Delnice: A Tourist’s Guide to Tranquility and Adventure

15.03.2024
Velebit-Lika-Gorski kotar

Delnice stands as the highest town in Croatia, perched at 698 meters. It’s surrounded by the hills of Drgomlje, Petehovac, and Japlenški vrh. The place has a mix of climates and plants, making it a great spot for tourists in both winter and summer. Delnice has more than just Risnjak National Park. There are hidden gems like the Japlenški vrh park-forest, the Butterfly Valley, Petehovac ski center, each with unique plants and animals.

Throughout the year, Delnice captivates visitors with endless greenery in spring and summer, vibrant autumn colors, and a snowy winter wonderland. This region boasts lush forests, clear streams, and interesting natural features like caves and sinkholes. The heart of Delnice’s appeal lies in active tourism and the local folks’ commitment to preserving the area’s original beauty. It’s a perfect place for high-altitude training, and nature walks, and in winter, skiing and winter sports enthusiasts will find it a haven.

Delnice: Nature's Oasis and Transit Hub for Every Traveler

As tourism grows each year, Delnice provides various places to stay: hotels, guesthouses, and rooms or apartments in private houses. You can try local mountain dishes in restaurants and grab a drink in cafes, bars, or pubs.

The city’s wide area sits on a plateau, about 700 to 900 meters high, surrounded by hills that go above 1500 meters above sea level. The lowest spots are at 210 meters (Kupska dolina), while the highest peak is 1528 meters (National Park Risnjak). Even though this shows the area’s diverse nature, the land has a mainly continental landscape, and the weather is mountainous.

Winters here are long and tough, lasting around 106 days on average, with lots of snow. Summers are brief and cool, with temperatures rarely going over 25 ºC. It’s pretty humid, and fog and frost happen. On average, there are about 2079 liters of rain each year.

The rocks here are made of limestone and dolomite, which helps the growth of “green karst,” a type of vegetation with shallow roots. The whole place is full of beech, spruce, and fir forests, along with spots where forest fruits and mushrooms grow. Animals like roe deer, bears, and wolves, as well as many rodents, various birds, and insects, call this area home.

Another great thing about Delnice is its crucial location for travel. It’s close to the Rijeka-Kupjak half-highway, the old main road Zagreb-Rijeka (now known as the Luzin tourist road), and the transit route from Slovenia: Ljubljana-Kočevje-Delnice. With strong connections to the rest of the country and being near big cities, combined with the untouched nature, Delnice is set for even more success in tourism for both itself and the entire Goran region.

Exploring Nature's Treasures: Protected Wonders of the City

The City’s true wealth and beauty shine through its untouched nature, a vital part of the area that’s carefully protected.

Hajdova hiža, Drgomalj This cave, the biggest in Gorski Kotar, is a special spot accessible only to cave experts because of its tricky entrance. The entrance hall is huge – 85 meters long, 27 meters wide, and about 16 meters high. It’s one of the largest underground spaces found in our karst, with a network of channels and cracks stretching about 900 meters.

Risnjak National Park

Park-forest Japlenški vrh

Valley of Butterflies (Kupska dolina): In the upper Kupa area (around 20 km), there are about 500 butterfly species, but the count might not be final. This region has 108 types of daytime butterflies, making up about 60% of Croatia’s butterfly species. Many of these are legally protected, and there are even two new, unique subspecies recorded – a rare occurrence in Croatia. The geographical isolation in this area caused special evolutionary processes that led to their creation.

The Rački House, constructed in the 17th century, stands as a cultural monument showcasing the ethnic and architectural heritage of the area. It’s believed to be around 200 to 300 years old. Found on Supilova Street in Delnice, it holds the title of the oldest house in the Goran region.
The Velika Lešnica Ethnozone covers the village of the same name, situated in the forest-mountain area of Drgomalj. This is a hill-style settlement, featuring a central zone with a church as the dominant structure, positioned on the settlement’s edge. The houses, both residential and commercial, are built with wood and have semi-pitched roofs, traditionally covered with shingles until recently.
Kaštel Zrinski, a castle dating back to the 17th century, is classified as a “first category” cultural monument. It’s located in Brod na Kupi.

Food

After you explore this region, hunger will deffinitely strike, and the Delnik region’s food won’t let you down. You’ve got to taste boiled or baked potatoes, often done with their skins on. Also, sauerkraut, beans, and a variety of pork dishes.

It’s a must-try. You should also give deer or bear prosciutto, roasted rabbit, venison, bear or boar stew, and breaded mushrooms a shot. This area is rich in them. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a step further and try the breaded frog’s legs. For desserts, savor the goodness of apple pie and a local treat called povatica. It is made with yeast dough filled with walnuts and poppy seeds. And to top it all off, enjoy some homemade brandy before calling it a night.

Deknice and its region stand as a treasure trove of natural wonders, historical monuments, and delectable cuisine. From ancient houses to ethnozones and centuries-old castles, the area’s rich heritage is a feast for the eyes. Complete your journey with delightful desserts like apple pie and povatica. With each bite, you’ll experience the heart and soul of this remarkable region.

Ready to embark on your adventure? Come explore the beauty, culture, and flavors of Delnice – a journey that promises both discovery and delight!

Your CTC Team