The Halubje bell ringers — known locally as zvončari — are a winter folk custom from the Kastav region of the Kvarner hinterland, recognized by UNESCO on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2009. The tradition involves groups of men wearing sheepskin costumes and massive cowbells, marching through villages between Epiphany and Shrove Tuesday to drive away winter and evil spirits. Croatia has drawn on this recognition repeatedly for collector coinage, positioning its intangible heritage designations as a coherent numismatic programme since euro adoption in 2023.
The .9999 fineness is notable — finer than the .925 used in most European commemorative silver issues.
The Halubje bell ringers — known locally as zvončari — are a winter folk custom from the Kastav region of the Kvarner hinterland, recognized by UNESCO on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2009. The tradition involves groups of men wearing sheepskin costumes and massive cowbells, marching through villages between Epiphany and Shrove Tuesday to drive away winter and evil spirits. Croatia has drawn on this recognition repeatedly for collector coinage, positioning its intangible heritage designations as a coherent numismatic programme since euro adoption in 2023.
The .9999 fineness is notable — finer than the .925 used in most European commemorative silver issues.