Natural heritage
Nature Park Medvednica
80% of the Stubičke Toplice area is located in the Nature Park Medvednica - a natural landscaping value of the Municipality.
Medvednica - a mountain in northwestern Croatia, is a treasure chest of biodiversity, which became a Nature park in 1981.
The flora of Medvednica is very rich, varied and interesting. Flora, the Roman goddess of spring and flowers, so far recorded 1205 species and subspecies, accounting for about 23% of total vascular plants.
The vegetation of Medvednica is largely presented by naturally preserved forests. Because of relief indentation, various geological substrates and soil types, even 12 forest communities appear here.
The Park has recorded 91 strictly protected species. One of them is a beautiful conifer, yew (Taxus baccata). In a strictly protected species category, we can find two types of lilies on Medvednica: Carniolan lily (Lilium carniolicum) and Lily (Lilium martagon). All Medvednica orchids are also protected.
However, the risk of extinction threatens some plants that seem to come in inexhaustible quantities which are being harvested by many visitors of the park not knowing that they are contributing to their destruction. Primarily, these are spring flowers like snowdrops, crocus, canine teeth, Christmas rose and anemones, especially the large anemone (Anemone sylvestris) which is even critically endangered, and is in immediate danger of extinction all over Europe.
The forests of Medvednica are a home of various species of mammals, from small rodents such as mice, rabbits, dormice and voles, to large ungulates such as deer and wild boar. In the Park, there are several kinds of beasts: wild cats, foxes, martens and weasels. Among Medvednica mammals, particularly interesting are the bats which live in the park as many as 24 species. Bird life and the world of amphibians and reptiles are also rich and varied.
Oak Galženjak
Oak Galženjak is a protected natural monument located on the historical - educational trail "Kamenjak", near the hotel "Matija Gubec" and Special Hospital Stubičke Toplice.
Oral tradition mentions a place called Galženjak (ger. Der Galgen - gallows) where the feudal lords punished their serfs by hanging.
The same name bears the centuries old oak tree on which, according to tradition, captured peasant rebels were hanged after The Great Peasant Rebellion in Stubičke Toplice, on 9 February 1573, what ended a revolt led by Matija Gubec in blood.
Yew near Horvat's steps
By the Nature Protection Act, the old yew tree at the top of Horvat's stairs on Medvednica, is protected as a natural monument - an individual tree.
It is one of the oldest specimen of its kind in Croatia. The scope of the tree is 180 cm in breast height, it is without a peak. It complements the surrounding rocky landscape with its interesting habitus.