Kerestinec brings together Erdödy Castle and a lake used for recreational and sport fishing. The parish church and the Pontius Monument also give the town distinctive cultural and historical features. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Kerestinec, these different themes can help you choose the focus of your stay.
Erdödy Castle: A castle and its former grounds
Erdödy Castle is a Renaissance-Baroque castle built by the Erdödy counts. It stands in the lowlands at the edge of the settlement of Kerestinec, near the Srebrnjak and Korenjak streams. Historical sources also refer to Srebrnjak as Bernica. Lake Kerestinec lies in the immediate vicinity of the castle. Its former grounds included a moat once filled with water from nearby streams and a drawbridge leading to the northern entrance. The castle’s architecture and individual elements of its former surroundings can therefore be considered together.
Parish Church and Parish Grounds
The parish church contains the altar fresco “Kerestinečko uskrsnuće,” created by Marijan Jakubin in 2003. Ten stained-glass windows complement the interior: the designs are by Željka Bašlin, and the windows were made by academic sculptor Jure Žaja. The single fresco, with its title and year of creation, is thus complemented by an ensemble of ten windows. There is also a Way of the Cross on the parish grounds. The City of Sveta Nedelja designed the paths; individual parishioners donated the stations. A Lourdes chapel was built alongside a hall seating 40 to 50 people. The artworks, Way of the Cross and chapel thus represent different aspects of the parish grounds.
Pontius Monument: Discovery, Original and Replica
The stone tombstone of the Roman official “Pontius,” dating from the 3rd century AD, was found near Kerestinec in the late 19th century. The monument is believed to have been carved by a local master. It was erected on the Roman road near Kerestinec, which connected Emona (Ljubljana) and Siscia (Sisak). The original and the replica are in different locations: the original has been kept at the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb since 1896, while a replica is on display in the centre of Kerestinec. The findspot, the road and the two places where the monument is kept connect it to the region and beyond.
Lake Kerestinec: Fishing and Lakeside Activities
Recreational and sport fishing are the main activities at Lake Kerestinec. Fish species in the lake include carp, grass carp, pike, zander and catfish. Day and annual permits are available at the fishing lodge, and fishing competitions are held throughout the year. The lakes in Sveta Nedelja, including Kerestinec, are suitable for relaxation, cycling, walking and family outings along the shores. Maintenance also applies to the lakes collectively: local sport fishing clubs look after their cleanliness and upkeep, as well as stocking them with fish. The lakeside setting therefore offers both fishing and other activities along the shores within a wider regional context.
Discover more destinations: Rakitje, Sveta Nedelja, Ružići, Novaki, Veli Turini, Veli Golji, Kraj Drage, Martinski
For the overview of the wider area: Općina Sveta Nedelja.
