August 20, 2023 – There is plenty of life and tradition in continental Croatia – a visit to the majestic Koprivnica Renaissance Festival.
One of the things that makes Croatia so interesting to me is its sheer diversity of traditions and authentic experiences. While many are on the coast soaking up the rays and chilling in the Adriatic, there are seriously cool events inland that attract an entirely different crowd.
One of the most interesting concludes today. I went to the Koprivnica Renaissance Festival several years ago with the excellent Gastronaut foodie group, and found myself dressed in 16th century attire, attending a Renaissance banquet. It was fabulous.
Held annually each year, the Koprivnica Renaissance Festival is a journey back in time to 1356, when Koprovnica became a Royal Free City. The festival mostly focuses on the 15th and 16th centuries, and it is the largest medieval fair in this part of Europe. It brings together many craftsmen still practising medieval ways, and its actors include merchants, knights, ladies, the king and his court men, waifs, beggars, serfs, alchemists, musicians, entertainers and many others, such as cooks who prepare medieval dishes on site.
No Coca Cola and plastic straws here, but traditional drinks such as mead, wine and beer served in wooden and ceramic bowls. Koprivnica native Igor Vuk took time out from editing our YouTube channel to showcase a little of the atmosphere of this year’s event in the video above.
