Stari Laz, Rural settlement in Ravna Gora, Croatia.
Stari Laz is a rural settlement nestled in a valley between Ravna Gora and Mrkopalj in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar region. The village sits within a forested landscape dominated by beech and fir trees that shape its natural surroundings.
The name comes from a mountain path called Laz that was used during Turkish raids, before Empress Maria Theresa authorized permanent settlement in the area. This early connection to defense shaped the village's development.
The residents of Stari Laz speak multiple Croatian dialects, including ča, što, and kaj, representing the linguistic diversity of the region.
The area is forested and hilly, offering good conditions for exploring on foot through the wooded terrain. A school building from the 1890s still stands in the village, reflecting the historic infrastructure of the place.
A small chapel dedicated to Saint Stephen was built in 1912 by local residents and remains the religious center of the community today. It shows how deeply rooted the community is in this place.
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