Opeka Manor

Opeka Manor is a historic estate in the village of Marčan, part of the Vinica municipality in northern Croatia. Set at the foot of the Macelj forest in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region, the complex is best known for the vast arboretum that surrounds it.

Where is Opeka Manor located?

Marčan is a small village within the Vinica municipality, in Varaždin County, close to the Slovenian border, in the historic Hrvatsko Zagorje region. The manor sits at the edge of the Macelj woodlands, surrounded by the rolling hills typical of this part of Croatia. It's a quiet, rural area well off the country's main tourist routes — a plus for travelers looking for something less crowded.

What's the history behind the manor?

The estate dates back to the 17th century, when it was founded by the Counts Keglević. Ownership later passed through several noble families: first the Counts Nádasdy, then the Draškovich family, and finally the Bombelles family, who held the property until 1945. Because of this long association, the manor is also known as Bombelles Manor. Its layered architecture — blending elements added during different periods — reflects the succession of owners who each left their mark on the building. After decades of neglect following the Second World War, the manor fell into disrepair; a comprehensive restoration that brought it back to life was completed in 2024.

What can you see on site?

The manor's biggest draw isn't the building itself but the arboretum surrounding it — one of only four arboretums of its kind in all of Croatia. Covering roughly 64 hectares, the park was first planted during the time of Count Marko Bombelles, who brought in rare tree and plant species from around the world. The result is an unusually diverse botanical collection, rarely matched on this scale elsewhere in the region. Walking the park's paths, visitors encounter both native species typical of the Zagorje landscape and exotic specimens introduced by the Bombelles family more than a century ago. The manor building itself, following its recent restoration, showcases a layered baroque and historicist architecture that bears witness to its centuries-long history.

How do you get to Opeka Manor?

Marčan lies within the Vinica municipality, in the northern part of Varaždin County, near the border with Slovenia. The most practical way to reach it is by car — the area isn't well served by public transport, and its location away from major routes means having your own vehicle gives you the most freedom to explore the surrounding Hrvatsko Zagorje hills as well.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the site's focus on its extensive park and arboretum, spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the vegetation is in full bloom and a walk through the grounds is at its most rewarding. Autumn offers a different appeal, with the manor's diverse tree collection turning through rich fall colors.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Opeka Manor different from other estates in Zagorje? Mainly the scale and diversity of its arboretum — one of just four such parks in Croatia, holding a plant collection assembled from around the world back in the 19th century.

Who owned the manor over the centuries? It was founded by the Counts Keglević in the 17th century, then passed to the Nádasdy family, the Draškovich family, and finally the Bombelles family, who owned it until 1945.

Has the manor been restored? Yes. A full restoration of both the building and the surrounding park was completed in 2024, after years in which the estate had fallen into disrepair.

Is the park worth visiting even without access to the manor's interior? Absolutely — the roughly 64-hectare arboretum is the main reason to visit in its own right, regardless of what's accessible inside the manor itself.