The myth about Veronika of Desinić
Hrvatsko zagorje is known for its many stories and myths about people who have lived and ruled in the region throughout its history. We will begin with the tragic story of Veronika of Desinić, whose bones and skull are still in the walls of the Veliki Tabor Castle.
Legend has it that Veronika of Desinić was a pretty peasant who became the object of affection of Fridrih, the son of the mighty Herman II of Celje. The father disapproved of their love and the young couple fled to Fridrihštajn in Slovenia to get married.
Unfortunately, Fridrih’s father quickly learnt of the whereabouts of the young lovers and sent his army to catch them. Fridrih managed to save Veronika from the army and advised her to hide in Sveta Margita, a little village beyond Kalnik Mountain. Fridrih, however, did not manage to escape his father’s army and after being caught, his father threw him in a windowless dungeon, which had only one hole for food to be passed through. Veronika was also soon caught and sent to a windowless dungeon at the entrance of Veliki Tabor. Herman was determined to have Veronika killed, and summoned the judges in order to accuse her of practising black magic. However, the judges recognised Veronika’s pure heart and declared her innocent; in fact, they said that her only crime was her love for Fridrih. Enraged, Herman ordered that she be drowned. He had Veronika’s dead body walled up in the walls of the castle.
The legend about the origin of the wine tradition
The wine tradition in Zagorje dates back to ancient times, when the Romans, during their conquests, passed through the region of Zagorje. The Roman soldiers often visited Vinski vrh, where the leading Zagorje wines are produced today, and refreshed themselves with wine. Legend has it that during the night, the soldiers were visited by elves who raised their spirits for their ensuing battles with their songs. The elfves then hid the weapons from the sleeping soldiers to prevent them from fighting and to stop the warfare. The winegrowers can still hear the echoes of the elves’ songs from their wine cellars, and their magical sound is felt in the enchanting aroma of the wine.