Licitars: A Guide to Croatia's Traditional Gingerbread Hearts

Walk through any Christmas market or festivity in northern Croatia and you will likely spot rows of gleaming red hearts hanging from wooden stalls. These are licitars — ornate gingerbread biscuits made from honey dough and painstakingly decorated with colourful icing. Far more than just a sweet treat, licitars are a symbol of love, tradition and craftsmanship that has been passed down for generations.

A Craft Steeped in History

The art of making licitars dates back centuries, with roots in the medieval guilds of Central Europe. In Croatia, the craft flourished particularly in the northern regions around Zagreb, Hrvatsko Zagorje, Međimurje and Varaždin. Skilled artisans known as medičari (from the Croatian word med, meaning honey) were respected members of their communities, producing not only licitars but also honey, mead and beeswax candles.

So central is this tradition to Croatian identity that in 2010, the licitar craft from Northern Croatia was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlights the unique knowledge, skills and rituals involved in making and giving these decorative biscuits.

From Simple Dough to Decorative Art

The basic licitar dough is surprisingly simple: flour, honey, sugar and water, sometimes with a touch of cinnamon or other spices. The mixture is kneaded, rolled and pressed into carved wooden moulds to create shapes — most famously the heart, but also birds, horses, dolls, mushrooms, horseshoes and wreaths.

After baking, the biscuits are left to dry for several days until they become hard and durable. Then comes the decoration: a shiny red glaze is applied as a base, followed by intricate piping in white, yellow, green or other colours. A small mirror is often embedded in the centre of the heart, a tradition linked to the belief that the recipient will see themselves in the giver's heart. The final result is a beautiful, long-lasting ornament that can be kept for years.

A Token of Affection for Every Occasion

Licitars are not meant to be eaten immediately — in fact, they are usually too hard to bite into comfortably. Instead, they are given as gifts to express love, friendship or gratitude. They are a staple at fairs, weddings, christenings and especially around St. Valentine's Day and Christmas. Young men traditionally presented decorated hearts to their sweethearts, and the practice continues today in a more commercial form.

The heart shape remains the most iconic, but other moulds carry meanings too: a horseshoe for good luck, a baby doll for a newborn, or a bird as a symbol of spring and new beginnings. The colours and patterns often vary by region and by the individual artisan's style.

Finding Licitars in Croatia

If you want to see licitars up close, visit the open-air markets and souvenir shops in Zagreb, especially around the main square and the Upper Town. You will also find them at local fairs and festivals throughout northern Croatia, particularly during Advent. While many licitars today are mass-produced, small family workshops still keep the traditional methods alive, and some offer demonstrations or workshops where visitors can try their hand at decorating.

Whether you choose a simple red heart or an elaborately piped design, taking home a licitar is a wonderful way to carry a piece of Croatian heritage with you — and a sweet reminder of the country's enduring folk traditions.