- by croatiaweek
- August 30, 2025
-
in
Entertainment
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
The village of Belica in Međimurje has officially opened a unique cultural and educational centre – the Potato Museum – dedicated to preserving the region’s long-standing farming traditions and celebrating the potato as a symbol of local identity.
The Potato Museum has been conceived as a multi-purpose interpretative, educational and tourist centre.
Alongside exhibitions dedicated to potato farming traditions, it will also feature a fully equipped kitchen to showcase authentic Međimurje cuisine, strengthening both cultural and gastronomic tourism.
The project, worth over €400,000, has been years in the making.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
Initiated under the former mayor Zvonimir Taradi, construction began in November 2024 and culminated in a festive opening on 30 August 2025.
The striking building, designed to resemble a potato peel emerging from the soil, was co-funded by Međimurje County with €50,000 of support.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
County Prefect Matija Posavec emphasised the deep connection between Međimurje and the potato, or kalamper, noting that 37% of agricultural land in the county is devoted to potato farming.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
“There were years when up to 70% of Croatia’s potato needs were supplied from here. This museum is a lasting tribute to the hard work of our farmers,” he said, highlighting the timing of the opening alongside several local anniversaries, including the 25th Potato Festival.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
Belica’s mayor, Petar Janušić, called the day a landmark moment in the municipality’s history. “This is more than the opening of a museum – it is a celebration of effort, unity and heritage,” he said, thanking the many individuals, associations and institutions that helped realise the vision.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
National and regional leaders, including Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković and State Secretary for Agriculture Zdravko Tušek, also praised the initiative, noting both the challenges and resilience of local producers.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
The opening ceremony drew large crowds, with performances by the Belica Brass Band, members of the Belica Cultural Arts Society, young performers from the local kindergarten, and poet Vinko Rojko, creating a festive atmosphere that underlined the museum’s importance to the community.
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
(Photo: Medjimurska Županija)
