Chapel of Our Lady of Sljeme, Queen of Croats

Nestled among the trees near Činovnička Livada, right where the trails from Zagreb and Zagorje meet, this small stone-and-wood chapel feels perfectly at home in its natural surroundings: peaceful, welcoming and full of character.

Built in 1932, the chapel marks two major milestones in Croatian history: a thousand years of the Croatian kingdom and 1300 years since the Croats were first baptised. Designed by architect Juraj Denzler, it was inspired by early Croatian churches. Its interior is brought to life with colourful, folk-inspired paintings by artists like Vanja Radauš, Josip Turkalj, Radoje Hudoklin and Mirko Stupica.

Everything inside tells a story – rooted in Medvednica yet connected to the whole of Croatia. The ceiling is crafted from Slavonian oak, the altar from white Brač stone and clay vessels from Petrova Gora add an earthy touch, all grounded by local stone and wood from the mountain itself. Together, they blend the spirit of Medvednica with the country’s shared heritage.

Even without a regular parish community, the chapel has been home to a unique “tourist parish” since 1963, making it the highest parish church in Croatia. There’s no graveyard and funerals aren’t held here – but it is a charming place for weddings and christenings. It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting to begin a new chapter.

If you’re out hiking and looking for a quiet place to pause, take in the forest air and experience something a little different, this sweet forest chapel is well worth the detour.