Days of Rudarska Greblica

The Cultural and Artistic Society "Oštrc" is organizing the Days of Rudarska Greblica in Rude, July 4th and 5th, 2026.

Rudarska greblica is a savory cheese and walnut cake whose tradition dates back to the 19th century, when for the locals of Rude near Samobor, who worked in copper and iron mines, this cake was often the only meal during a hard day's work. In 2007, the preparation of the cake was declared an intangible cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia, and in 2021, mining greblica became the 29th Croatian product with a protected name in the European Union and the first protected gastronomic product in Zagreb County. "Rudarska greblica" (ZOZP) is a prime example of how to create something delicious and complex from something simple, which was once associated with poor miners. The preparation of this cake is linked to the history of mining in Rude, as it was a common meal for miners, and over time it developed into a savory cake named after the traditional wooden tool greblica.

“Rudarska greblica” (ZOZP) is a product made from baked, hand-rolled, thin dough and filled with a filling of fresh cow's cheese. Ground walnuts, spinach, Swiss chard, nettle, leek, mint and grated yellow carrots can be added to the fresh cow's cheese. After baking, it is cut into rectangular pieces no more than 2.5 cm high. The outer texture is soft, while the interior is juicy and creamy, melting in the mouth when eaten. The crust is dark yellow to golden. The taste on the palate leaves a salty taste with a cow's cheese aroma. It can be eaten just a few minutes after baking. It is ideal to try it at the Days of Rudarska greblica, an event dedicated to it.

The protection of the product name "Rudarska greblica" (PDO) is based on the reputation, tradition of production and skill of its preparation, which are passed down from generation to generation. Thanks to the protection, "Rudarska greblica" (PDO) now enjoys its reputation throughout the European Union, but can be produced exclusively in Ruda and the surrounding villages. The method of preparation, recipe and final appearance must be in accordance with the prescribed and protected rules of the Product Specification published on the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Commission. "Rudarska greblica" (PDO) is available to customers at Pekarnica Nikl in Ruda and Samobor, and in Zagreb in certain specialized health and home food stores. Since Pekarnica Nikl is the only certified producer of "Rudarska greblica" (PDO), the customer will recognize the product with the protected name by the symbol for the protected geographical indication, which is unique for the entire European Union and must be displayed on the product declaration or on the packaging itself.

Saturday begins with the Bike to the Greblica program at 2:00 PM in front of the Samobor Museum (in collaboration with BBK Šišmiš from Samobor) and continues with the Children's Greblica, which will be held in front of the St. Barbara Mine. Children will be able to participate in a workshop where they will bake their first Greblica, paint canvas bags, make ceramic plates for Greblica, participate in the work of the blacksmith, and there will also be a workshop on making "paper roses". The Poco Loco Theater will be in Rude from 4 PM with the play "Centen Goga", and Martina Štengl Šoić will reveal who steals the Greblica in a story about the legend of the Bergmans.

The evening program at 9 PM will feature Čipkice and Matej Mudrovčić Mudri.

On Sunday, at the playground in the center of Rude, from 5:30 PM, the 3rd International Folklore Festival "Rudarska luč" will be held. The festival features folk ensembles from Italy, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia. At 8 pm, the best cheese and walnut greblica will be announced. Anyone interested can bring their greblica to the handball court in Protvan between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. The Loco group will perform in the entertainment part of the program. The exhibition in the park in front of the Samobor Museum is dedicated to the Days of the Miner's Greblica.