Sveti Ivan Zelina, April 11, 2025 – In the green heart of the Prigorje region, where everyday life intertwines with folk traditions and a rich natural heritage, the town of Sveti Ivan Zelina has distinguished itself as an innovator in the field of cultural tourism thanks to the extraordinary project "The Magical Zelina Fairy Park". This unique initiative, which has won the prestigious "Simply the Best" award, not only promotes local values but also represents a significant step towards a sustainable and emotionally engaging form of tourism that puts the visitor, nature, and mythology in the forefront.

Experiential tourism with mythological magic

Through a thematically designed network of tourist facilities, the "Magical Zelina Fairy Park" project allows every visitor to step into a fairytale world, where tradition and nature blend into a unique experience. Each accommodation facility included in this concept carries its own plant symbol, carefully chosen according to the local characteristics of the terrain, flora, and mythological motifs. Visitors thus have the opportunity to stay in an environment enveloped in the symbols of lavender, mistletoe, hazelnut, sage, or oak – plants that in folk tradition have a deep meaning associated with healing, wisdom, protection, or love.

The project is based on a scientific approach and a deep understanding of the mythological layers of Croatian and Slavic culture, as well as elements of world heritage that have been carefully integrated into the local context. In this way, the "Magical Zelina Fairy Park" manages to connect universal themes with local values and create a strong identity for a destination that stands out for its authenticity and emotional depth of experience.

The role of private renters in the valorization of cultural space

One of the key strengths of the project lies in the active involvement of private renters, who are not only accommodation providers but also become co-creators of the tourist story. Each holiday home is designed as a separate narrative unit, in which the guest is invited to explore their own experience of nature and myth through symbols, music, and interactive content. The interior and exterior design of the facilities is based on the symbolism of plants, ritual elements, and traditional motifs, with a modern design that provides comfort and aesthetics.

Thanks to the synergy between the tourist board and the local community, the project has also secured an economic incentive for the development of small family farms, crafts, traditional production, and rural accommodation. In this way, tourism becomes a tool not only for promotion but also for the preservation of the identity of the place and for the creation of a sustainable and inclusive community.

Regenerative tourism as a new development model

Unlike traditional tourism, which is often based on mass tourism and passive consumption of content, regenerative tourism is focused on returning value to the space, community, and environment. The "Magical Zelina Fairy Park" is precisely an example of such an approach: every guest, through their stay, contributes to strengthening the local economy, promoting natural and cultural values, and preserving the environment.

Through workshops, guided tours, musical evenings based on mythological motifs, plant tours, spiritual walks, and interactive stories, visitors actively participate in the preservation of intangible heritage and become its ambassadors. The tourist board invests in the education of hosts and in the digitalization of content, thereby creating a modern cultural product that meets the needs of modern travelers.

The role of mythology in contemporary tourism

Mythology is no longer just a subject of interest for ethnologists and scientists. In the "Magical Zelina Fairy Park", it becomes a tool for creating a deep emotional experience. Slavic mythology, with its richness of symbols, characters, and customs, is used as the basis for creating narrative tourism that connects the past with the future. Stories about fairies, forest spirits, protectors of nature, and natural wonders are woven into every path, sign, and symbol that visitors encounter during their stay.

Accommodation offer designed as an experiential story

Accommodation facilities within the project include various types – from luxury villas to rustic rural houses, all connected thematically and symbolically. In each of them, visitors can enjoy the scent and taste of the plants that surround them, participate in purification rituals, listen to traditional melodies, or read mythological stories written on the walls and illustrated through artistic interventions.

In the sage house, for example, the guest becomes acquainted with the tradition of healing with herbs, while in the facility dedicated to hazelnut, they learn about the symbolism of fertility and family harmony. The facility dominated by ivy brings elements of protection and durability, while the space with the symbolism of wormwood invites reflection and inner balance. This approach to accommodation goes beyond functionality and enters the realm of deep personal experience.

Prigorje hospitality and local gastronomy

Gastronomy is an integral part of the offer – each accommodation facility offers the possibility of tasting local specialties, from Prigorje sausages, homemade cheeses, honey, and brandies to indigenous wine varieties that are the trademark of this region. Food is prepared according to traditional recipes, using seasonal ingredients from local gardens and farms. Guests can also participate in the preparation of meals, which further enhances the experience of local culture.

Accommodation in Sveti Ivan Zelina and accompanying activities

In addition to the stay itself, guests are offered additional activities: walking and cycling trails connected by plant symbols, thematic parks, amulet-making workshops, art and music workshops for children and adults, visits to vineyards, and evenings by the fire with the telling of folk tales. Every aspect of the stay is designed with the aim of providing a complete experience that nurtures the mind and body.

Those seeking spiritual peace can participate in silence rituals, meditations in nature, and herbal baths, while culture enthusiasts will enjoy exhibitions, concerts, and festivals dedicated to mythology, plants, and tradition.

Sveti Ivan Zelina, as a destination, is building an identity with this project based on values that are often forgotten in modern tourism – silence, connection with nature, symbolism, community, and an experience that leaves a lasting mark on the visitor.