Ogulin and surrounding nature deeply impress each visitor. Well, it is the home of fairytale after all! Ogulin area is a real fairytale landscape surrounded by the valley of the river Dobra and the mountain giant - Klek; Ogulin itself arouse from karst ground, containing numerous karst valleys and caves. Thin line between reality and dream divides Frankopanski kaštel (Frankopan's Castle) (from the 16th century) and the life in the city from branched and secretive subways in Đulin ponor (Đula's abyss). A rich collection of legends is a proof of impression that homeland left on its inhabitants.
Even Ivana Brlić Mažuranić had not been left indifferent by Ogulin and its surroundings. The most translated Croatian author of children's books was born in Ogulin. Moreover, Ogulin landscapes impressed her in such a way that she found inspiration for writing of "Priče iz davnina" (Tales of Long Ago). Her stories of those impression inspired creating of fairytale route that connect 12 places in the town and surroundings; interpretative plates, having shape of characters from Ivana's stories, introduce the visitor to magic and fairytale-like character of Ogulin.
Fairytale route unites the beauty of nature of Ogulin surroundings and Ivana Brlić Mažuranić's fairytales, interwoven with wisdom of tradition and old Slavic legends. The impression is even stronger if you are taken on that route by guides disguised in characters from Ivana's stories, such as Malik Tintilinić - a perky host whose spirit brings joy to everybody around him. Fairytale route is linked to educative botanical pathway Klek; therefore, while conquering the giant, you shall get to know more about plants and endemic species on Klek.
Ogulin - the homeland of fairytales reaches its highlight every year in June, celebrating fairytales and fairytales creativity at fairytale festival in Ogulin. This unique festival in Croatia gathers artists and artist associations of various utterances, empowering local cultural and artistic creativity. Artists, children and young people, parents, they all participate in the offer of fairytale experience through various creative shows and workshops at streets and squares of Ogulin. During this festival, creative and utopian forces inspire all participants and guests!
