Museum of Forestry, Hunting, and Fishing

The Museum of Forestry, Hunting and Fishing is located in Brod na Kupi, a small village on the Kupa river in Gorski Kotar, close to the border with Slovenia. The Kupa rises in the Risnjak mountains and flows along the frontier for much of its course, and at Brod it is a clear, fast river lined with forest. The village takes its name from a ford or ferry on the river, and for a long time it was an important crossing point and a centre of the local timber trade. The museum is housed in the old Zrinski fortress, a historic building linked to the noble Zrinski family, who held large estates in this part of Croatia in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The subject of the museum suits its setting. Gorski Kotar is the most heavily forested region of Croatia, with endless woods of beech and fir covering the hills, and forestry, hunting and fishing have shaped local life for centuries. Felling timber, floating logs down the rivers and working in sawmills gave work to generations of families, while hunting and fishing supplemented the household economy and later became sports. The exhibits present tools and techniques used in the forests, such as axes, saws and equipment for hauling and transporting logs, along with hunting weapons, trophies, traps and fishing gear. Photographs, documents and models help to explain how the work was done and how it changed over time.

The displays combine traditional objects with interactive content, which makes the museum accessible to families and visitors who are not specialists. The presentation covers the natural environment, including the large mammals of the region, such as bears, lynx and wolves, and the fish of the Kupa and its tributaries, among them trout and grayling. The fortress adds atmosphere, since the thick walls and old rooms give the collection a historic frame. A visit usually takes one to two hours, depending on how much time you spend with the displays, and it is a good option on a rainy day.

Brod na Kupi is easy to explore on foot, and parking is available nearby. The riverbank offers walks, picnic spots and chances to watch fishermen, and in summer the Kupa is popular for swimming, canoeing and rafting. The surrounding Gorski Kotar countryside has hiking and cycling routes, and the Risnjak National Park lies not far away. Before travelling, it is wise to check the opening arrangements, since small regional museums often have limited hours, and it may be worth asking in advance about guided visits in other languages.

The museum suits families, nature lovers, couples and anyone curious about rural life in the mountains. Combine it with a walk along the Kupa and a meal of local specialities.