Slavonia Craft Beer and Cultural Heritage

including Piedmont, the Rhòne Valley, Bordeaux, and Oregon.

While the Belje Winery cellar is the biggest in the country, the Kutjevo cellar - dating back to 1232 - is the oldest, not only in Croatia, but in the entire Southeast Europe. It was built by the Cistercians in one of Croatia's top wine-producing towns, renowned for its south-facing vineyards, situated along the 45.3 parallel - the same latitude that connects some of the world's most famous wine regions,

Slavonia boasts the most awarded Croatian winery, Iločki podrumi, where wine is still kept in the old 15th- and 18th-century cellars. Their history is intertwined with the Italian princely family Odescalchi, who planted the first Traminer vines on the hills surrounding Syrmia, and built a country estate with a beautiful summer house in the wine-growing region of Principovac. It can be reached by the wine road leading from the center of Ilok, which passes by a dozen famous Croatian wineries.

The largest vineyard plantation in Croatia covers 490 hectares and is owned by the Erdutski vinogradi vineyards. It was planted on the gentle slopes of the Dalj Mountain, where the Danube meanders around Erdut on three sides, creating a beautiful wine peninsula. 11

A Brief Guide to Slavonia's Craft Beer Scene

You have probably already heard that beer production was discovered by accident, but what you might not know is that it happened precisely in Slavonia, around five thousand years ago. This was the era of the Vučedol culture, centerd a mere five kilometres from Vukovar.

It is well-established that beer has been brewed here for centuries, with a rich tradition going back to the 17th century when Osijek brewers began their craft. They laid the groundwork for Osijek Brewery, the oldest in Croatia. Today, the town is home to a vibrant beer scene, featuring several tasting rooms and craft breweries like Beckers and "Unfiltered" Osijek Beer.

Some of the more daring Slavonians left for other cities and towns to bring their homemade products to the market. They have attracted all those who like experimenting with hop aromas and scents, fruits and spices, bringing life to the Slavonian craft beer scene in recent years.

Brewing in Slavonia bas always been a DIY affair, confined to basements, garages, farms.. The bomebrewing record is bheld by Kitišanci, a village outside the town of Belišće, wbere apparently one in 75 inbabitants brew their own beer.

The Bošnjak brewery in Nova Gradiška is a pioneer of the Croatian craft beer revolution. One of the most popular craft beers in Croatia is produced there, according to a Czech recipe. The craft brewery in Vinkovci was named after Valens, who was the only ancient Roman emperor born on Croatian soil - in the Roman settlement Cibalae - along with his brother Valentinian. The name is no coincidence. Unlilke his brother, who was praised for his military prowess, Valens was known for his love of beer, hence the nickname sabaiarius or "beer belly". The town of Županja produces Hepburn, a beer dedicated to the English family who built a tannin factory there in the 19th century, and brought tennis and the first football to Croatia. Dakovo is renowned for the Black Hat craft brewery,

Pleternica for the Franz brewery and its Josef beer, Pakrac for the Grof, Grofica, and Carica (Count, Countess, and Empress) beers, Kaptol for the Kneževsko beer, Slavonski Brod for the Popster brewery, Pitomača for the light and dark Pitko beers, and the famous Vukovarsko is widely accepted as a craft beer, although it is actually commercially manufactured.

If you are a true beer enthusiast, you will not want to miss homebrew events such as Pijana čaplja in Slavonski Brod and Hombre in Osijek. Also, make sure to visit these two exciting beer festivals - the Osijek Craft Beer Festival in May and the Slavonski Brod Beer Fair in November, with plenty of tasting opportunities and a radiant energy that is able to attract even the beer sceptics. 11

Slavonia Gourmet | For the Beer Lovers

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Ljelje from Gorjani

The village of Gorjani still tells the story of a time when its women saved the village. During the Ottoman invasion, all of the men were captured, so women dressed in colourful clothes, put men's hats with flowers on their heads and came to the Ottoman camp with scythes, sickles and sabres. Mistaking them for ghosts, the Ottomans fled, and in honour of this unusual victory, the women of Gorjani hold an annual procession in the village on Pentecost Sunday.

They are dressed in rich traditional follk costumes, and divided into two groups - queens, or ljelje, and twice as many kings. The queens resemble brides with their heads covered in white wreaths, while the kings carry sabres and wear hats with flowers on them, much like in the legend. After Sunday mass, the ljelje and their kings dance in a circle (the traditional kolo) in the center of

1 Ljelje girls from Gorjani | IVo PERVAN | 2 Follk costume, Bapska | IVo PERVAN | 3 Folk costume, Donja Bebrina | IVo PERVAN | 4 Ljelje girls from Gorjani I IVo BIočINA
5 Becari singers from Slavonia I DAVOR ROsTUHAR | 6 Bagpipe players (gajdasi) from Slavonia I DAVOR ROsTUHAR | 7 Dakovački vezovi Festival | IVO BIOčINA

the village, followed by visits to all of the houses. People welcome them and offer them food and drink. After the traditional songs, mostly dedicated to young men and women or a young bride, the kings perform a sabre dance, accompanied by bagpipes (or gajde) and the jelje. This goes on for two days, until all the houses and neighbouring villages have been visited. Each visit is finished with a follk dance, in which the hosts often take part.

Although it is easy to believe all of these Slavonian stories and legends, especially when they are told enthusiastically, with lots of good food, singing and dancing, more pragmatic ethnologists will tell you that this wonderful custom from Gorjani actually predates Christianity. It is based around the story of Ljelja and Ljeljo, the lost children of the highest god in old Slavic mythology, Perun. This interpretation is supported by the

Beéaruša od glave do pete, Slavonijo, ja sam tvoje dijete (I'm a wild thing through and through, oh, Slavonia, I love you)

A treasure trove of customs and traditions, beautiful national folk costumes, bagpipe and tamburica players, old crafts, Dakovački vezovi and Vinkovačke jeseni festivals- Only in Slavonia will you be able to experience such diverse folk beritage.

It is still discussed in literary studies today as a unique example of 19th-century follk poetry. It has been studied by experts, including ethnologists, folklorists, philologists, sociologists, and musicologists. This traditional Slavonian song, often satirical, romantic, or erotic in content, was considered quite shocking to the rest of the world at the time.

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UNESCO

Although it may seem that this type of traditional folk song, called beéarac, has always been a part of Slavonia, it actually emerged in late 19th century, when the Ottomans were banished, and the Military Frontier (Vojna krajina), a borderland of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was abolished. The witty decasyllable verses praise the subject's personality and beauty, and they are usually sung by two or more singers in the form of shouting back and forth. It is usually accompanied by an instrument - once by bagpipes (gajde) or the string instrument samica, now mostly by tamburica.

In the past, it was usually sung by becari, young bachelors, drunks and jolly fellows prone to drinking and chasing women. Older people will look fondly on the old days and tell you that the real becar does not exist anymore - the only thing that is left is the song they used to sing, the becarac. Deeply woven into Slavonian tradition, it represents a key ingredient for a good time; the following verses simply cannot be avoided at a party: "Kad becari šorom zapivaju pendzeri se širom otvaraju" (When the becari come singing down the street, windows open to show everyone they could greet), "Bećari se ne Ženiju mladi, beéaruju dok im ne dosadi" (Beéari are never quick to settle down, they would much rather go to town), "Svaka cura voli tamburaša, a berdaša i cura i snaša" (Every gal likes a tamburica player, but when a berdaš comes around, he will not bave a prayer)..

Pleternica has turned this unique song into a distinctive brand. This town not only embraces the becarac, but has also established the only multimedia Interpretation Center dedicated to it in Slavonia, the Becarac Museum, along with a modern central town square. Babina Greda has created a popular festival, Becarfest, in its honor, and no visit to Slavonia is complete without hearing at least one beéarac. Its cultural significance was recognized by UNESCO in 2011, when it was added to the list of the world's intangible cultural heritage. 11

Dalkovo and Lipik

They are born completely black, and then gradually become lighter. When they reach the age of 8-10, they become light grey, almost white, and only a rare few remain black. This is the story of the magnificent Lipizzaner horses. Although they owe their name to the Slovenian village Lipica, the root of the word is reminiscent of Lipik, a small Slavonian town known for the State Stud Farm, founded in 1938. However, the Lipizzaner horse became a distinct symbol of Lipilk and its biggest tourist attraction even earlier, in 1843, when Count Izidor Janković built the first stables there. The Lipizzaner and Marten Trail (Staza lipicanaca i kune), which connects Lipilk and Pakrac, is around a hundred kilometres long, and its beautiful nature attracts a lot of horse riders, cyclists and hikers.

Slavonia has one of the oldest stud farms in Europe. The State Stud Farm in Dakovo was founded a long time ago, in 1506, and has been used as a Lipizzaner farm since the beginning of the 19th century. In addition to the Stallion Station in the center of town, they are also bred in Ivandvor, a few kilometres from Dakovo. The Stallion Station includes the largest indoor riding hall in Croatia, which hosts horse jumping, harness racing and dressage competitions and shows.

When Queen Elizabeth II saw a four-in-hand drawn by Dakovo Lipizzaners at the opening of the Munich Olympics, she was so impressed that she visited the Dakovo National Lipizzan Stud Farm with her family in October 1972, and simply had to take a carriage ride through the town. History repeated itself in 2016, when the then-Prince and now-King Charles III and his wife Camilla visited Croatia, stopping by the stallion farm in the heart of Dakovo and the nearby Ivandvor farm.

Slavonians consider the Lipizzaner horses to be much more than mere working animals - they are a sign of prestige and a reflection of the estate they are bred on. Decorated and proud, these magnificent animals are part of nearly every traditional ceremony and festival in Slavonia. Since 2022, the multinational tradition of Lipizzaner breeding has been recognized as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 11

Explore Slavonia UNESCO

Explore Slavonia Lipizzaner State Stud Farm

Pejačević Castle on the "Noble Families Route" in Virovitica

Historians will research family trees, architects will loolk at forms and use of landscape, ethnologists will explore customs and culture, artists will seek inspiration, and regular tourists will simply enjoy the legends, the culinary experience, and the beauty and harmony of nature. Regardless of your affinities, the "Noble Families Route" (Plemicka ruta) will reveal some of the most beautiful parts of the Virovitica area. It connects the summerhouse of Count Drašković from the 19th century in the village of Noskovci, known today as the "Drava Story" (Dravska prica), the beautiful excursion site Višnjica Wold near the town of Slatina, Janković Castle in Suhopolje, Janković Manor in Kapela Dvor, and the splendid Pejačević Castle in Virovitica.

The Janković Manor in Kapela Dvor is situated seven kilometres north of the town of Virovitica, and is a perfect spot for modern tourists looking for an original

experience. This former country estate and hunting lodge, belonging to the Janković family from Suhopolje, is now a 4-star heritage hotel.

It seems that the Suhopolje castle was not up to standard when it comes to European tastes at the time, as evidenced by the story of a Hungarian noblewoman who turned down the marriage proposal of Count Elemir Janković because she did not lilke his estate. Although the count subsequently expanded the castle and planted gardens around it, it was not meant to be. In the meantime, the count took a lilking to Ika, the daughter of the steward of his estate, who

would later become his wife. The renovated castle in Suhopolje is now a Visitor Centre that has 15 rooms. Behind its mid-18th-century façade lie all the wonders of stateof-the-art technology - a multimedia showroom, 5D cinema, and a creative lab.

Whichever road you talke, the "Noble Families Route" will take you to the heart of Virovitica, to the beautiful Pejačević Castle built in early 19th century. Even though

Even though the "Noble Families Route" is a themed trail in the Virovitica area, it could easily be expanded to cover the entire Slavonian region, given the number of manors and castles.

it was owned by the German princely family Schaumburg-Lippe, and later on by the Croatian Count Drašković, it was actually named after its original owners and builders. The Pejačevic family was very influential and spent quite a lot of time at the Habsburg court. While researching a medieval fort underneath the castle, archaeologists discovered a secret passageway that led to the Count's chambers, which still stirs the imagination of tourist guides. 11

From Našice and Valpovo to Donji Miholjac

She was once called the "Princess of Našice", her father and grandfather bore the high-ranking title of Croatian ban, and her mother and grandmother loved the arts. The composer Dora Pejačević kept coming back to Našice her entire life. This is where her ancestors, from the same bloodline as the Pejačević family in Virovitica, built their castle in 1812, only a hundred yards away from where her brother would build his smaller, Neoclassicist estate at the beginning of )

the 20th century. The large and small castles, as they are known in Našice, still form the focal point of the same town park where Dora sought inspiration for her music.

The town of Valpovo also has a castle - one of the largest in Croatia, in fact. The Prandau-Norman is a unique medieval and Baroque complex built in the first half of the 18th century, which has since been renovated. Valpovo still tells the story of the "White Lady", covering the events from the 19th century, when the ghost of a girl haunted a young first lieutenant called Kuschmann, a guest of Baron Prandau.

On the remnants of the Cistercian abbey of Vallis Honesta de Gotho in Kutjevo, from the 13th century, the Jesuit Order built a grand castle in the Baroque style in the 18th century, wbich was at the beight of its glory during the time of the Turkovié family.

While he was taking the waters at the Valpovo thermal springs, each night a young woman appeared before him claiming she had been murdered a hundred years ago, and that her body had been abandoned next to the town chapel that was part of the castle. She told him that she would not rest until she was buried in hallowed ground and that if he granted her wish, she would restore his health and tell him the location of a secret treasure. Much to the surprise of everyone who believed that the lieutenant was hallucinating, a skeleton of a young woman was indeed found right next to the chapel. The story goes on to say that about a month later, Kuschmann was completely healed, and the ghost of the woman and the treasure disappeared forever.

The two castles in Donji Miholjac, belonging to two different time periods, are connected by a shared portico. The older one, Prandau Castle, was built in 1818 in a late Baroque style, while the newer Mailath Castle was built in early 20th century in the English Tudor style. Count Mailath allegedly made a promise to Emperor Franz Joseph I during his visit to Donji Miholjac in 1901 to build a castle in time for his next royal visit. And that is exactly what he did. II

Eastern Croatia: Eltz and Odescalchi castles

Behind the heavy wooden door of the Eltz Castle in Vukovar lie centuries of rich and turbulent history. Construction began in 1749, when its owner was Count Anzelmo Kazimir Eltz, the landowner of the area around Vukovar. The first major expansion came around thirty years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, when the Viennese architect Siedeka gave it the distinct grand look. Unfortunately, at the end of the century it was completely destroyed during the Croatian Homeland War. The castle was restored to its former glory in the new millennium. Art historians and architects now consider it one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Croatia, and many locals and tourists find it to be the most beautiful building in town.

Since 1968, it has been the home of the Vukovar Town Museum, which relocated from the building of the mail coach. The Museum was founded through a donation of Dr Antun Bauer which included ancient Roman coins, furniture, weaponry, and a late 19th-century art collection.

Another castle in eastern Croatia was also converted into an interesting museum. The Odescalchi castle now houses the Ilok Town Museum that has an archaeological, medieval, ethnography and gallery section. It has dominated the center of town since the 15th century, when it was built by Nicholas of Ilok (Nikola Iločki in Croatian). It was gifted to Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi and his princely family in Italy as a token | Full of Castles

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of gratitude for their help in liberating Ilok from the Ottomans. His nephews expanded the castle in the 18th century, giving it the look we see today, and set up modern wine cellars beneath it, which are still in use. After it was destroyed in the Homeland War, it was completely rebuilt as a cultural monument, with visible traces of various layers that were added over time, and its atrium offers magnificent views of the Danube.

The Eltz and Odescalchi castles are unusual, culturally invaluable, and represent an important element of the rich tourist offer at the Vukovar-Vučedol-lok destination which holds the prestigious EDEN Destination of Excellence title thanks to its value in cultural tourism. 11

Although they bave not been renovated yet, the Kulmer-Marković Castle in Cernik, the Adamović-Cseh Manor in Erdut, the castle of Prince Eugene of Savoy in Bilje, Esterbázy family castle in Darda, the Tikveš Castle complex, Knezevo Castle, and the Baroque castle Gosseau-Sandor-Khuen in Nuštar all speak to the rich history of the region. Even the nobility couldn't resist Slavonia's charms.

The Osijek Citadel, the Fort in Slavonski Brod, and the Old Royal Town of Ilok

The body of General Johann Stephan von Beckers, construction supervisor for the Osijek Citadel (or "Tvrda"), was allegedly walled into the city walls near the Water Gate in the north. The story goes that in 1768, Emperor Joseph II was not allowed entrance to the Citadel, having arrived in Osijek after sundown, so he decided to seek shelter at the "K šaranu" (The Old Carp) tavern, on the spot of present-day Esseker business center. Legend has it that the Citadel still holds a hidden chest of the Habsburg Imperial treasury, which was completely relocated to Osijek as Napoleon drew closer to Vienna.

Although it was reputed to be one of the most state-of-theart forts of the 18th century, it never actually served as a military structure. In addition to the Water Gate and water tower-watchtower, the only thing that has remained from the original Citadel are the walls facing Drava and the Crown fortification (Krunske uturde) on the left river bank, but the Baroque city that was built on it is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of Osijek.

In the 18th century, a military fort that could hold four thousand soldiers and 150 cannons was built at the initiative of Eugene of Savoy along the river Sava in Slavonski Brod, at the border between Turkey and Austria - one of the most important strategic positions and sites of transit. The peasants of Slavonia worked on this enormous star-shaped structure day and night for sixty years. This well-preserved and renovated monument, which houses the Tambura Museum, the

Ruzić Gallery and a live history program, is now the cultural center of Slavonski Brod.

The medieval walls in Ilok are around 1,350 metres long, and together with its small towers represent the largest preserved

fortification complex in continental Croatia. When he reconstructed the walls in the 15th century, Nicholas of Ilok, the ban (or governor) of Croatia, Slavonia and Mačva, Duke of Transylvania and King of Bosnia, erected a new palace in the western part of town. Seeing as Nicholas of Ilok bore a royal title, Ilok was no regular medieval fort, but a real royal town. 11

5 Medieval town walls, Ilok | SERGIO GOBBO

Medieval Towns on the Slopes of Papuk

Some say that the town was named after a beautiful fairy that was walled in its foundations, some that it was a beautiful princess that jumped to her death from the highest tower. Others like the story of a blue-haired ox that slept in the shade of a walnut, next to a flowering rose, so in that exact place a town was built that was as tough as a walnut and as beautiful as a rose. Although it is assumed that the impressive Ruzica grad (literally "Rose town") above Orahovica was founded before 1220, it is uncertain when exactly it was built, who its builders were, or how its big stone blocks were brought to the top of the hill, on the North-east slopes of Papuk Mountain.

Out of the eight old medieval towns on the slopes of Papuk, one of the most beautiful ones is situated on the southern slopes of Lapjak hill near the village of Velika, the entrance to the Nature Park. Built in the 13th century, it was originally owned by the Befekijevci family from Velika, and after the Ottoman conquest became a military outpost. Its unusual, elongated pentagonal plan, whose monumental northern façade resembles the prow of a ship, differentiates it from all other forts in the area. It is only partly preserved, drawing the attention of day-trippers and hikers that find themselves on the Lapjak educational trail.

Slavonia bas always beld an important strategic position, as evidenced by the remnants of old towns and forts, such as the early medieval fort in Lovčić near Slavonski Brod, the old town of Caklovac on the slopes of Psunj Mountain, the medieval towers in Erdut, the Šarengrad forts.

The medieval town Kaptol, also situated on the periphery of Papuk, was once a distinguished part of the Collegiate Chapter of St Peter in Pozega, founded in the 13th century. With the advent of the Ottoman rule in 16th-century Slavonia, it served as the residence of the infamous Dizdar Agha. The fort was renovated in the 18th

century, and it has been the property of the Cathedral Chapter of Dakovo since the 19th century. The town was inhabited until 1943, so it has been well-preserved and has become a must-see spot for hilkers and nature lovers. By the decree of Pope John Paul II, the medieval town of Kaptol is now owned by the Požega Bishopric. 11

Explore Slavonia | For the Curious of Heart

From the Janković Family to Aston Martin

The first mint in Croatia operated in 1256-1260 in the small town of Pakrac. The Slavonian banovac, a silver coin produced there, was used not only in Slavonia, but also in Hungary, Slovenia, Romania and Bosnia. On one side, the medieval coin featured the marten (kuna in Croatian), so the people of Pakrac rightfully believe that their coin is the predecessor of former Croatian currency, kuna. It was no accident that this little animal was used on the coin. Before the advent of money, its fur was a highly valuable means of payment. Although the mint

remained in operation for only four years, after which it was relocated to Zagreb, its memory is still preserved in the Pakrac Town Museum, in the small ))

Explore Slavonia The Secrets of Old Towns

If you find yourself in Vrpolje, the birthplace of sculptor Ivan Meštrović, make sure to visit the Memorial Gallery honouring this world-renowned artist, wbose works can be seen in some of the biggest cities in the world. You can also visit Nova Gradiška, the youngest town in Croatia, and its old town center that bas two churches, an old courthouse and a prison from the 18th century.

palace Janković in the center of town. If you decide to visit the museum, you can make your own banovac to take home with you as an original Pakrac souvenir.

The museum building in the small palace, next to the main palace and two smaller farm buildings, is part of the protected Janković complex from the fi rst half of the 18th century. It is enclosed by a large courtyard, the must-see Pakrac promenade. Here you will fi nd one of the top three kissing spots in Pakrac. At least it says so on the notice boards you simply cannot pass without taking a selfi e, either alone or with someone.

The Jankovié family left a deep impression in the neighbouring town of Lipik as well. The centuries-old Lipik gardens, a protected monument of landscape architecture, was once a playground for Countess Jellka Janković when she was a child, and

so a hill, a bench and a pathway were named in her honour. The well-known Lipik thermal baths were built over the healing water springs within the park in 1886. The healing water spring is located 234 metres below ground and holds a steady temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.

One of the springs, Antun's or Count's spring, is one of the earliest thermal and mineral water springs drilled in this part of Europe, and it was all done by hand in 1870. A mere fi ve years later, the mineral water was already being bottled. "Lipički studenac," as it was named, was the only domestic natural mineral water on the Croatian market until 1993.

Football, History of the Frontier, and the Battle of Batina

Another thing you might not know about Lipilk is that the Bentley, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Aston Martin DB10 cars, the latter famous for appearing in a James Bond movie, are all equipped with high-quality glass from the Lipik Glas factory, which also manufactures the glass stairs found in every Apple store. 11

Croatia is home to the runners-up in the FIFA World Cup and the Wimbledon winners, and these sports were fi rst played in Croatia precisely in Slavonia. It was at the end of the 19th century in the town of Zupanja. The credit for starting a true sports tradition goes to nine Englishmen who decided to establish a tannin factory there in 1880. One of the men, Fredy Hepburn, married Katarina Horvatović, who became the first Slavonian lady from the country, a frequent guest in English high society.

Although a Slavonian town, Županja off ers a unique ambiance of rural architecture. Here you will learn the word uoravanje, which means the merger of smaller hamlets into a single whole.

Explore Slavonia | For the Curious of Heart

Explore Slavonia For the Curious of Heart

The most beautiful structure here is the frontier watchtower (Granicarski čardak) dating back to the 19th century, the only remaining monument on the river Sava from the time of the Military Frontier (Vojna krajina) and Ottoman rule. Today it houses the "Stjepan Gruber" Native Museum.

Another cultural monument is the former border-crossing station of the Frontier, or štacija. This is the birthplace of Petar Preradović, a famous Croatian poet, located in the village of Grabrovnica near Pitomača, which now serves as a Memorial Museum dedicated to the poet.

If you ever fi nd yourself in Slatina, visit one of the most beautiful museums in Slavonia, as it will tell you the thousand-year history of the town and the surrounding villages of Cadavica, Sopje, Vocin, Mikleuš and Nova Bukovica.

The village of Batina has a Memorial Complex "The Battle of Batina", dedicated to one of the most difficult military operations conducted on the Danube during WWII. A monument was erected on the spot of the hardest battles, made by sculptor Antun Augustinčić.

In addition to a crypt with the sculptor's remains, there is also a Memorial Centre with a permanent exhibition. The monument is the most beautiful viewpoint in this part of Baranja, overlooking the Danube and the intersection between Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. 11

Ivan Rakitić, Mario Mandžukié and Ivica Olié, silver medallists from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, received commemorative plaques in the form of stars in the center of the region they came from, Slavonski Brod. Their teammate Domagoj Vida raises Black Slavonian pigs in bis bometown of Donji Miboljac, and the 1998 World Cup top scorer, Davor Šulker, was born in Osijek.

One With Nature Full of Surprises

Papuk Nature Park

The people of Baranja are very proud of the Bansko brdo hill, although modest in size, reaching only 243 metres. The people of Syrmia, on the other hand, will tell you there is no mountain more beautiful than Fruška Gora. When you actually stop to think about all the mountains enclosing the Požega Valley, you would think this is the mountainous part of Croatia, rather than the heart of Slavonia. Požega Mountain, Papuk, Dilj Mountain, Krndija and Psunj challenge the preconceived notion that Slavonia is just a vast plain.

Even though Psunj takes the title of the highest Slavonian mountain at 985 metres, it was Papuk that gained nature park status in 1999, and became a UNESCO Geopark in 2015. This fairy-tale area spans over 336 square kilometres, 96 percent of which is covered by forests of 13 different types.

Did you know that Papulk and Psunj used to be islands in the ancient Pannonian Sea, and that Lake Sousko is the only part of the sea that still remains? You can explore all this at the modern interpretation centers - Terra Panonica in Pleternica, the House of the Pannonian Sea in Velika, and the Geo-info Center in Vocin.

Its northern slopes belong to the Jankovac Forest Park, one of the most beautiful mountain valleys, surrounded by the mystical centuries-old beech forest. Today, it is a favourite hiking site, with a mountain lodge that can accommodate up to 60 visitors, educational trails, mountain streams and lakes, caves, over two thousand animal and plant species, and the picturesque Skakavac ("Grasshopper") waterfall plunging down a 36 m cliff into the Kovačica stream.

This part of Papuk impressed the nobleman Josip Janković from Vocin so much, that he not only decided to make it his home, but was also buried in a cave offering a spectacular view of the area. In his honour, the Count's Trail now leads through the most beautiful part of the forest park, passing by the mountain lodge, two man-made lakes, the Skakavac waterfall and Maksim's cave, complete with interpretation boards, wooden bridges and stairs.

Rupnica, a unique geological natural monument of volcanic origins, which is actually a natural mosaic of large rocks creating a stair-like formation, is located in the Northwest part of the Park. You can reach Rupnica from Vocin, which has a visitor center and the main entrance to the Nature Park, or Velika, situated on the other side of the Park. 11

Known as "the Amazon of Europe", the ever-changing Kopacki rit is Danube's largest inner delta. This natural wetland reserve is situated between the Danube in the east and Drava in the south, and is one of the most well-preserved floodplains. It is the largest freshwater fish spawning ground in this part of the Danube river basin, and one of the largest fluvial and swamp plains in Europe.

It spans 231 square kilometres, around 70 square kilometres of which has been turned into a special zoological preserve. It is included in the inventory of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), it was included in the Wetlands of International Importance list under the Ramsar Convention, and it also forms a part of the cross-border Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, placed under UNESCO protection.

"Kopački rit" stems from the Hungarian words kapocs and ret, which mean "clasp" and "meadow", respectively. Just like a clasp, the wooden bridges between the

meadows of the wetland carve deep into Kopački rit, giving the visitors a unique experience of this natural phenomenon.

Rivers and flood waters shaped its unusual landscape, forming sand bars, river islands, and countless streams, which rare and endangered plant and animal species call their home. Over 280 bird species have been recorded here, 141 nesting regularly or intermittently. The white-tailed eagle can often be seen flying freely above the water.

The rich wildlife and beauty of Kopački rit can best be experienced from a tourist boat or canoe during the warmer months, accompanied by a guide. If you go by land, your best options are taking a ride on the tourist train, riding a bicycle or going on foot. The visitor center at the entrance to the Park is a good place to eat and drink, as well as the perfect starting point for exploring this unusual wetland world.

An equally interesting part of Kopački rit is the 19th-century Tilkveš country estate, a complex also known as "Tito's Castle". This is where the Yugoslav statesmen King Alexander and Josip Broz - Tito used to rest after hunting in the local forests. The entire estate and forest are still as irresistible as ever. You can learn more about all that at the newly opened Tikveš Presentation and Education Center. 11

Outside is Free outsideisfree

When in Slavonski Brod, be sure to visit the man-made lake Petnja, a fishing oasis on the southern slopes of Dilj Mountain. The lake is only seven kilometres away from the town, which makes it the perfect spot for local day-trippers, along with the hilking trails and water sports it offers. The nearby erosive canyon Pljuskara contains a few small waterfalls and caves, the most appealing one being a cave whose ceiling is covered with fossils from the era of the Pannonian Sea. ))

One With Nature | Full of Surprises