Tradition in the service of tourism

Hermitage Blaca

Horvatov’s blacksmith – a tourist attraction and reminder of times past

If you are interested in traditional crafts, which are with time increasingly losing their battle with modern technology, a visit to
Horvatov’s blacksmith in the town of Gornji Hrašćan in the Međimurje region will be of great interest to you. This interesting facility, safeguarding tradition from the oblivion of time, used to be the workplace of Ivan Horvat and, before him, that of his father, and, in time, his son Bruno might work there, though in a different role. Bruno has already mastered all the secrets of the trade even though he is still in elementary school. Evidently, tradition is still regarded as important…
On May 1st, on Labor Day, this blacksmith, which was once a source of income for many generations, has changed its function and re-opened its doors as a living monument to the arduous trade of blacksmith. The facility – an authentic blacksmith with original antique tools – is now a fascinating attraction for tourists, and, for Croatia’s youth, it is an opportunity to see how people once lived and earned their daily bread. If you are interested in the history of this almost perished trade, if you wish to witness how horses are shoed or nails are manufactured, you can learn a lot at the blacksmith
of Ivan Horvat, who has, after retiring, become a true tourist worker. A strong impression is not the only thing you will leave with from the blacksmith. Visitors are given coins with an emblem of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nedelišće and an emblem of the Nedelišće municipality impressed on them. These souvenirs are an original way of passing on the story of this interesting region and trade, which, thanks to Horvatov’s blacksmith, is being saved from oblivion and has become a tourist attraction. The project has been supported by the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Municipality of Nedelišće Tourist Office and the Municipality of Nedelišće.