Modern pilgrimage routes in Projects and Th e importance of pilgrimage routes for Tourist routes, paths and roads, including activities of tourism development was studied at the the pilgrim routes, become an interesting the Institute Institute for Tourism more than 10 years tourist attraction and important connec- for Tourism, ago, under the methodology of the evalu- tive tissue that complements and enriches ation of tourist attractions in the area, the tourism destination product. Th ey which includes the tourist trails, paths often assume, in remote rural areas with and roads. In this sense, Ivanec Romar’s surrounding smaller attractions in their Path (1998) was the pilot project. Two own gravitating areas, the function of other projects have been developed based basic rural tourism destination, without on the fi ndings of these studies - Stepinac losing their religious characteristics and Path, and the International Marian Path. signifi cance. In a broader sense, the pil- grim routes are also cultural pathways, Pilgrimage routes are an unavoidable se- from the standpoint of faith but also the gment of attractiveness basis for religious cultural and economic i.e. tourism stand- tourism development. Th ese are pedes- points as well. trian pathways with functionally deter- mined, marked and equipped routes, In this sense, a series of initiatives to revi- accompanied with the marketing materi- ve the traditional pilgrim routes in Croa- als, especially tourist map and guide, and tia has emerged, mainly related to the control system. Declared pilgrimage ro- Marian shrines in , Trsat utes are real tourism attractions, ready for (Rijeka), Sinj, Voćin, Aljmaš, islands, etc. the tourist market. Th ere are also initiatives for the establish- ment of new pilgrimage routes. In doing Pilgrimage routes, which link the Croa- so, tourism structures show equal if not tian shrines, are hundreds of years old. greater interest in the pilgrimage routes Although formally unmarked, they are than religious structures. deeply etched in the memory of older be- lievers. Today, when the believers have a In the last fi fteen years, there have been large number of passenger vehicles at the- diff erent tourism initiatives to revive the ir disposal, only few use the traditional Bistrica romars’ hiking routes, both by pilgrimage routes for walking to the se- pilgrims and tourists. Th e largest net- lected sanctuaries. Th ese roads are mostly work of pilgrimage routes in Croatia was overgrown and forgotten. However, on developed over the past 300 years in the the other side of Europe, in Spain, wal- wider environment of the Our Lady of king through the traditional pilgrimage Marija Bistrica Shrine. Th ose routes were routes leading to Santiago de Compostela used by the pilgrims to move from their is booming again. People walk for diff er- parishes to Marija Bistrica, the most im- ent reasons, for example religious reasons, portant Croatian Marian shrine. because of conspiracy, for penance, but also because of curiosity, sport and recre- In the meantime, parts of the network ation. Additionally, modern man again of traditional "Bistrica" routes have been "asks himself," and occasionally tries to investigated and partially labeled in the stay "with himself" as well. framework of various projects, such as,

RESEARCH NEWS TOURISM Vol. 58 No 3/ 2010 312 Figure 1 IVANEC ROMAR’S PATH FLYER, PRINTED FOR THE VISIT OF POPE JOHN PAUL II TO MARIJA BISTRICA IN 1998 (Author: E. Kušen)

Legend: 1. IVANEC, starting point in front of St. Ma- ria Magdalena Church 2. PRIGOREC, procession forming on return from Marija Bistrica to Ivanec 3. PREKRIŽJE, spring water, branch road to Ivanščica ridge (1060 m) 4. BELEC, near St. Mary of the Snow, Croa- tian nobles votive church, baroque monument of Croatian culture 5. DONJA BATINA, St. Jacob Church (trav- eller), traditional place for rest and lunch of Ivanec Romars 6. VINSKI VRH (eng. WINE RIDGE), Holy Virgin Chapel, meeting place of Romars, pro- cession forming for entering the Shrine 7. MARIJA BISTRICA, destination of the pilgrimages to the Our Lady of Marija Bistrica Shrine

IVANŠČICA RIDGE (1060 m)

Measure Information: Maria Magdalena Parish in Ivanec – (042) 782-136 Ivanec Tourist Board – 099-530-764

Ivanec Romar’s Path (1998), Stepinac Path, One of the branches of the historic "Bi- which is labeled on the fi eld, while its strica" pilgrim routes was fi rst reconstruc- tourist map is in press, and International ted 12 years ago on the route between Marian Path, which is conducted in co- Ivanec and Marija Bistrica, in the frame- operation with Slovenia and fi nanced by work of a separate research by the Institu- the EU pre-accession IPA fund. te for Tourism. Th at same year, the Iva-

RESEARCH NEWS TOURISM Vol. 58 No 3/ 2010 313 nec Tourist Board, in accordance with Stepinac religious-tourist destinations the results of these studies, supported and include many attractions associated with funded the project Ivanec Romar’s Path the life of the Blessed. In Krašić, there (1998), which passes through the area of are two memorial rooms in the parish of- two counties. Th e project was completed fi ce, with many genuine cases, rooms in in honor of the visit of Pope John Paul II which the cardinal spent his last years. In to Marija Bistrica and the local declaration Zagreb, there are, inter alia, the Stepinac of Blessed Stepinac in 1998 (Figure 1). Re- tomb and museum. In Marija Bistrica ligious and tourist use of Ivanec Romar’s there is the authentic place where Pope Path spontaneously began three years later. John Paul II declared him Blessed, as Today, after 12 years, it is necessary to well as the sculpture of the Pope and the fully restore the markings on this road. complete national shrine. Unfortunately, in the Lepoglava prison, the Stepinac cell Th is was the fi rst modern Croatian pil- is still inaccessible to visitors, but there grimage path. For marking this pilgrima- are other details illustrating the imprison- ge path it was not possible, or not allo- ment of Stepinac, as well as the famous wed, to use traditional hiking markings, Pauline monastery and baroque church. so new sign were created. Th e path is marked by the original sign in papal Stepinac Path goes mostly by the traditi- colors, white cross on a yellow square. onal Marian paths of Our Lady of Marija Th is sign was used for two other projects Bistrica Shrine, and only a small part, also, the Stepinac Path and the Interna- near Krašić, by new Krašić pilgrimage tional Marian Path. In addition, a special routes (Figure 2). In addition to these promotional fl yer was published with four religious-tourist destinations, the the route and general information for Stepinac Path connects many other fa- the Ivanec Romar’s Path. Th ere the fi rst mous religious and cultural buildings methodology experiences were gained to and sites as well. Its marking is in the create not only the pilgrim routes, but fi nal phase. It will be partly put down in generally thematic paths as well. Th e way Zagreb till the Cathedral and the Stone of managing such roads remained open, Gate. especially if they pass the areas of various tourist boards, which is important for the Th is pilgrimage route passes through next two projects. three counties (-Zagorje, Varaž- din and Zagreb) and the City of Zagreb, Th e work on the Stepinac Path project and at a lower level, through several areas began in early 2006. Its task was to link of Tourist Boards of cities and munici- together the key positions in the life palities. Th us, its implementation and of the Blessed - four management is very complex, especially religious and tourist destinations. Th e while destination management organiza- Blessed was born and died in Krašić, in tions or companies do not yet operate in Zagreb (Kaptol) he acted as the Archbis- the fi eld. hop, in Lepoglava he spent years in pri- son, while the Pope beatifi ed him in Initial funding for this project was pro- Marija Bistrica. Th e Stepinac Path is also vided by the Ministry of Tourism. Th e open for joining other places directly re- project is being implemented in accor- lated to its work (Sveti Ivan Zelina, Lud- dance with the tapping of funds, in coor- breg or others). dination with TB Marija Bistrica.

RESEARCH NEWS TOURISM Vol. 58 No 3/ 2010 314 Currently, the Stepinac Path tourist map In the near future, we are preparing a is being prepared for printing, with route more detailed guide, which would further marked in detail. With this map, the to- facilitate movement along the Stepinac urists, hikers and pilgrims will be able to Path. move independently. Th e back side of the ticket will contain some key information As a result of the analysis of the Bistrica about the Blessed, destination, the sights traditional pilgrim routes for Stepinac along the way, the technique of walking Path, it is shown also the prospective and movement. International Marian Path between Mari-

Figure 2 THE ROUTE OF STEPINAC PATH: KRAŠIĆ - ZAGREB - MARIJA BISTRICA - LEPOGLAVA (Author: E. Kušen))

Legend Borderline Highways STEPINAC RELIGIOUS-TOURISM DESTINATIONS Highway junction starting points Access roads ST. IVAN ZELINA Stepinac Croatian square STARTING POINT OF ZELINA ROMAR TRAIL Main places on pilgrimage trails IVANEC – IVANEC ROMAR TRAIL STARTING POINT OF IVANEC ROMAR TRAIL STEPINAC PILGRIMAGE TRAIL

ZELINA ROMAR TRAIL POTENTIAL OVERNIGHTS AREA

RESEARCH NEWS TOURISM Vol. 58 No 3/ 2010 315 Figure 3 INTERNATIONAL MARIAN PATH (MAIN, EAST AND WEST ROUTE) IN THE SYSTEM OF BISTRICA PILGRIMAGE ROUTES IN CROATIA (Author: E. Kušen)

Legend INTERNATIONAL CROSSING BORDER: MACELJ, AND DUBRAVA KRIŽOVLJANJSA BORDERLINE

HIGHWAYS INTERSTATE BORDER CROSSING CVETLIN MAIN PLACES ON PILGRIMAGE TRAIL PARISH FETE SITES_ KRAPINA – TRŠKI VRH AND INTERNATIONAL MARIAN MAJKA BOŽJA GORSKA PILGRIMAGE TRAIL

CENTRAL ROUTE STARTING POINTS OF BISTRICA ZAGREB, VARAŽDIN, IVANEC, EAST AND WEST ROUTE SVETI IVAN ZELINA, ZAPREŠIĆ, SAMOBOR AND REMETINEC/NOVI MAROF POTENTIAL PROLONGATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRAIL RELIGIOUS-TOURISM DESTINATIONS: OTHER BISTRICA PILGRIMAGE TRAILS MARIJA BISTRICA AND PTUJSKA GORA CONJUNCTIVE PILGRIMAGE TRAILS

RESEARCH NEWS TOURISM Vol. 58 No 3/ 2010 316 azell and Marija Bistrica, which would During 2009, the Austrian side joined link Marija Bistrica to other important the cooperation fi rst to prepare the afore- Marian shrines in north-western Croatia mentioned contest and later in the Ma- (Belec, Lobor, Lepoglava, Bednja), with rian pilgrimage project realization. Th e Slovenia (Ptujska Gora) and the Austrian Austrian side has already implemented Habsburg shrine (Mariazell). the project Pilgerwege (pilgrimage routes in the Austrian Styria). After that, the An initiative to link two cross-border fa- Croatian and Slovenian sides were infor- mous shrines, Marija Bistrica in Croatia med on the already implemented project and Ptujska Gora in Slovenia came from of the International Marian Path which the Slovenian side back in 2005. It con- has been completed from its origin in cerns areas where Croats and Slovenes Čenstehova (Poland) to Mariazell (Aus- traditionally crossed the border from a tria) and about the ongoing preparations common pilgrimage impetus (Marija for its extension to Ptujska Gora (Slove- Bistrica, Ptujska Gora). However, real nia). It was agreed that the International cooperation began in 2008, when the re- Marian Path would be extended to Mari- alization of the Stepinac Path was in full ja Bistrica (Croatia) with the following swing and when the TB Marija Bistrica framework of its formation: Čenstehova created a new program Marian Pilgrim- - Levoca - Marizell - Graz - Mureck - age Routes originating from the Shrine of Ptujska Gora - Marija Bistrica, with the Our Lady of Marija Bistrica. Besides the possibility of its extension to Trsat and Stepinac Path, it included all other routes Sinj (including Medjugorje) or to Voćin traditionally or thematically related to and Aljma. Our Lady of Bistrica. Th is program was initially funded by the Ministry of the Th e proposal is raised to extend in Cro- Sea, Tourism, Transport and Develop- atia not only the central route from ment. Slovenia but east and west routes of the International Marian Path as well. Based on these preliminary activities, Th ese routes are designed as part of the Croatian and Slovenia jointly appeared "Bistrica" pilgrim routes network (Figu- under the project "Tourist infrastructu- re 3). Th e central route would enter re and promotion of selected religious Croatia via the border crossing Macelj centers," abbreviated as International (Cvetlin) to Marija Bistrica via Lepoglava Marian Path, at the competition for EU while the west route would go through pre-accession funds of EU IPA CBC Kumrovec via Krapina, and the eastern Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013. Th is project route through Dubrava Križovljanska via mainly relies on the idea of international Vinice (Opeka). pilgrimage that links Marija Bistrica (Croatia), Ptujska Gora (Slovenia) and Th is project is particularly complex be- Mariazell (Austria). In August 2009, after cause in Croatia it passes through the a number of demanding administrative area of three counties (Krapina-Zagorje, procedures, the notifi cation was received Varaždin and Zagreb) and the territory of that the project went to tender and that it several European countries. was awarded 720 000 euros. E. Kušen

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