This calm Croatian town in Sisak-Moslavina County has a Renaissance-era parish church and a well-preserved 18th-century mansion housing the local museum.
Kutina lies in central Croatia’s Moslavina region, framed by gentle hills and flat river plains. Walk through Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, where storks build nests on wooden rooftops in villages like Čigoč. The baroque-style Church of Saint Mary of the Snow stands prominently in town, its white exterior set against forests and fields. Explore hills north of Kutina to find remnants of medieval forts, and visit local vineyards producing Škrlet, a white wine unique to this area. After dark, Baraka club fills with live bands and art exhibitions, highlighting the town’s energetic younger community.
Lonjsko Polje Nature Park and Medieval Fort Remains
Lonjsko Polje, 15 minutes by car from Kutina, shelters one of Europe’s largest preserved wetlands. Follow wooden paths to spot wild horses grazing in meadows or white-tailed eagles circling above. During spring rains, parts of the park flood, attracting over 250 bird species. Head north into Moslavina’s wooded hills to find ruins like those near Husain village—crumbling stone structures once used by nobles to monitor the landscape. From these elevated points, you’ll see a mosaic of farm fields and dense oak woodlands stretching to the horizon.
Škrlet Wine and Moslavina’s Vineyards
Moslavina’s wine routes link family-run vineyards focused on Škrlet, a crisp white wine with subtle peach notes. The grape thrives in the area’s mineral-heavy soil, and many growers invite visitors into their cellars for tastings. Travel by car or bike along marked trails through Voloder and Lipovljani, pausing to try homemade cheeses and cured meats. In autumn, towns around Kutina hold festivals where winemakers open their doors, and traditional bands play. Locals often pair Škrlet with fish caught in the nearby Sava River, a combination worth sampling.
Church of Saint Mary of the Snow and Wooden Villages
The Church of Saint Mary of the Snow, completed in 1773, towers over Kutina with its baroque design and tall bell tower. Inside, golden altar details and painted scenes from the Bible cover the walls. Nearby villages like Čigoč preserve wooden houses with steep roofs and broad porches supported by carved pillars. Built to survive seasonal floods, many now operate as guesthouses or small museums displaying tools and textiles from past generations. Restoration projects emphasize original methods, such as using oak beams and clay-based plaster.
Baraka Club and Local Media
Baraka club occupies a converted factory space, its walls covered in murals, and stages live rock performances, electronic music nights, and plays. It draws crowds from Kutina and beyond, including visitors from Zagreb. The town supports regional media: Radio Moslavina airs local news and folk songs, while the weekly Moslavački List newspaper has reported on events since 1996. In 1997, Nezavisna Televizija (NeT), one of Croatia’s earliest private TV channels, began broadcasting from Voloder village near Kutina.
Exploring Villages Near Kutina
Small communities like Repušnica and Stupovača reveal Moslavina’s rural rhythms. Watch summer demonstrations at Repušnica’s 18th-century watermill, still functional, or examine antique log hives at Stupovača’s beekeeping museum. Each September, Jamarica village hosts a folklore festival with dancers in handmade linen outfits. For peaceful strolls, follow paths through Katoličke Čaire’s fruit orchards or along the Ilova River, where locals fish for pike. Buses run from Kutina to these villages, but renting a car simplifies trips to harder-to-reach spots.
