In Viškovo, the tradition of the Halubajski zvončari meets practical opportunities for cultural and nature excursions. The annual procession of the Halubajski zvončari is associated with the Kastav area and takes place during the January carnival season. The House of the Halubje Bell Ringers is dedicated to the annual procession; at Kapitovac, trails lead to a deep doline and a stone-built pond. There are several useful points of reference for planning: cultural sites, a hiking route with a stated distance, and a rest area for hikers and cyclists.
Bell-Ringing Tradition and Cultural Sites in Viškovo
The House of the Halubje Bell Ringers in Viškovo presents the tradition in an educational, interactive exhibition featuring original historical objects and modern multimedia content. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the annual procession of the bell ringers, which has been included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Both the exhibition’s objects and media, and the procession itself, are therefore in the spotlight. If you are planning a specific visit, check the latest programmes and access information.
There is also a sculpture park at the house. Its layout is almost like a labyrinth, and visitors can walk through it. The layout and installations may change over time. Another link to the bell-ringing tradition is the Halubajski zvončari Trail: marked as a hiking and walking route with an educational purpose, it passes historical, cultural and culinary sites. The exhibition and the trail thus offer different perspectives: one presents the tradition, while the other features stops along a route.
The Church of St Matthew in Viškovo was built in 1862 on the site of an older chapel. The painting on the main altar was created in 1863 by local painter Ivan Baštijan. The Ivan Matetić Ronjgov cultural institution also offers a connection to local cultural life, hosting cultural events such as Matetićevi dani. For specific travel plans, check the latest dates for such events.
A visit to the house also offers a culinary option: Restoran Zvončar serves home-style dishes. The menu and operating details may change, so check the latest information before planning a visit.
Hiking Trails and Kapitovac
The 8.6-kilometre Plešivac hiking trail connects Marčelji and Tibljaši; its highest point is at 429 metres. Its length, destinations and elevation provide a clear guide when choosing a route. The best way to check current trail conditions is on site.
At Kapitovac, the approach passes through parcels bordered by dry-stone walls and leads to a 30-metre-deep doline and a stone-built pond that serves as a rest area for hikers and cyclists. Kapitovac-kalić lies in the deepest doline in Viškovo. The pond is elliptical and covers approximately 300 square metres. In addition to the trail itself, visitors will find a distinctive landscape feature and a designated rest area here; conditions on the access trail may change.
More Things to Do in the Wider Destination of Općina Viškovo
Beyond the immediate destination, it is worth exploring the wider destination of Općina Viškovo. The Halubajski carnival takes place there every year on the first Saturday after 17 January, St Anthony’s Day. The programme includes masks, music, dancing and groups of bell ringers. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the latest event information.
For cyclists, the “Tragom Halubajskih zvončara” route is an easy circular cycling route. It follows sections of the Halubajski zvončari’s three-day procession route and passes the original locations, which feature educational displays. “Od kalića do kalića” offers a different kind of tour: the route connects Blažići and Mladenići, runs through wooded areas and over hills with scenic views, and passes hidden kalići that form part of the area’s natural heritage. It is suitable for an easy one-hour walk or a bike ride. Several useful planning details are therefore available: the Plešivac trail has a stated length and highest point, while the walk on the wider route takes one hour.
Another point of interest in Općina Viškovo is Lončeva Griža in Lučići. The viewpoint is at an elevation of 506 metres, with views of Kvarner Bay, Grobnik Field, Gorski Kotar, the Velebit Mountains and neighbouring Slovenia. The šterne also offer insight into the region’s history: every settlement in the municipality has at least one central šterna, a cistern that once provided an important source of life for the community and now serves as cultural and historical heritage, recalling earlier ways of life.
Discover more destinations: Marinići.
Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Viškovo.
