Private protection: Croatian traditional codpiece is hit with tourists

Elderly women make traditional woollen codpieces or ‘nakurnjaks’, which became popular tourist souvenirs, in the premises of an association preserving the art of traditional handicrafts in Licko Petrovo Selo, central Croatia. Photos: Denis LOVROVIC/ AFP

Once used to warm men's private parts during harsh winters in rural Croatia, the woollen codpiece or 'nakurnjak' is making a comeback as a popular souvenir, thanks to a handful of women preserving traditional handicrafts from oblivion.

"The nakurnjak sparks laughter, a lot of positive energy, jokes. Many (tourists) take one as a nice Christmas gift," explains Sonja Leka, a 55-year-old who runs an association of knitters preserving the old-fashioned arts in their tiny village in the central Lika region.