Data taken from the book "Marija Bistrica", from author Josip Butorac,and from the book "Zaustavljeni trenuci - mostovi vremena", Elementary School of Marija Bistrica.

1209 – First written mention of Bistrica as property which the Croatian-Hungarian King Andrija II returned to count Vratislav.
At the end of the 12th century count Vratislav owned a large estate from the Sava river to the Krapina river. In 1196, the Hungarian King Mirko took power,

and in 1197 his brother Andrija took power in Croatia. As Andrija wanted independence, armed conflict between the brothers ensued. Count Vratislav joined the

rebel Andrija and King Mirko confiscated his lands and title for his unloyalty. In 1204, Andrija assumed the throne upon the death of Mirko, and Vratislav’s

lands were returned to him. On this occasion, the ruler issued a proclamation in which for the first time the settlement Bistrica was mentioned. The borders

of the feudal land returned to count Vratislav were: to the south, Laz; to the east the brook Žitomerica; the river Krapina to the north and the creek Pinja

to the west. Vratislav’s brother Kozina was awarded the neighboring estate with these borders: the creeks Bistrica, Krapina, and Pinja; and covered the

settlements Brezovec, Hum and Selnica. On the hill near Brezovec were the ruins of a mansion and the hill’s name has remained Gradine, while the noble

mansion and village at the foot of the hill have carried the name Podgrađe.
One can assume that in 1209 there was a parish, since parishes were established very quickly after the christening of Croatians and the establishment of the

Zagreb Archdiocese in 1094.

1334 – the first mention of the Bistrica parish devoted to St Peter and Paul in the list of parishes of the Zagreb Archdiocese

cca. 1545 – the Statue of the Mother of God with the baby Jesus was first located in Mary’s chapel at Viski Vrh, not far from Marija Bistrica. When the Turks

invaded all the way to Konjšćina (3 km from Vinski Vrh) the Bistrica pastor took Mary’s statue to the Bistrica church St Peter and Paul and buried it under

the choir to save it from desecration.

1588 – Father Luka noticed a strange light in the church under the choir and when he ordered digging there Mary’s statue was discovered.

1590 – the first written mention of a teacher in Marija Bistrica

1650 – Mary’s statue was walled into a window of the church in Bistrica because of a new Turkish threat.

15 July 1684 – the statue of Mary was found at the initiative of the Zagreb Bishop Martin Borković and placed upon the main altar of the St Peter and Paul

church in Bistrica. Pilgrimages have started from that point on.

1699 - Marija Bistrica had a school and teacher, but nothing has known of their activities.

20th October 1710 – The Croatian parliament decreed a national vow to raise a large altar in the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Bistrica made of wood, gilded

and painted.

1715 – The Croatian parliament donated main altar (which was removed 75 years later for unknown reasons)

1721 - The Croatian parliament built a road from Kobiljak to Laz to ease the path for pilgrims.

13th July 1731 – Bishop Juraj Branjug devoted the newly renovated church to Mary of the Snow. From then on, Bistrica was more commonly referred as Marija

Bistrica. From this year, organized Zagreb pilgimmages have been recorded.

1748 and 1753 – during the time of pastor Pavao pl. Gojmerec pastoral houses joined by a hall were built.

1749 -1868 - In Bistrica were the headquarters of the district through which the Zagreb County collected taxes and held trials.

1750 - Pope Benedikt XIV. dispensated the privilege of absolution to all pilgrims who confess and take the Eucharist in Marija Bistrica.

1756 – The Bistrica chaplain Petar Berka published  first Bistrica pilgrimage guidebook in Zagreb “Kinč osebujni orsaga Horvatskoga” (old Croatian) or “The

most beautiful ornament of Croatia”. He published the schedule of traditional pilgrimages by cities, parishes and areas.

1776 – The Bistrica school was referred to as Sekola trivialis – lower school or beginners’ school, and the teacher – ‘Instruktor’.

Around 1830 – at the time of the Illyrian renaissance the pastoral chambers of the Bistrica pastor Ivan Krizmanić was noted for hosting meetings of the

Croatian renaissance and Illyrians: count Janko Drašković, Ljudevit Gaj, Dragutin Rakovac, Ivan Kukuljevič. Vatroslav Lisinski wrote first Croatian Opera

“Love and Evil” and Stanko Vraz started writing ‘Đulabije’ here.

1848 – The municipality was established after the end of feudalism

1851 - Marija Bistrica and neighbouring settlements had 5371 residents

1852 – during the time of pastor Mirko Trumpić, the elementary school was established. Classes were held for the first 10 years in a private wooden house on

the right, entering the upper village. There was also an apartment for the teacher. The first teacher was Lovro Ježek (from 1852 to1868) born in Czech

Republic. He was both a teacher and an organist – he organised a small orchestra. The classes initial enrolment was 25 students.

1860 – fire consumed the first school called “Školnicija”.

1862 – a new school building was built (today Cultural Hall) with two classrooms and apartments for the teachers.

1862 -1872 – The Bistrica school hired an assistant for the teacher

1865 – The school in Marija Bistrica was visited by the head of the County Ivan Kukuljević

1872 – Sisters of Mercy visited Marija Bistrica and the home of Petar Lisac in the upper village

1873 – The nuns began schooling – the first teacher was sister Agneza Mesner

1873 –Josip Kirin became the next teacher in Marija Bistrica

09 September 1873 – uprising in Marija Bistrica against Hungarian signs, 3 peasants were killed, 3 wounded

1875 – Juraj Žerjavić became the pastor of Marija Bistrica

1878 -1880 – The road Kašina-Laz- Marija Bistrica was constructed

10th May 1879 –Herman Bolle’s design for a new church was accepted and construction began

1880 – Marija Bistrica got a post office

14th  August 1880 – large fire in the church under construction destroyed everything but the main altar with the statue of Mary

1881 -1882  – the church’s interior was completed

1882 -1884  –Ferdo Qiquerez painted the arcades and the large painting of Jesus in the Temple

1882 – The organ was purchased from the M. Heferer company of Zagreb

1883 – The Zagreb Archbishop and Cardinal Josip Mihalović consecrated the main altar of the Bistrica Church in honour of Mary, Mother of God

1886 – the school was divided into male/female schools since the number of students was too large. The male school remained in the same building, while the

girls’ school was relocated to the private house of Petar Lisac in the upper village.

1886 – the railway line Zagreb-Zlatar Bistrica-Varaždin-Čakovec was opened which made the pilgrimage to Marija Bistrica easier

1889– Volunteer fire brigade was established in Marija Bistrica thanks to the efforts of the teacher Josip Kirin

1891-1926 –Ivan Španović was named teacher in Marija Bistrica

1894  – a new building was constructed for the girls’ school on the location of the previous “Školničije”

1894 – the first tamburitza group in Marija Bistrica was formed

1898. –Lovro Ježek, Marija Bistrica’s frist teacher, died
1900. – The town hall was built in Marija Bistrica, by the architect Carnelutti from Zagreba

1901 – the “Vjeresijska zadruga upravne općine u Mariji Bistrici” (old Croatian: Town council of Marija Bistrica) was opened

04th May 1903– Public school in Selnici was opened

1905 and 1906 – an earthquake damaged the school and classes were suspended

1908 -1909 – a new building was added for the boys’ school with 4 classrooms and two apartments for teachers – referred to as ‘Donja škola’ (lower school)

1909 – schools in Laz and Globočec were opened

1910 -1921  –Matija pl. Penić became the pastor of Marija Bistrica

1914 -1918 – World War I, Marija Bistrica was quiet, masses were held for victory and for the dead Croatians in the Austro-Hungarian Army on all battlefields

of Europe from Galicija, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srbija and the Italian front.

1918 – with the formation of the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs and the arrival of Karađorđević on the throne new orders arrived. “Youth must develop

understanding of national unity” and celebrations of St Sava, baptisms, birthdays and name-days of the ‘Karađorđević dynasty’ were celebrated.

1920 – an uprising occured in Marija Bistrica under the Bolshevik influence of the October revolution.

08 September 1920 – The parish residence was robbed, as were Bistrica retailers, bar owners and civil servants. The robbers were caught and jailed – the

judge in the trial was Croatian poet Dragutin Domjanić

1921  – a great uprising in Marija Bistrica occured against the central rule of Belgrade - the local police required the assistance of Zagreb

04th December 1923 - pope Pious XI  proclaimed Bistrica church a basilica
At the end of the school year 1927/28 the school yearbook noted that the graduation ceremony was postponed due to the “national mourning” (the assassination

of Croatian members of parliament in Belgrade)

1929 – the soccer club “Zrinski” was formed

1931 – Marija Bistrica got water system

1931 – Marija Bistrica was visited by King Aleksandar Karađorđević and queen Marija

1932 – the sports club “Tomislav – Marija Bistrica” was formed

1933 – the school in Globočec was expanded, in 1934 it was divided into boys’ and girls’ classes

1935 – the coronation of Mary of Bistrica bythe Zagreb Archbishop Antun Bauer marked the 250th anniversary of the discovery of the statue of Mary

1938. – Marija Bistrica got electrical public lighting

1938 – the Drivers association was formed which helped all pilgrimage participants in transport to Marija Bistrica

1940 – The communist party of Yugoslavia cell in Marija Bistrica was formed

1941 – start of World War II, Marija Bistrica was held by the Ustasha forces
1941 – Florijan Papić became the Bistrica pastor

1942 – blessed Alojzije Stepinac brought Pavlin order  from Jasna Gora in Čestohova (Poland), but because of the war they were forced to leave Bistrica

quickly

1943 – the Partizan resistance in Marija Bistrica became active

26th October 1943 – Germans burned the village Laz, 22 people were killed

1943 – the unfinished frescoes of Krst Hegedušić in the Bistrica church disappeared
1943 – 4 stations of the cross were unveiled

09th May 1945 – Marija Bistrica was liberated, the last skirmish with Germans retreating towards Austrija occured, many locals died in the forced march

‘Križni put’ after the war ended

1947 – President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito visited Marija Bistrica

1947 – 1959  the school of economic was opened

1952 – the agricultural colective “Budućnost” became general collective

1952 – today’s “Tehnomehanika” began working

1952/53 cinema was opened

1953 – P.Z. Budućnost formed the work group Stolarija (eng. Carpentry) – today’s “Tehnika”

1953 – flooding in Marija Bistrica caused significant crop damage

1960 – the schools in Selnica, Poljanica and Globočec became part of the Marija Bistrica school system, the school in Laz joined one year later

01st November 1962 – classes began in the new school building beside the old building “Donja škola”

1957 – 1971 –Vinko Komerički was the parish priest of Marija Bistrica

1970 – the local school in Poljanica was closed due to too little number of pupils
Just before the XII. Marian international congress a new two story building for donfessions was built

15th August 1971 –XII Marian international congress, 150 000 pilgrimage participants

03rd December 1971 – Croatian bishops proclaimed the Mary Shrine the Croatian national Shrine of Mary of Bistrica – Queen of Croats

1971 – “Croatian Spring”  The famous “Zagorske večeri” – Croatian patriotic songs performed by celebrities, the eminance of Croatian emblems and pride was

ended with the Karađorđevo meeting

1972 –msgr  Lovro Cindori became the priest of Bistrica

1973 – Kardinal Franjo Kuharić established a committee for the adaptation of the shrine area

1974 (24th i 25th May) – the first Croatian national Marian congress

1974 – a folklore section was formed – later to become Cultural and Artistic Association “Lovro Ježek”

1977 – a new school building was put to use  on the location of the “Donja škola”

1978 –Mother Theresa and father Ante Gabrić visited Marija Bistrica

01st October 1979 – the day-care center opened its doors – thus the local school expanded its activities to pre-school

13th December 1980 – Hotel "Kaj" was opened. The owner was P.Z: "Budućnost"

1981 – first level of vocational education was opened in Marija Bistrica

1982 – 1992 – the school carried the name Elementary School “Andrija Muhek” (Spanish fighter and participant of the resistance)

1983 – first "Woodcarves colony" was organized in front of the hotel "Kaj". The initiators were hotel director Stanislav Dejak and Valentin Kunić, director

of PZ "Budućnost". First sculptors were Josip and Ivan Cikač.
 
1984 - National Eucharistic Congress – NEK`84. –400 000 pilgrimage participants attended. Fontain "The spring of water and light" with statue of Virgin Mary

was built. The author was Ante Orlić.

09th October 1984 – Fishing society "Šaran" (Carp) was founded

1987 - The Vatican determines July 13 as the feast of Mary of Bistrica (today the Town Holiday)

3rd and 4th July 1989 - the great flood in Marija Bistrica, there was significant material damage to the school

1990 – multi-party elections, victory of the Croatian Democratic Union – formation of a new government

1991 – start of the Serb aggression on Croatia, many residents participatee in the Homeland war, displaced persons and refugees arrived in Marija Bistrica

from all parts of Croatia
1991 – Nanbudo club "Marija Bistrica" was founded. The founders were TomoHrastović and Zdravko Mikuš

1992 – refugees live in hotel "Kaj"

1993 – Society for the reconstruction of Marija Bistrica and the Shrine was formed

16th April 1994 – Tourist Bord Marija Bistrica was founded

11th September 1995 – Cardinal Franjo Kuharić laid down the foundation stone for the Bistrica Carmel blessed by Pope John Paul II. during his visit to Zagreb

in 1994. The exterior od the Shrine, arcades, square with fountain, The Way of Cross street were renewed.

23rd May 1996 – Savate club "Kobra" Marija Bistrica was founded

17th December 1996 – Tourist office Marija Bistrica was opened 

03rd February 1998 – Assotiation "Croatian Woman" was founded. The first president was Katarina Zajec.

03rd October 1998 - The crowning event in Marija Bistrica – the arrival of the Pope and the beatification of A. Stepinac; the arrival of Carmel sisters to

the newly built convent

13th July 1999 -  Radio Marija Bistrica beganbroadcast

18th July 1999 – Tourist Board Marija Bistrica organized 1st Recital "Josip Ozimec". Theme of the Recital was developed by Eva Kreber, employee of Radio

Marija Bistrica. The organizers were Danica Ozimec, widow of Josip Ozimec and Josip Klapač. The both of the have founded the recital club "Heart of

Bistrica". The members of the jury were Danica Ozimec, prof. Vlasta Gmaz and prof. Marija Lamot. The art editor of antology "Došel bum v Bistricu" ("I will

come to Bistrica") was Petra Ptiček.

1999 – Tennis club "Marija Bistrica" was founded

27th December 2000 – Assotiation of winemakers of Marija Bistrica was founded. The president was prof. Zdravko Petrinec, PhD

2000 – Veterinarian Josip Klapač became the mayor of Marija Bistrica. During that time there were few trials for unfinished work on Marija Bistrica square

2001 – Football Tournament of Marija Bistrica municipality was established by Football Club "Marija Bistrica" and Radio Marija Bistrica
During the time of parish priest Mons. Lovro Cindori (1972 – 2004), who was named first rector of the Croatian nacional shrine Marija Bistrica, many

important things were done: basilica was renewed, The Way of Cros swas finished, chapel of wotive gifts was built, churh in the open was built.

13th July 2002 – The Galery of academic sculptor Pavao Hudek was opened

29th November 2002 – Poet Željka Boc, coach of Nanbudo club Marija Bistrica Zdravko Mikuš and his died in car crash

11th December 2002 – Hiking socitey "Grohot" was founded, initiator was Mirko Fulir

2003 – Polyphonic  singing group "Marija Bistrica" was founded

2003 – Assotiation of retired people was founded

26th April 2003 – Holster society "Barron Hellenbach" was founded. The president was Željko Milički

18th May 2003 – Pope John Paul II monument was unveiled. The author is Zlatko Čular

2004 – Zagreb archidiocese became the owner of hotel "Kaj" which was then named "Salve Regina"

14th February 2004 – Library of Marija Bistrica Municipality organized 1st Recital of love poetry "Željka Boc". The members of the jury were Enes Kišević,

Stanko Pavun, prof. Darko Ciglenečki, prof. Petra Ivić and prof. Đuka Francuz.

14th August 2004 - Cultural and Artistic Association "Laz" was founded

2005 – hotel "Salve Regina" was closed

28th May 2006 – Association for preservatoin of tradition, cultural heritage and customs  "Bistrica" was founded

07th July 2008 – Association "Cluster of traditional crafts of Marija Bistrica" was founded. The initiator was Marijan Ožanić of Technology Park Zagreb. The

president was Gordana Mahmet Habazin.

2009 – Academic painters E. Kokot, E. Budučin and E.B. Pinxit finished frescos in basilica

23rd July 2009 – Mirko Fulir died, president of Hiking Society "Grohot" Marija Bistrica and president of Hiking Association of Krapina Zagorje county,

founder od Walking track "For body and soul" Marija Bistrica.

15th August 2009 – The renwed hotel "Kaj" (now the part of hotel chain "Bluesun") was opened

03rd September 2009 – Sculptor Pavao Hudek died

2004 – Stjepan Muhek became the mayor of Marija Bistrica, Bsc eng.  From that year lower square in Marija Bistrica has been renewed, projects for

developement of municipal infrastructure have been done. Roads have been paved. Project for energy efficiency and protection of envirment has been made. 

Welfares have been increased, as well as grants for pupils and students. Farmers also have got subventions.

2004 – Zlatko Koren, rector of The Croatian national shrine Marija Bistrica, has reconstructed and renewed whole complex. Infrastructure in basilica, rectory

and outbuildings has been renewed. Dormitories for visiting priests have also been renewed. Chapel in Vinski Vrh and chapel of St Ladislav have been given

new look. Playground has been built next to Kalvarija hill, Kalvarija and parking under it have been paved. Thanks to donations from counties and towns,

"Zvonosvir" ("tree" with bells which ring church songs during Holy Mass) has been set.
Town of Bjelovar has donated gold plate for the statue of Virgin Mary in the Church in the open.