Licitar is much more than a colourful cookie made of honey dough - it is a living monument of Croatian tradition, a true art that is preserved and passed down from generation to generation in the circle of beeswax families in northwestern Croatia. Its story, seasoned with secret recipes, handwork, and rich symbolism, has its roots in ancient times, and today, it has become one of the most recognisable souvenirs of this region. A visit to Valentina Gladović Nedić, the guardian of this heritage in Klenovnik, a village not far from Lepoglava, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Licitar.
The Gladović family has been making licitars since 1939, and Valentina and her children continue that tradition today with equal love and dedication. Valentina welcomes us with a broad smile and guides us through her workspace, where every detail exudes history and tradition. "I was born in the workshop, and I grew up at the stand," he says with a smile, recalling how the craft of beeswax was the heart of every church holiday and gathering. As a confectioner and cook, she worked at the Klenovnik hospital, located in the largest castle in Croatia, and today, she is one of the few in the Lepoglava region who practices medicine and confectionery.
Licitars have always been associated with church festivities, and today they are significantly related to the Marian shrine of Marija Bistrica. With simple ingredients such as flour, water, sugar, and ammonia-bicarbonate, Licitars are shaped with molds, baked, and then dried. However, the real magic begins in the decorating phase – the red colour, so recognisable for licatari, is applied with precision, and after drying, it is adorned with decorations into yellow, white, green, pink, and blue. Valentina, with a masterful hand and a lot of imagination, creates real little masterpieces - licitars in the shape of hearts, horses, babies, or angels.
A fascinating detail on the gingerbread hearts is a little mirror, which is not just a decoration. It symbolizes the depth of the person's soul giving the heart, making this gift even more special. Giving a gingerbread heart, with which a young man expresses his affection and love to a young woman, is deeply rooted in Croatian traditional culture.
Young people got to know each other at religious festivals and even arranged weddings. At these celebrations, boys bought horses, girls bought babies, and slightly older people bought hearts. The licitar heart was a sign of love and serious intention. When a young man presented a girl with a gingerbread heart, everyone knew that love was in the air - and curious neighbours would make sure that the news of the proposal went around the whole village.
Today, Valentina's work is recognized in Zagorje and beyond because licitar has become a symbol of Croatian hospitality and cordiality. They decorate Christmas trees, are given as a sign of attention and love, and many tourists take gingerbread with them from Croatia as a souvenir.
A visit to Valentina Gladović Nedić in Klenovnik is not only an encounter with tradition but also with passion and dedication passed down through the generations. Through licitar, everyone can taste a part of Croatia's rich cultural heritage, and the sweet gingerbread that Valentina shares with her guests leaves a lasting impression on the palate - and the heart.
Licitarstvo Slavica
Klenovnik 11, Klenovnik
+385 98 913 1670
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