The Power of Nature

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LAKE ORAHOVAC

Surrounded by hills and pristine deciduous forests, at the foothills of the ‘Ružica Town’ there is the Orahovac Lake. The destination is most visited during the summer when it becomes a bathing place as well as a camping and grilling area, with various events taking place there. Even though artificial, it has its own natural sources on the mountain feeding the lake constantly with fresh water.

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RUPNICA

The most significant geological locality of the Papuk Nature Park is Rupnica, unique in Croatia for its morphological volcanic rocks. Its value has been recognised and protected long back in 1948 when it was declared the first geological monument of nature in Croatia.

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MAMUTOVAC IN SLATINA

‘Matutovac’ or the giant sequoia is the largest representative of conifers and belongs among the biggest trees in the world. This Slatina giant, 62.1 metres high and with a diameter of 5.37 metres, grows in the centre of the town. This two hundred years old tree is most certainly the largest living organism on the territory of Slavonia and is a protected monument of nature.

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RUŽICA TOWN

Ružica is a town near Orahovica, dating back to the 13^th century and belonging among the most significant and preserved samples of mediaeval castles in Croatia. According to the legend, in order not to have to get married to a French knight and give him another Croatian town, the beautiful and noble princess Ružica chose to die jumping from the highest towner. Soon there were red rose bushes, the colour of Ružica’s blood, growing all over the place.

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RESTAURANTS AND WINE TASTING

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KRIŽNICA

Križnica, a small town on the left side of the Drava River, is far from everything. You can reach Križnica only by a ferry or pedestrian bridge. When you pass the bridge, you will see a beautiful excursion site: a sandy beach, beach volleyball terrain, children’s playground, grill, tables and benches, and you are only 10 minutes by bike away from the very town and the unforgettable dishes made from the Drava fish, during which at several places you will almost touch the territory of the neighbouring Hungary. The very Križnica 'island' is on the territory of the UNESCO Cross-border Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube.

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HONEY

The main ingredient of many sweet snacks in the Virovitica-Podravina County is honey. You will find honey here also in the wine, brandy, liqueur and even vinegar. You will regularly find it in pancakes, the two making a great pair on the Slavonian and Podravina table. Because of the tradition, the specificities of the beekeepers and honey of this region, honey coming from the Virovitica-Podravina County is of an exceptional quality and the Virovitica-Podravina County is in the very top for its production of honey in Croatia.

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MIKEŠI

Mikeši used to be the indigenous people of the Virovitica area whose vocabulary and dialect were created based on the migration of the population from various Croatian regions and central European countries. Therefore, people in the Virovitica area speak several dialects: Ekavian, Ikavian, Semi-Jekavian, Jekavian, Štokavian and Kajkavian, and the Mikeš accent was impacted by the Bosnian population that arrived there during the Ottoman Empire, which lasted for 131 years. Nowadays, the term Mikeš symbolises the spirit of the indigenous people, their character, language, habits, tradition and customs, lifestyle and worldview, and any true Mikeš person will present himself to the world with the following words:

‘I am that Slavonian, Mikeš by name, a native of Virov’tica.

I am that Mikeš from the area where Podravina and Slavonia kiss.

I am that Mikeš who in 1,234 got the charter and the magna villa Wereucha from the Duke Koloman, i.e. made my Virov’tica a free town.

I am that Mikeš who in 1242 gave Bela IV to drink mead,

drafted the Golden Bull, sharpened the goose feather, prepared the gold and ink

in order for the king to sign it by the Grace of God and in his own hand

thus making Zagreb, the future capital of all Croats, a town …’

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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.