The Bednja region is a picturesque and unique place of unspoiled beauty; it is situated in the Nortwestern part of the Varaždin distriet. It is a Continental climate area, and it is surrounded bay mountains: Ivanščica(1061 m), Strahinščica (847 m), Maceljska gora (715 m) and Ravna gora (686 m). The hillsides of these mountains descend gently into the Bednja river valley, forming the Bednja plain.
The village of Bednja, placed by the homonymous river, is the centre of administration, industry, traffic, trade and culture for the whole region. In the year of 1334 the name of the village was mentioned in a written document for the first time,
but the findings from prehistorie times and later periods prove the presence of man from times immemorial. Larger villages are Cvetlin and Vrbno.
Should you decide to take a break from your everyday lives, and have a picnic in the area, you will do the right thing, because the whole Bednja region is a unique excursion area. No matter when or where in the region, you may find yourself in, teh beautiful scenary, the playfulness of the hills, meadows, orchards, vineyards and forests will always fallow you.
Trakošćan, "the pearl of Hrvatsko Zagorje" is also situated in the area. Its castle is a cultured and historical monument, with a lake and a park also of a monumental value, is the most important tourist destination in the region.
You can also visit many churces, chapels, hiking trails, hunting and fishing sites, sports grounds etc. The beautiful old rural architecture has been preserved in a large scale. The traditional rural way of life, and its creativity has yet diet out, but it in fact coexists with the contemporary one. But of all thing, you will be mostly overwhelmed by the hospitality of the local people.
Trakošćan was built in the late 13th century as part of the defense fortification network of the Zagorje principality. It was a small fortress serving as an observation post overlooking the road from Ptuj towards the Bednja valley.
