About Us
Radoboj is a unique site rich in sulfur and coal deposits, with a long mining tradition and valuable fossil and archaeological finds, making it an extraordinary treasure all in one place.
The first written mention of Radoboj dates back to 1334, referencing the parish church ecclesia sancte Trinitatis de Radboa (Church of the Holy Trinity). However, the settlement itself is much older, as evidenced by numerous prehistoric and historic archaeological discoveries.
During the Middle Ages, Radoboj was part of a feudal system linked to the nearby town of Krapina. In the 18th and 19th centuries, noble families established estates in the area, including Prašna near Lopatice, Šašinovec in Košutići, and a manor in Jazvine.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Radoboj became an important mining center for sulfur and coal. The world-renowned Radoboj sulfur refining machine was first used here. Miners also founded a mining school on October 20, 1833, to provide better opportunities for their children. Mining remained a vital part of Radoboj’s history until the end of World War II.
Useful Information
The Radoboj Museum building is closely linked to local education. A canonical visit record from 1639 notes the existence of a primary school, but about 26 years later, schooling ceased due to poverty. By the early 19th century, educational activity resumed, and Radoboj emerged as a key mining center in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with miners founding a school for their children.
The original school building, with two classrooms, was constructed in 1900, and five years later a residential annex for teachers was added. In 2009, reconstruction began to convert the building into the Radoboj Museum, with complete energy efficiency upgrades, including thermal insulation, modern windows, and a new roof.
The museum is equipped with the first heat pump in Krapina-Zagorje County, providing a modern heating and cooling system. Additionally, a solar power plant has been installed on the roof to generate electricity sustainably.
Museum Collections
Mining Collection
The mining collection showcases the rich mining heritage of Radoboj, which began with the discovery of native sulfur in the early 19th century. The “sulfur era” in Radoboj lasted over a century, supplying the entire Austro-Hungarian economy.
Archaeological Collection
The archaeological collection preserves material remains of human history from Radoboj and its surroundings, gathered from the first half of the 19th century to the present day.
Geological Collection
The geological collection features fossilized flora and fauna dating back 12 to 14 million years. The most numerous specimens are leaf fossils, along with impressions of stems, seeds, flowers, and fruits.
Why Visit Radoboj Museum?
Radoboj is home to vine leaf fossils dating back 12 to 14 million years, making them the oldest known fossils of this type in this part of Europe. The rich fossil discoveries of the 19th century attracted the attention of international scientists, who collected many of these remarkable specimens. Systematic collection began in 1838, and although much of the original collection was sent to Vienna and Budapest, the establishment of the National Museum in Zagreb in 1846 ensured that many natural treasures were preserved locally.
The fossil layers in Radoboj contain remains of terrestrial and marine organisms, offering a glimpse into past climates and ecosystems, including life on land and in the warm Pannonian Sea. The fossil flora is exceptionally well-preserved in Sarmatian limestone layers, with the majority of finds being leaf impressions, along with stems, seeds, flowers, and fruits. These diverse plant species reveal that Radoboj once had a rich and lush vegetation, very different from today.
The area is also notable for its fossil insects, which are rare worldwide, making the Radoboj collection particularly valuable.
Radoboj’s long history of settlement is reflected in archaeological finds, including Iron Age burial mounds in Podstenje and Celtic gold coins featuring Greek goddesses Athena and Nike.
Significant archaeological discoveries include:
- Hilltop settlements with iron ore exploitation at Hajdine Zerne (2012)
- Fortified hilltop settlements at Plat/Nagora and Crkviše (2013), dating to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages
- Prehistoric settlements at Gornja Šemnica-Hernija, Pamucin-Krči, and Bregi Radobojski-Harmonija, attributed to the Copper Age
Several sites have yielded only chipped lithic artifacts, suggesting the presence of even older open-air settlements, pending future archaeological excavations.
Radoboj Museum offers visitors a unique window into millions of years of natural history and thousands of years of human activity, making it a must-visit destination for history and science enthusiasts alike.
You can find out more about us here.