Tugonica

Tugonica is a rural settlement in Krapina-Zagorje County in northern Croatia, close to Marija Bistrica. Houses sit along narrow roads and small lanes, surrounded by fields and wooded hills that define the gentle contours of this region.

The settlement grew in the shadow of the pilgrimage center of Marija Bistrica, whose religious importance shaped the development of surrounding villages over the centuries. Over time, craft and farming defined the life of residents who supplied visiting pilgrims and travelers.

The name refers to an old Croatian word for lamenting or mourning, possibly reflecting past conditions or events in this rural area. Visitors walking through the settlement may still spot workshops where artisans carve and shape traditional wooden objects that have been made here for generations.

Access is via the D29 highway, which links the village to larger towns in the region and provides clear orientation. Those exploring on foot will find quiet paths between fields and small farmsteads that work well for short walks.

Some workshops still produce more than fifty different types of handcrafted wooden toys, often decorated with delicate floral patterns. This practice forms part of a regional craft tradition now recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.