"Well, I've been posting about my home - Croatia - here on Steemit for a while now, and just realized I never told you about my absolute favorite place! What better time to do it than right now? Here it goes..."
Today's article is a post by @Vesnapv because she won the Tuesday spot on my blog by winning the Minnow Support Saturday Contest! Vesnapv will receive 50% of the payouts.
Medvednica Mountain
I live in Croatia's capital city, Zagreb.
North of the city there is a mountain called Medvednica. It's been protecting the locals from cold northern winds since they founded first villages at the foot of the mountain, about a thousand years ago.
Unfortunately, the wind wasn't the only threat from the north. Invasion of Tatars left these villages raided and devastated, so in 1254 a medieval castle was built on Medvednica mountain.
Medvedgrad Castle
Castle Medvedgrad has such a perfect location, that you can see it from anywhere in the downtown Zagreb. Of course, when you climb up there, the view of the city is spectacular!
Because of it's strategic position and quality built, the castle was never attacked.
It was, however, constantly the center of proprietary and political turmoil. So much so, that it changed 107 owners. But none of them more famous or more notorious than the Countess Barbara of Celje, better known as The Black Queen We still talk about her today. There's even a popular craft beer named after her!
Veternica Cave
Another tourist attraction of Medvednica Mountain is Veternica Cave.
It used to be a shelter to many animals extinct long ago that left their traces and remains, such as cave lion, leopard, cave hyena, giant deer, and of course - the cave bear.
Have you noticed the same letters in the names of Medvednica Mountain, and Medvedgrad Castle? (woot-woot! extra super brownie points for those of you who noticed!)
"Medvjed" is a Croatian word for a bear. There used to be A LOT of bears on Medvednica, hence the name.
Today, Veternica Cave is home to bats.
Out of 45 bat species that live in Europe, 18 of them live in Veternica Cave!
All bat species in Croatia are protected by law; therefore, it is forbidden to disturb them. That's why you can't visit Veternica between October and April, so you won't bother them while they're sleeping.
You can, however, adopt a bat. For about $25 you can name a bat, and get all kinds of goodies as a proud new bat-owner. Along with knowing you're helping protecting them.
I Saved the Best for Last
The highest peak of the Medvednica Mountain - Sljeme - is just over a thousand meters high (over 3K feet). It's about 2-hour long hike to get there.
Back when I was a student, hiking to Sljeme was my favorite way to spend a weekend outdoors. And, I wasn't the only one! Many, many locals hike up the Medvednica Mountain all year round.
The entire mountain is covered by incredibly lush forest. And since Croatia has four seasons, the forest changes all the time.
At springtime, there are new creeks surfacing everywhere. In the summer the forest is cool and fresh, a complete opposite to the heated city.
At fall the colors of the leaves change daily until they all fall off the branches and cover the entire forest floor with a bronze carpet. Then winter brings white snow, chilled air and red-cheeked people sledding, boarding and skiing at the top.
Biggest Desire of All
It's been years since I last saw that forest. Rheumatoid Arthritis is making it excruciatingly hard for me to even cross the street without a cane. Climbing a mountain is impossible.
But... I believe it won't last forever. I've been told it will only progress with time, until I end up in a wheelchair. But - my pain is no longer present 24/7, only when I walk.
I've been told 5 of my joints need to be surgically replaced with artificial ones. But - my joints improved in mobility since then, and I have no intention of separating for them.
I've been told that my condition is incurable. Irreversible. Forever. But - I KNOW I will be hiking again.
No rational reason why. I just know. This is my biggest desire. And one day, on my way up to Medvednica Mountain peek, I'll look back and wonder: "Was it all just a bad dream?
"Yeah. All gone now!"
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