise of bells, colorful parades and cheerful song they push away demons and evoke fertility and spring days. Although Zvončari differ in dressing and walking, be they floral and colorful or wild and animalistic, they all love this region and its customs, sharing them with all visitors.

The territory, with its position, is known for rich sporting activities. Matulji and its surroundings are the starting point of many hiking trails, while the nearby coastline offers many relaxing and fun activities. The history of this region is being carefully preserved and transmitted through local recipes.  Because the contact between the palate and local tastes, this becomes a memory worth experiencing again and again.

History
Matulji belongs to the territory that was once called Liburnija. It was the home of the Liburni, skilled farmers and seamen. After their fall, the Romans arrived on the territory. It is assumed that since then the tradition of today’s Zvončari (bell ringers) has existed because people believed in pagan gods. Croats came here in the 7th   century. The Middle Ages was a time of trade, while from the nearby ports almost all goods were exported. The nearby Preluk was known as part of the “amber route” because here ships that transported amber all the way to the Baltic docked.
In the 12th century Liburnija became part of the German Empire. The Habsburgs came to power in 15th century. The year 1848 brought the end of feudalism. With the Austro-Hungarian Empire, progress arrived to most of the population. 1873, the year the first train from Vienna arrived in the newly built railway station of Matulji, facilitating trade but also marking the start of tourism, is particularly important because at that time many European leaders travelled by train. The Italian rule brought hard times. It is interesting that in that period carnival masks and customs were banned. This heavy period lasted until the liberation in 1945, when the territory became an integral part of the former Yugoslavia and finally of Croatia in 1991.

Recommendations
Matulji – a lively city center with plenty of local cuisine, churches
Bikes routes Lisina and Lužina – offer beautiful nature, old buildings and many lookouts
Hiking trails of St Michael and St.Luke – offer superb environment, interesting villages, a deep bay and the old chapel
Kastav – the medieval town
Lisina Forest Park – protected forest-park  with distinctive flora and fauna
Krujce – a hamlet of old architecture with well-preserved stone elements
Brgud –

Events
Zvončari (Bell-ringers), carnival – a big traditional carnival, with specific masks, clothes, costumes and entertainment 06.01.-21.2.
Matulji Municipality days – rich entertainment program 05.06.-07.06.
Z ramoniku po starinski – gathering traditional accordionists 21.06.
Matulji Summer Nights – rich cultural and entertaining program  – 3.07 .- 05.09.
Days of Rupa – a traditional folk festival 10.-11.07.
Brgudska kapuzijada – folk festival, with a range of traditional dishes of cabbage and entertaining program 27.09.