One of the most famous and celebrated events from the Croatian history, Gubec’s rebellion, took place in regions today belonging to Croatia and Slovenia in 1573, and each year the attempt to improve the living conditions of the poor people of the region is remembered in the region of Donja Stubica and Gornja Stubica.
The rebellion (in Croatian called “Seljačka buna”) happened in late January of 1573, and it was organized by Matija Gubec, to fight against the unbelievably cruel treatment of local peasants by baron Ferenc Tahy. The peasants just wanted to improve their lives, there was no major political agenda behind their actions, they just wanted to work hard and get some food for it. The rebellion lasted for 12, and was ended with the defeat of the rebels and again, incredibly cruel and bloody retribution by the nobility against anyone who was part of the rebellion.
Each year, the Tourist Board of the Donja Stubica and Gornja Stubica area organizes the commemoration of the Gubec’s rebellion and the peasants participating in it, and in the past several years that event has grown into two weekends of combining the history with celebrations and parties.
On Sunday, February 3rd, the first events will take place in both Donja and Gornja Stubica, where Matija Gubec’s life before the rebellion will be presented and re-enacted in Donja Stubica, and after that the original uprising of the peasants will be re-enacted by the Gubec’s Linden Tree (which is an important monument for the rebellion) in Gornja Stubica. In addition to that, you will have the chance to see the Matija Gubec Museum with expert guidance for half-price of admission at 11 am.
The “main event” will take place on the Saturday after that, on February 9th. In the morning there will be a medieval festival organised in front of the church in Donja Stubica. Then “the peasants” participating in the re-enactment will gather there and start their route to the Stubički Golubovec Castle. That’s where the main event, the re-enactment of the Battle of Stubica which ended the Gubec’s rebellion, will be held at 2 pm. The re-enactment is performed by members of many groups who appreciate the medieval traditions. After that, the party will take place in a tent in the centre of Donja Stubica.
On February 9th, there will be a way for you to get from Zagreb to Donja Stubica and participate in the events of the day. ZET buses will be taking passengers from the centre of the city to Donja Stubica, leaving at 10, 11, 12 am and 1 pm, and leaving Donja Stubica back to Zagreb at 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 pm. The bus will be free and will be leaving from the tourist bus stop in front of Importanne Center, near Zagreb Main Railroad station.
