zavičajni muzej Donja Kupčina

Zavičajni muzej Donja Kupčina (the Donja Kupčina Heritage Museum) is an open-air ethnographic museum in the village of Donja Kupčina, within the Pisarovina municipality, about 30 km south of Zagreb on the way to Karlovac. It's the second-largest open-air museum in Croatia and one of the best stops in the Pokuplje region for anyone curious about rural life a century ago.

What will you see there?

The museum's core is a group of ten wooden buildings — traditional houses and farm structures moved or reconstructed from villages across Pokuplje, Turopolje, and Croatian Posavina. Together they recreate a rural household from the late 19th to early 20th century: living quarters, a granary, a barn, and various outbuildings used for everyday farm work.

Inside, the collection holds nearly 2,000 registered ethnographic items. Expect textiles and the tools once used to process flax and wool, traditional household furniture, ceramics, and iron and wooden objects ranging from practical implements to decorative pieces. There are also farming tools and equipment once used to lift and move the timber frames of these wooden houses during construction. Since 2022, the museum has held protected cultural heritage status, granted by a decision of Croatia's Ministry of Culture.

How do you get to Donja Kupčina?

The museum sits right on the main road connecting Zagreb and Karlovac, within the Pisarovina municipality. The easiest way to reach it from Zagreb is by car, a drive of roughly 30–40 minutes. It makes a natural stopover if you're heading from Zagreb toward Karlovac, Plitvice Lakes, or the coast — worth carving out an hour or two along the way.

What else does the museum offer?

Beyond the permanent exhibition, the museum runs an education program for preschool and school-age children. Workshops take place in the courtyard, moving into a brick building during the colder months. Sessions cover the region's cultural and natural heritage, and one of the more popular offerings is a traditional embroidery workshop, where participants learn the patterns and techniques typical of Pokuplje needlework.

The museum has already marked half a century of activity — it was founded in 1973 and has served ever since as a guardian of local heritage, collecting artifacts from the region's farming past.

When should you visit?

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00. It's worth planning ahead, especially if you want to join a workshop or themed event — these happen occasionally, often tied to folk holidays or museum anniversaries.

Who is this place for?

Zavičajni muzej Donja Kupčina appeals to anyone interested in ethnography, wooden architecture, or the history of rural central Croatia, but it also works well as a family outing — children get to see, up close, tools and objects they might otherwise only know from textbooks. It's also a good addition to a wider trip through Zagreb County, paired with a visit to Pisarovina itself or the nearby villages of Pokuplje.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In the village of Donja Kupčina, within the Pisarovina municipality in Zagreb County, right along the road between Zagreb and Karlovac.

How many buildings make up the exhibition? The open-air complex consists of ten wooden structures — houses and farm buildings — representing the architecture of Pokuplje, Turopolje, and Posavina.

Does the museum offer workshops for children? Yes, it runs regular educational programs for preschoolers and school students, including traditional embroidery workshops held in the courtyard or in the brick building.

What are the opening hours? Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00.