26th Chestnut Festival in Sveti Ivan Zelina
October is a month in which many Croatian delicacies are celebrated and enjoyed and this weekend it is the turn of chestnuts. The small town of Sveti Ivan Zelina (around 40 kilometres northeast of Zagreb) will be celebrating the 26th edition of the Chestnut Festival this Sunday, 13th October 2024.
If your only experience with chestnuts is having a conker fight (tell me you’re British without telling me you’re British) and you’ve never experienced roasted chestnuts, this festival will be the perfect introduction for you. Roasted chestnuts are one of the tastiest autumnal snacks and – trust me – Croats know how to roast chestnuts to perfection.
The majority of the action will take place in amongst the beautiful nature of Kladeščica, the peak of Zelinska Gora mountain. The centre of all the activities is around a 20-minute drive from Sveti Ivan Zelina, but the first 200 visitors to reach there on foot will receive a free portion of hot roasted chestnuts. What an excellent reward!
Chestnut Festival Fun
What will there be to see and do? Well, there will be plenty of tasty treats to sample – roasted chestnuts, of course, but other items made from chestnuts, mushroom and bean stews, BBQ food, chestnut cake, the craft beer “Angelus” and local wine too. Indulge in these treats at this outdoor festival – there will be plenty of seating – and take in the aroma and excellent natural surroundings. Not forgetting live music! The band Faringaši will be performing on the day as well. All in all, an excellent way to enjoy Autumn.
This year’s wide-ranging food offering is thanks to the Amanita Association and Restaurant 4M. In addition to this tasty food to eat, there will also be an exhibition of mushrooms for those who want to learn a little more.
The local hunting lodge will be hosting a competition for the best hunting stew. Participants will be given the required food and wood for participating, and stews can be tasted after a winner has been announced at 2pm.
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Something for the kids
No gastro – or indeed, any kind of festival – in Croatia is complete without something to entertain the younger generation too The Chestnut Festival is no exception, with outdoor activities and fun and games planned from 12pm.
Pre-Chestnut Festival Walk
On Saturday 12th October 2024, there will be an additional celebration. The newly renovated educational trail “Through Zelinska Gora” will be opened with a 6 kilometre hike to Kladeščica starting at 10am. The hike will be led by Mountaineering Society Izvor and Mario Valentić who will be running his educational and entertaining fitness programme HealthyFIT Experience. Expect body and mind training and breathing exercises during the walk…and be rewarded at the end with a free outdoor lunch at Kladeščica.
Remember to wear comfortable hiking shoes!
