Turopolje, known for centuries as the "Noble Municipality of Turopolje," is rich in wooden architecture and tangible and intangible heritage. The Turopolje coat is an important part of this heritage, and the family that still makes these elements of folk costumes emphasizes that one such coat was gifted to the former First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.

We learned more about the Turopolje coat, which dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from Tina Miličević, the daughter of Tomislav Miličević, who made the vest for Laura Bush as a gift from one of our ensembles.

Turopolje coat through history and today
“The Turopolje coat was worn in winter. There is a male version with long sleeves and a female vest. It was made from tanned leather, and the uniqueness lies in the fact that the ornaments are the same in both the male and female versions. The uniqueness of this garment lies in the hand-sewn roasted leather berries, which are the result of long manual work. Every detail, from leather ornaments to sheep's wool, is sewn by hand,” explains Tina Miličević, whose father has preserved this tradition since the 1990s.

The Tourist Board of the Zagreb County decided to promote the unique pattern of the Turopolje coat due to its specialness and authenticity. In recent years, this regional tourist board has ensured that all souvenirs are practical for everyday use, such as T-shirts and bracelets with various motifs, which have sparked great interest.

Promotion through modern souvenirs
“We love souvenirs that people actually use and have the opportunity to wear. These T-shirts represent the third edition of souvenirs with patterns from our region. After T-shirts with the rose pattern, one of our symbols, and cooperation with a well-known jewelry brand and bracelets with religious motifs this winter, it was time to promote our beautiful Turopolje region,” emphasized Ivana Alilović, long-time director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.

The tourist board invites all interested parties to follow their digital channels and reveals that they will soon organize a prize competition aimed at promoting this new souvenir. It is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, promoting the rich history and cultural heritage of Turopolje through attractive and appealing design.

Kurija Modić Bedeković
Kurija Modić Bedeković in Donja Lomnica is one of the most important examples of traditional Turopolje architectural heritage. Built in 1806 by Turopolje assessor Petar Modić, the manor has been preserved thanks to the efforts of the Perak and Kallay families, who were responsible for its restoration in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The manor, built from oak beams joined by "Croatian corner," is now a protected cultural monument and open to visitors by prior arrangement. This building testifies to the rich history and cultural heritage of Turopolje, providing insight into the life and customs of the region through the centuries.