Abundance of hedonism

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European Amazona

They say that the energy of green color eliminates the feeling of restraint, creating a soothing effect. Why wait then – only ten kilometers from Osijek, in the far southeast of Baranja, there is a green oasis - the Nature Park Kopački rit, the oldest one in Croatia (1976). Swamps, damp lawns, river sleeves, meanders and sandbars make the magic zone one of the last pristine European wetlands.

Along the northern part of the Rit lies the Eco-Center Zlatna Greda. Their Nature House is a former administrative building of one of Baranja's waste, production and agricultural complexes built during the 19th century (remember the story of the successful Belje estate). Zlatna Greda offers visitors a variety of activities: team building, horseback riding, cycling, bird and animal watching, rowing. There is also an adrenaline park, the first in eastern Croatia, and a remarkably interesting school in the nature, dedicated to biodiversity, ecology, and sustainable development.

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On two wheels

Slavonia and Baranja are intertwined with roads that cyclists and cyclo-tourists use to travel to their favorite destinations: nature parks, picnics, or Saturday lunches in the countryside. We offer a growing number of Bed & Bike accommodation and campsites that have content tailored to the needs of this type of tourists. The region is bordered by two EuroVelo routes, no. 6 (Atlantic-Black Sea) and no. 13 (Iron Curtain Trail). The increasing popularity of cycling in Slavonia is evidenced by the increasing number of local recreational cyclists and hikers. They are joined by an increasing number of runners across the Slavonian - Baranja plains, hills, and valleys.

The EuroVelo 6 (Atlantic - Black Sea) route in Croatia is also known as the Danube route. It starts from the Croatian-Hungarian border, along the route Batina - Osijek - Vukovar - Ilok, to the border with Serbia. It is about 150 km long. The EuroVelo 13 route is also known as the Drava route in Croatia. It extends from the Croatian-Slovenian-Hungarian three-border line, along the Gola - Sopje - Donji Miholjac - Petlovac - Batina route, all the way to the border with Serbia. It is about 190 km long. It largely overlaps with the route also known as the "Amazon of Europe" Bike Trail.

Get to know

Slavonia and Baranja castles

Although Osijek is the heart of Slavonia and Baranja, Slavonia and Baranja have so much more to offer. Stories about charming noblemen, fortress builders, great conquerors, and ladies are a starting point for discovering the numerous hidden corners of this region. So, do not forget to pack a map (or simply charge the battery of your smartphone) and start exploring!

From the beginning of the 18th century, fertile Slavonian soil was given to numerous noble families by Austrian rulers. As a result, a vast number of feudal estates with a country house and a manor were built around the area. Although it was far from Vienna, the people here tried to keep up with the latest lifestyle trends in the center of the Habsburg Monarchy. On one side, salons were a gathering place for the gentlem0en of Slavonia and were filled with hunting trophies and trophy firearms. On the other side, salons were places where ladies and children spent their days and were filled with sheet music, instruments, and shelves of family libraries. From Donji Miholjac and Valpovo to Našice and Erdut, nobility from the country discussed not only politics, economics, hunting but also art, education, and agriculture. Some of the noblemen from this area especially stand out. For example, the ones in Belje that took over almost the whole of Baranja that has continued to strive from 1697 until today. During the 18th and 19th century the area of this feudal property became one of the most productive properties in all of then Hungary.

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Hunting and fishing

Fishermen and hunters like to go to the river tributaries and rivers, but also to Slavonian and Baranja’s oak forests. Rivers, lakes and ponds are especially rich in freshwater capitals such as carp, perch, pike and catfish. The largest fishponds in the County are located near Donji Miholjac and Našice, while the favorite places for fishing lakes Borovik and Jošava in the vicinity of Đakovo, Lapovac and the former Baranja river tributaries - Topoljski Dunavac near Draž and Stara Drava near Bilje. Not far from Bilje, in Kopačevo, the Fishermen's Days event has been held for twenty years. Apart from fishing, Slavonia and Baranja also have a rich hunting tradition. The local forests are rich in trophy game, among which the magnificent Baranja deer stands out in the first place, followed by roe deer, wild boar and other feathered and small game.

Taste

Kulen & seke

Apart from the riches that came from the field, the heritage of Slavic, Hungarian, Germanic, and Ottoman cuisine became a part of the gastronomy od Slavonia and Baranja. The local culinary tradition consists of venison, different fish delicacies (fish soup known as „fiš“, carp on a stick), different stews such as „paprikaš“ and „čobanac“, but also farmer's food such as beans in a pot and dishes made from pasta. Preserved meat slices and homemade processed meat such as Kulen (Kulin), Kulenova Seka, sausages, pork rinds, and bacon are especially respected.

The special cured meat delicacy is made from processed meat from black Slavonian pig also known as the „fajferica“. When hands of the old masters mince the meat of this indigenous Croatian breed with ground pepper from Baranja, a masterpiece is created – Kulen from Slavonia and Baranja, a sausage which is under the EU geographical protection status.

What do people from Slavonia eat? Every proper meal starts with an aperitif, a homemade melon, plum, pear, apricot, walnut, or sour cherry schnapps. Partly because it would be a sin to try just one and partly because of its beneficial influence on the atmosphere at the table several toasts are usually raised. This lasts until some of the delicacies described in the previous paragraph are not brought to the table. Some kind of a seasonal salad or pickled vegetables is always eaten with the main dish. They also do not save calories on the dessert. Typical desserts for you to choose from are dumplings with plums, poppy seed noodles, „taške“ (a dish similar to ravioli but often with sweet filling) or a walnut roll. Imagine yourself enjoying delicious food and wine with the sound of bagpipes, tambourines, or a violin in the background...

Taste

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SLAVONIAN TABLE:

Be it kulen, sausage or bacon, nobody leaves Slavonia hungry. However, the offer is not reduced to meat delicacies. Slavonia has always been a region rich in fish with angling as a part of life.

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACTIVE DAY IN NATURE:

Small hills covered in forests, lakes and rivers, numerous hiking trails and excursion sites make Slavonia a destination for both recreation and staying in the nature.

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PAST AND THE FUTURE:

The space of Slavonia encompasses a large number of sites of international and national importance. Get to know also the intangible heritage of this region – dance the šokačko kolo (Šokci dance) and sing a bećarac.