Just 17 km from the Vinbreg Holiday Homes or a 20-minute drive by car, you will find the Opeka Arboretum in Marčan, near Vinica. Its beauty and richness rank it among the top three most important arboretums in Croatia. It covers 64 hectares and belongs to English-style parks. The park contains more than 180 different plant species with a total of 14,000 specimens of trees, shrubs, climbers, and flowers.
In the form we know it today, the Opeka Arboretum was created in the mid-19th century thanks to Count Marko Bombelles who, after the death of Count Franjo Drašković, came into possession of the castle located in the park. Opeka is a romantic park around the castle of the same name (currently under renovation), and due to its exceptional aesthetic value and dendrological diversity, it cannot be compared to any other park near castles.
The trees and shrubs come from different parts of the world, most of which Count Marko Bombelles brought from his numerous travels. He brought seedlings from Japan, China, Tibet, the Caucasus, North America, and Europe, and with the help of Viennese horticultural architects, he transformed the park into an arboretum with rare plant species. Over the following years, the park was expanded and complemented with new plant species from around the world. In the park, there are several benches made of 19th-century stone.
The current look of the arboretum dates back to the early 20th century. The castle and park were not damaged in World War II. Members of the Bombelles family took good care of and maintained the arboretum until it was nationalized in 1945.
Here are some interesting facts related to the Bombelles noble family. Count Marko Bombelles lived in Vinica for 37 years, until the death of his brother Charles Albert. He inherited a significant fortune and a Hungarian earldom from his brother. He moved to Vienna, leaving the estate to his son Count Marko Bombelles the Younger and his daughters Klotilda and Sofia. Marko Bombelles the Younger brought the first car (Benz brand) to Zagreb and continental Croatia. He was responsible for the cultural and economic development of his region. He was a great benefactor and Croatian patriot. Among the numerous economic activities he was involved in, it is worth mentioning that he produced the first sparkling wine, and he exported high-quality white pinot throughout the then European capitals.
Entry to the arboretum is free of charge.