April the 2nd, 2026 – They call Krašić the Valley of the Cardinals, as this little Croatian village is better known for its clergymen than anything else. You’ll find it between Zagreb and Karlovac, and it has been a more serious victim of the demographic crisis.
As Putni kofer writes, surrounded by gentle, rolling green hills, vineyards and ample orchards, the area around Zagreb exudes rural charm and the typical landscape of central Croatia. Indeed, just a ten minute or so drive outside of the centre of the city leaves you feeling as if you’re absolutely nowhere even close to the capital.
Nestled within this picturesque landscape, right between Karlovac and Zagreb, lies Krašić, an unremarkable little settlement that at first glance seems quiet and modest. It does however carry a very rich history and boasts strong spiritual significance. It is a small place that has been the victim of depopulation, currently having only about 500 inhabitants. In fact, not even the entire wider municipality numbers more than 2000 residents, but due to its important role in the cultural and religious history of Croatia, it proudly bears the nickname “Valley of the Cardinals”.
The most famous person associated with Krašić is Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, the Archbishop of Zagreb who was born in the nearby village of Brezarić in 1898 and spent the last years of his life under house arrest in Krašić, where he died in 1960. Because of this, the place has become an important pilgrimage destination, and every year on February the 10th, the day of his birth, Stepinčevo is celebrated, when believers from all over Croatia come to Krašić.
In addition to Cardinal Stepinac, other important church figures also come from the Krašić region, including Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, Bishop Josip Mrljak and Military Bishop Juraj Jezerinac, which further confirms the strong spiritual tradition of this area. The Krašić parish website lists the names of more than ten living priests, bishops and cardinals from the Krašić region. Due to all of the above, as well as its natural beauty, Krašić has become an important pilgrimage destination.
Krašić was first mentioned in historical documents in 1249, and the existence of the Holy Trinity parish was recorded as early as 1334. This means that life in this area has been developing continuously for more than seven centuries.
Today, Krašić is the administrative centre of the municipality bearing the same name, which includes several smaller settlements and villages scattered across the hills between Žumberak and the Kupa River. According to recent censuses, the municipality is home to a little over 2,000 inhabitants, with the settlement of Krašić alone only having a few hundred people.
