Papuk GeoPark: Centennial Trees and Natural Wonders

GEOPARK

Enjoy the Shade of Centennial Beech and Fir Trees

In the heart of Slavonia, on the surface of 336 square kilometers there is a place for a perfect escape from the summer madness, overcrowded beaches, hot nights and even hotter days - the Papuk Nature Park, named after the 953-meter high mountain located there. Centennial trees offer not only shade, but create a primordial atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Forest-like atmosphere is best seen in the 150 years old beech and fir tree forest, enriched by a special forest vegetation reservoir - Sekulina mountain. It is located in the area of Gudonga at an altitude between 740 and 820 meters.

The very pleasant 20ish degrees (sometimes even less) are a pure bliss in the middle of summer. But Papuk has much more to offer.

In September 2007 it became the first geo-park in Croatia. This is a hill and mountain area of Slavonia, area of exceptional biological and geological diversity, with an equally rich cultural and historical heritage.

Exploring Impressive Caves and Waterfalls

Nature is the one which takes the breath away. From the streams of Brzaja, Velinka, Dubočanka and Kovačica to Orahovica, Jankovac and Zvečevo lakes, and over the caves and waterfalls to the Rupnica geological monument of nature. This is the first geological monument of nature in Croatia, proclaimed due to the exceptionally rare morphological formation of volcanic rocks which (as the name says it) look like columns, in Dalmatia some might think it resembles a slightly abstract stairway (which as such can only be found in Ireland and

Wyoming in North America). It is worth mentioning the Dubočanka stream, with its valley in which there are natural thermal springs with water heated at 28 degrees-

One of the most attractive destinations within the park is the Jankovac Park Forest. It is located at an altitude of 475 meters and is considered one of the most beautiful mountain valleys.

Rich in cold springs and clear streams, its borders are guarded by centennial beech trees. No wonder this forest was named a protected Park Forest way back in 1955- Also worth visiting are the caves (the grave of count Jankovic and the cave of Maxim), and the crown jewels you can enjoy is a 30 meter high travertine barrier of the Skakavac waterfall. The moss which make travertine and algae have created a true masterpiece of nature over thousands of years. During the cold winter, the waterfall often freezes which brings you into a true frozen fairytale.

The Jankovac Park Forest also has a mountain lodge which is the main meeting point for all visitors and hikers. In its vicinity there are two artificial lakes connecting the spring in the cave and the waterfall, as well as an educational trail for those who wish to know more about the natural, cultural and historical features of Papuk.

The 500-Year-Old Oak Tree Giants

Papuk is home to two true giants, giants by size and age. In the "Old oaks" monument of nature there are two sessile oaks. They are over 33 meters tall and dominate the area and are between 420 and 500 years old. The other one, with more than a half a century on its branches is also the oldest inhabitant of Papuk. They are located 400 meters from the county road Kamenska -Vocin, northeast from the point where you have to make a turn to get to the Dedovica hunting lodge. They grow in a very unusual environment, in the beech and fir forest which doesn't offer the best ecologicalal conditions for the sessile oak. Now that we have mentioned the oldest and the biggest, we must mention the rarest ones. The "Stanište tisa" (Yew habitat) monument of nature - people can find about ten remaining trees and protected plants in the Debeljak forest area, northwest from Zvečevo. Yew is, for those who don't know, one of the most precious trees, and although there are several areas on Papuk with toponyms such as Tisovac, Tisov potok, Tisica, there are no yew trees found there. In the summer, hikers can enjoy the pools with thermal water in Velika and Orahovac Lake. In winter, although there are no ski resorts, fans of winter activities can enjoy this sport or sledging.

From Sports Climbing to Medieval Towns

Those who are more into adrenalin activities, can enjoy the Sokoline climbing site which offers great training for sports climbing. Papuk offers around 104 kilometers of cycling lanes, the before mentioned Grofova staza educational trail and Lapjak which leads

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to the Pliša paragliding site. Nature has made Papuk very attractive, but man has contributed to its beauty as well. The area of Papuk has seven medieval towns (!) of which the best preserved are Ružica grad, Veliki grad, Kamengrad, Stari grad and Klak. Ružica grad is generally one of the best preserved mideval noble towns in Croatia. It is located about 300 meters from the town of Orahovica. Not far from Ružica grad, at a slightly higher altitude there are remains of another town whose name is unknown. The locals simply called it Stari grad (the Old town), but considering the lack of historical evidence, it real name and purpose remain unknown.

The Shell: A Symbol of Papuk's Ancient Past

16 million years ago Papuk was an island in the Pannonian Sea on which rhinos walked and around which an extinct shark species swam. Numerous fossils of formerly living organisms, mostly marine animals, testify to the ancient past of this "Slavonian archipelago", which in Velika, within the Nature Park Papuk, has a new, impressive exhibition - the House of the Pannonian Sea. This

visitor-education center opened in 2019, is part of the already existing Visitor Center in Velika. On an area of 158 square meters, in addition to the exhibition halls, there are multifunctional classrooms for interactive lectures, a gift shop and an outdoor classroom. There you will see firsthand why the park symbol is a fossil - an ammonite shell.

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