Hunting Collection and Dormouse Museum

The Hunting Collection and Dormouse Museum is a small museum in Prezid, a village in Gorski Kotar, the forested mountain region of western Croatia, close to the border with Slovenia. It is a museum devoted to two connected subjects, the hunting traditions of the region and the history of dormouse hunting, a practice that was once part of country life in the beech forests of this part of Europe.

To understand it, you need to know the animal. The edible dormouse, known in Croatian as puh, is a small, nocturnal rodent with soft grey fur and a bushy tail, which lives in old deciduous forests and feeds on nuts, fruit and seeds. In autumn it fattens up on beechnuts and acorns, and then it hibernates through the winter, often for more than half the year. In earlier centuries, people in the forested uplands of Slovenia and Croatia hunted dormice in the autumn, when they were at their fattest, and used them as food, as well as for their fur and their fat, which was used as a kind of oil. The practice was especially important in the Lož Valley on the Slovenian side, and in the neighbouring Karst and Gorski Kotar regions, and it created a body of local tradition, with special traps and methods handed down over generations. The museum tells the story of this vanished way of life.

Inside, the exhibits include a collection of hunting trophies from local game, such as deer, boar and other forest animals, which reflect the abundance of wildlife in the region, together with displays about the dormouse itself and the tools used to hunt it. Explanations cover traditional methods, including a technique that dates back to the Middle Ages, and show how the hunt fitted into the farming year. Interactive elements and information panels make the story easy to follow, and the museum offers educational programmes for children and school groups, so it works well for families.

The surroundings are part of the experience. Prezid lies in a landscape of dense forest and small clearings, and the woods are home to brown bears, lynx and wolves, among other species. The Bear Observation Area and Prezid Forest allow visitors to learn about large carnivores, and the village’s church of St. Michael the Archangel adds a historical note. Gorski Kotar is an excellent area for walking, and the fresh air of the forests is part of its attraction.

While details can change, opening hours and admission fees are best checked with the museum directly, since small museums often keep seasonal or appointment-only schedules. The museum celebrates Croatia’s forest heritage, and it suits families, nature lovers and anyone who enjoys unusual, specialised collections. A visit takes an hour or so, and it combines well with a forest walk.