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Zinke Villa

Revival of Zinka Villa

The Terme Lipik Project has revived the tourist potential of Zinke Villa, through the construction of the Interpretation Centre of Thermal Springs Heritage of the town of Lipik, the Villa of Good Water. The Villa of Good Water celebrates the local culture of aquatherapy through a modern and enticing interpretation and presentation, conveying the story of the identity, tradition and uniqueness of Lipik. The Interpretation Centre gathers and keeps collections of items related to the thermal heritage of Lipik, the Lipizzaner stud farm, glass production and water bottling plant.

On the ground floor of the Villa of Good Water there will be an entrance area with a souvenir shop, offices for employees, a coffee bar and a themed children’s playroom. In the basement and on the first floor there are two permanent museum exhibitions: “The World in a Drop of Water” and “The Golden Age of Lipik”.

Through five interactive exhibits “The world in a drop of water” tells the story of water – what it is and how it is formed and how thermal waters are formed; visitors can learn about water circulation in nature, the impact of water on man and nature, and different states of matter and movements of water. The majority of exhibits are multi-sensory installations that invite visitors to interact and learn, and are displayed through the state-of-the-art multimedia and IT solutions.

Exhibitions, art installations and much more

On the other hand, the exhibition “Golden Age of Lipik” is an open space in which the scenography and art installations depicting Lipik in the 19th century will be displayed. The emphasis in this art exhibition is on the historical presentation of the city in the context of its thermal heritage, from prehistory, antiquity and the Middle Ages, through the first rulers of the Lipik region who valorised Lipik’s thermal water, to the cultural growth of Lipik as a tourist centre in the pre-war Europe of the 20th century.

The art exhibition comprises nine interactive exhibits that will create new experiences for visitors. The specific landscape of the public garden, which was the focal point of the entire Lipik – Wandelbahn, will serve as the initial scenography. Walking through it, visitors will be able to enjoy a virtual 19-century train ride, get an old-fashioned photo of an authentic photographer from the same period, learn about the history of Lipik, visit Kursalon and try gambling, dancing or playing, take a carriage ride through Lipik and much more.

On the second floor there is a multifunctional hall of 345 square meters. It is intended for a wide range of events such as presentations, workshops, concerts, plays, exhibitions and art residencies. The capacity of the hall is 100 to 120 seats, and the facility will be fully adapted to people with reduced mobility and with hearing and visual impairments.

A modern Thermal Heritage Interpretation Center has been built - A Gateway to the City's "Golden Age"

In the heart of Lipik, known for its rich thermal heritage, a new gem has emerged – the “Vila dobre vode” Thermal Heritage Interpretation Center. Located in the renovated Villa Zinke, this center represents a fusion of history and modern technology, offering visitors a unique experience of immersing themselves in Lipik’s rich past.

The Villa Zinke revitalization project, successfully realized thanks to the dedicated work of an entire team of experts, has restored this architectural gem to its former glory. “Vila dobre vode” will celebrate the culture of water healing through innovative interpretation and presentation, preserving the identity, tradition and uniqueness of Lipik. In addition to museum exhibits, the center will offer other amenities, such as a souvenir shop, a café bar and a themed children’s playground, making it an ideal place for a family visit.

“This project represents an important step in preserving our cultural heritage and promoting Lipik as a tourist destination,” said Veronika Prhal, Head of the Unified Administrative Department of the City of Lipik. “I thank the entire project team for their professional and dedicated work. We are happy that the construction of the building is complete.”

The opening of the “Vila dobre vode” Interpretation Center is expected at the beginning of the year, and it is already generating great public interest. With its rich content and modern approach, this center will become an unmissable point for all visitors to Lipik, and the wider region.

Project designers:

Stjepan Lončarić, B.Sc.Arch. – Lončarić-Planić Ltd., Zagreb Ivica Leder, B.Sc.Arch – Arhitektura Leder Ltd., Velika Gorica Dragana Lucija Ratković Aydemir – Muze Ltd., Zagreb Jelena Devčić, B.A.Journ., Valentino Dražić Celić – Kocka 26, Šibenik Zlatko Jelačić – Smart AudioVisual Ltd. Zagreb

Construction contractors:

HM PATRIA Ltd., Zagreb
Presoflex gradnja Ltd., Požega
Reliance Ltd., Split

Supervision of works:

Design supervision: Ivica Leder, B.Sc.Arch. – Arhitektura Leder Ltd., Velika Gorica

Professional supervision: SB INVEST Ltd., Slavonski Brod; IVNE GRAĐEVINA Ltd., Zagreb

Supervision of furnishing and content implementation in Vila dobre vode: Jelena Devčić, B.A.Journ. – Ivictus consulting Ltd., Šibenik

Project status:

Construction works started on May 4, 2017, when the building’s basement was constructed. The continuation of works started in March 2021. The construction works on the building were fully completed on September 13, 2024.

Current status:

The final furnishing of the building is in progress.