Veli Brgud combines rural cultural heritage with a distinctive bell-ringing and masking tradition. It also has churches with different historical associations, a local language tradition, and clearly described walking and cycling routes. This makes it possible to get to know the place through both its architectural and customary history and the choice of a route.

Bell-Ringing Traditions and Village History

The Brgujski zvončari and mačkare association was founded in 1998 to preserve local bell-ringing and masking traditions. The Brgujski zvončari were recognised as representatives of intangible world heritage in 2009. The described procession through surrounding settlements includes three groups: adult zvončari, child zvončari and masked participants. The procession is associated with the penultimate Sunday of the Carnival season. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

Veli Brgud is a rural cultural heritage complex with probably medieval origins. Historically, the village was associated with pastoralism, forestry, agriculture and viticulture. Its buildings range from older stone farm buildings and simple medieval single-storey houses to more complex examples from the 18th and 19th centuries. This range helps illustrate the village’s architectural history in its various forms.

The small Church of St Nicholas is considered the oldest surviving building in Veli Brgud. Built in the late Gothic tradition, it dates to the 16th century and was first mentioned in writing in 1666. The church also had another historical role before Easter: it was a pilgrimage destination for people from Kastav, and one of three processions led to Brgud. This pilgrimage is part of the village’s history, not a practice documented here as taking place today.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been protected as a cultural asset since 2005. The language also gives the village its own character: the speech of Veli Brgud belongs to the Munski dialect group within the Čakavian dialect area. Brgujski kapuz adds a culinary dimension to this local distinctiveness: it is a purple cabbage with a strong, peppery taste. A small replica of a lime kiln, called Japlenica, was built in Štambulija in 2017 and can be seen on a visit to Veli Brgud.

Walking and Cycling

The Do Studenca trail covers 1,800 metres to Studenac and takes about 30 minutes on foot; it is rated easy and is also suitable for cycling. Studenac itself is a large walled pond beside a small spring. This gives the short route a clearly named destination. The second walking route, from Veli Brgud to Šapjane, is 3,800 metres long and rated moderate to difficult. It is also suitable for cycling. The two trails therefore differ in both length and stated difficulty.

There are other options for longer cycling trips. Tourist cycling route 118, “Saka noć ima svoju moć,” is a 32-kilometre circular route that passes through Veli Brgud. The Veli Brgud–Male Mune–Veli Brgud road cycling route is also 32 kilometres long. The same distance does not mean they are the same route: one is identified as a circular route with its own name, while the other is named for its sequence of places. Check the signage and trail conditions locally before setting out.

A Matulji Aqua Oasis water tap is available in Veli Brgud for walkers, cyclists and passers-by. As infrastructure can be relocated or temporarily unavailable, check its availability before your outing.

Discover more destinations: Jušići, Jurdani, Matulji, Rupa, Male Mune, Mihotići, Pasjak, Rukavac.

For the broader travel overview: Općina Matulji.