Čazma

Čazma is a small town in the Moslavina region of Central Croatia, east of Zagreb and about 30 km southwest of Bjelovar. Its main attractions include a medieval church, archaeological remains and countryside walks. The surrounding villages offer rural accommodation, while nearby Grabovnica is known for the Salaj family's seasonal Christmas lights.

Čazma developed as an ecclesiastical and administrative centre during the Middle Ages. The area appears in records associated with the establishment of the Zagreb bishopric in the late 11th century. In 1232, Bishop Stephen II established the Čazma Chapter, which also authenticated legal documents. The Church of St Mary Magdalene and the remains of the bishop's fortified residence recall this period.

The Ottomans captured Čazma in 1552. Following destruction and depopulation during the frontier wars, the settlement was rebuilt as part of the Military Frontier. It returned to civilian administration in 1871.

The town proper had about 2,400 inhabitants in the 2021 census. The wider administrative area includes numerous surrounding villages, so an attraction or accommodation described as being in Čazma may be several kilometres from the centre.

• Čazma Tourist Board, Ulica kralja Tomislava 3, ☏ +385 43 772 086, info@tz-cazma.hr. Information about local attractions, events, walking routes and rural accommodation. 

Čazmatrans operates services connecting Čazma with Zagreb and other towns in the region. Check the Čazmatrans website for departures on your travel date, fares and journey times. Check the return service before planning a day trip.

• Čazma bus station (Autobusni kolodvor Čazma), Milana Novačića 10, ☏ +385 43 277 255. Information about local and intercity bus departures. 

Čazma has no railway station. Rail travel must be combined with onward road transport. Depending on your starting point, stations such as Ivanić-Grad or Bjelovar may be useful, but check the onward bus connection or arrange a transfer before travelling. Train timetables are available from HŽ Passenger Transport.

From Zagreb, take the A3 motorway east towards Slavonski Brod, leave at Ivanić-Grad and follow the D43 towards Čazma. Allow around an hour from Zagreb, depending on your starting point and traffic.

From Bjelovar, follow the D43 southwest. The journey takes about half an hour.

The D26 connects Čazma with Dubrava to the northwest and Garešnica to the southeast. Travellers arriving from Slavonia can approach via Garešnica, depending on their starting point.

The nearest major airport is Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG). From the airport, hire a car or travel into Zagreb and continue by bus to Čazma. Compare connections before choosing public transport, as the journey involves a transfer.

The centre is compact and can be explored on foot. The church, museum and archaeological site are close to Trg Čazmanskog kaptola.

A car is useful for visiting Grabovnica, rural accommodation and the Moslavina hills. Cycling is another option for the surrounding countryside, although routes may use roads shared with motor traffic.

• Church of St Mary Magdalene (Crkva svete Marije Magdalene), Trg Čazmanskog kaptola. A 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic church with twin towers and a prominent rose window. Its interior includes furnishings from later Baroque alterations. It remains an active parish church; sightseeing should take place outside services. 

• Čazma City Museum (Gradski muzej Čazma), Trg Čazmanskog kaptola 13, ☏ +385 43 771 037, info@muzejcazma.eu. M–F 11:00–16:00; visits outside these hours by prior arrangement. Local archaeology, ethnography, history and art collections. Contact the museum about current exhibitions and access to its displays. 

• Gradina archaeological site, Trg Čazmanskog kaptola. Remains of the medieval fortified residence of the bishops of Zagreb. The site also contains a Second World War memorial ossuary decorated with a mosaic by Croatian artist Edo Murtić. 

• Walking and cycling. Explore the Česma valley and the wooded slopes of Moslavačka gora. Ask the tourist board for route information and current access conditions before setting out. 

• Medjame nature walkway. A wetland walkway near the town centre. As of October 2026, the tourist board lists it as closed for maintenance; check whether it has reopened before visiting. 

• Biopark Čazma (Biološko kupalište). An outdoor swimming facility using biological water treatment. Check seasonal opening dates, admission prices and operating conditions with the tourist board before travelling. 

• Salaj Christmas lights (Čarolija svjetla Salaj), Grabovnica. A seasonal Christmas light display on the Salaj family estate outside Čazma. Check the dates, opening hours and ticket arrangements for the current season. 

Regional products include honey, farm produce and wine from Moslavina. Škrlet is a local white grape variety. Ask the tourist board about producers offering direct sales and whether visits require an appointment.

Local menus include continental Croatian dishes, meat dishes and cakes. Rural dining may require advance booking.

• Gostionica i kavana Ana, Ulica kralja Tomislava 10c, ☏ +385 43 771 909. Central restaurant and café serving traditional dishes, cakes and other desserts. 

• Pizzeria Fokus, Ulica braće Radića 5, ☏ +385 43 771 755. Pizza and other cooked dishes. 

Cafés in and around the centre serve coffee and other drinks.

Moslavina produces white wines including škrlet, graševina and riesling. Contact wineries in advance to arrange tastings.

Accommodation includes self-catering apartments in town and holiday houses in the surrounding villages. Check the exact location when booking, particularly if travelling without a car.

• Apartman Infinity, Trg Čazmanskog kaptola 6, ☏ +385 98 962 6758. Self-catering apartment in the centre, accommodating up to four guests. 

• Apartman Lea, Milana Novačića 7, ☏ +385 98 193 3688. Apartment with a kitchen, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and parking. 

The tourist board maintains a list of accommodation, including rural holiday houses.

• Bjelovar — about 30 km northeast, with a planned historic centre, a central park and the Cathedral of St Teresa of Ávila.
• Daruvar — a spa town east of Čazma, with thermal bathing facilities, Julije's Park and historic buildings.
• Zagreb — Croatia's capital, west of Čazma, with museums, historic neighbourhoods and a wider choice of restaurants and nightlife.
• Varaždin — a town to the northwest known for its Baroque centre and Old Town castle.