C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E

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TOURIST BORD OF OSIJEK-BARANJA COUNTY
C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E
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KOPACKI RIT
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Kopacki rit
The world-famous natural wetlands KOPACKI RIT,
the largest natural fish nursery, is a great
place for leisure and recreation for fishermen
and hunters. This is the habitat of many
thousands of game animals such as roe deer, large
red deer, wild boar and feathered game. Kopacki
Rit stands as an easily accessible bird watching
paradise with 270 bird species recorded where
anyone can witness the beauty and richness of the
nature preserved at its best by taking a guided
boat tour on the Kopacevo Lake. Kopacki Rit is
recognized internationally for its significance.
It has been selected as the Ramsar Area
protected by Ramsar Convention (Convention on
internationally important flood areas), included
also in the IBA (Important Bird Area)
list. Kopacki Rit is a natural wetlands reserve
that has emerged on the confluence of river Drava
into Danube with a flood area of approximately
17,000 hectares.
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Kopacki rit

• It was proclaimed a protected area in 1967 and
  a nature reserve in 1976. Reason for that is the
  fact that it is the home of around 40 species of
  freshwater fish (carp, pike, sheat-fish,
  pike-perch, bream, tench, sturgeon, prussian
  carp) and one of the largest natural fish
  nurseries in Central Europe.
• Around 267 species of marsh birds live here,
  among which especially valued are white tailed
  sea eagle, black stork, egret, tern, night teron,
  various wild duck species, wild geese, white
  swan.
• The immense reeds, marshes and ponds of Kopacki
  Rit offer the ideal habitat for Baranja red deer,
  roe, wild boar, wild cat. Small game is
  represented by hare, fox, badger, pheasant and
  pine marten.

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BIZOVAC SPA
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Bizovac Spa

• The largest tourist complex of eastern Croatia -
  Bizovacke Toplice - is
• made up of hotels Termia and Toplice (Spa),
  thermal baths, Aquapolis
• and Polyclinic "Bizovacke Toplice - Medical
  Rehabilitation".
• Within the 205 bed Hotel Termia, there is a
  multifunctional bathing
• complex Aquapolis or Watertown, which consists
  of nine freshwater
• swimming pools of different sizes and purposes
  with a range of water attractions, like the music
  cave, whirlpools, jacuzzi pools, 112 meters
• aqua gun, mushroom fountain, non-swimmer pool,
  children's pool and
• a semi-olympic swimming pool. All of this is
  supplemented with a
• graveled sunbathing area and sporting grounds
  for football and
• five-a-side football, basketball, tennis, sand
  volleyball, handball and a
• modern children playground.

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DJAKOVO STUDFARM
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Djakovo Studfarm
The Djakovo Studfarm was founded by
Bosnia-Sirmia bishops on their properties in
Djakovo, wich were given to them as gift in 1239
by Coloman, King of Croatia and Hungary. This
gift-deed was confirmed in 1244 by King Bela
IV. The first written documents about horses at
the Djakovo episcopal properties date from
1374, related to the wedding of Bosnian King
Tvrtko with Bulgarian Princess Dorothea, which
took place in Djakovo. It is considered that
the Studfarm was founded in 1506, since then it
had been mentioned for the first time in a
document on how Bishop Mijo Kesaric owned a
Studfarm with 90 Arabian horses. After the
expulsion of the Turks (1687), Djakovo Studfarm
was renewed in 1706 by Bishop Djuro Patacic. In
1806 Djakovo hosted the Lipik Studfarm which
sought refuge from Napoleon.
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Djakovo Studfarm
The transition to almost exclusive breeding of
Lippizaner horses in Djakovo was made during
the rule of Bishop J. J. Strossmayer, great
Croatian cultural worker and patron of the
arts. Studfarm was known throughout the
Austria-Hungary Monarchy. It is the oldest
institution for breeding and selection in the
Republic of Croatia. Djakovo Studfarm today
holds exceptionally valuable genetic material,
which, combined with successful selection
repairs the population of Lippizaner horse
breed. Such valuable breeding material is also
a cultural asset for Croatia, with which we
show the world that our ancestors managed to
preserve and improve the state of
horse-breeding through many years of work on
breeding of horses.
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VINE ROAD AND WINE-GROWING DISTRICTS
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Wine Road and Wine-growing Districts
Baranja Wine-growing District In the north of
Croatian part of Baranja, which is a distinctly
lowland area "Banska Kosa" Hill is located,
which is ideal for growing of wine grapes. Name
"Baranja" itself is probably connected to these
good conditions, because in Hungarian boranya
means wine mother. These ideal conditions for
wine grape cultivation and production of
excellent wines have also been recognized by the
Romans who, more than 2,000 years ago, have
named the Banska Kosa Hill "Mons aureus", or
golden hill..Baranja hill is one of top-quality
Croatian wine-growing districts. The climatic
conditions with annual rainfall average of 686
cubic mm, are favorable for cultivation of wine
grape, while the annual temperature sum in the
vegetation period is 3,479 degrees Celsius, and
autumn is warmer than spring.
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Wine Road and Wine- growing Districts
Djakovo Wine-growing District Beginnings of
wine production and wine-growing tradition in the
Djakovo- Sirmium Diocese date back to
pre-Turkish times and after the liberation from
Turks it was especially restored by Bishop
Petar Bakic by planting vineyards in Trnava,
and expanded by Bishop Josip Colnic.Bishop Anto
Mandic founded the vineyards in Mandicevac on the
slopes of Krndija, and Bishop Josip Juraj
Strossmayer built the cellars in Trnava and
Mandicevac. Djakovo-Sirmium Diocese is the
largest producer of Traminer in this area,
which constitutes 60 of their assortment. Other
40 is comprised of production of Trnava
Grasevina and superior Trnava Chardonnay.Superior
Trnava Traminer is also enjoyed by wine lovers
outside of our borders. Diocese cellars are
also known for their vintage wines, with which
they prove existence of exceptional grape
harvests, which is the result of ardent investing
of knowledge and love in the final product,
which is also superiorly packaged.
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Wine Road and Wine-growing Districts
Erdut Wine-growing District Wine grapes have
been cultivated on elevations above Danube as
early as during the Roman rule. After departure
of the Turks from the area, the manorial estate
of John Baptist was established. It has exchanged
several owners in a short period of time - Ivan
Palfi, Adamovich de Csepin, and in the second
half of the 19th century the estate was taken
over by noble Ervin Cseh.Ervin Cseh has done a
great deal for improvement of wine-growing in
Erdut, which is best shown by the fact that
even after the World War Two he had possessed
80 hectares of vineyards and a cellar in
Erdut.Under the management of IPK Osijek
vineyard areas have been expanded, and superior
wines offered in the market Chardonnay and
fragrant Traminer, as well as quality wine
Grasevina, and table wines Becar and Table
White.
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Wine Road and Wine-growing Districts
Fericanci Wine-growing District The greatest
role in development of Fericanci wine-growing was
played by the Cistercians and friars from
Nasice. After expulsion of the Turks, settlers
have accepted the culture of wine grape
cultivation and wine production, so that a
cellar with capacity of 1,000 hectoliters was
built in Fericanci as early as 1850.Within the
"Nasicecement" concern, under the name "Feravino"
marketed today are the superior Rhine Riesling
wine and quality wines Grasevina, White Pinot
and renowned Fericanci Frankovka.
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OSIJEK AND TVRDJA
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Osijek and Tvrdja
Osijek's Tvrdja complex was built in the 18th
century with impressive defensive walls and
town gates, Romanic nucleus and rectangular main
square, so the Osijek is the most important
military, economic, administrative and cultural
center of Slavonia. Tvrdja belongs to most
important old Croatian town nucleuses and it has
the greatest harmony of Baroque military
buildings preserved until today. Standing out is
the main guard building from 1730, with arcades
and a square tower for guard patrols. Elongated
one-story barracks are known under names like
Neutor, Donati, Zeichenamt, Jugend
Kaserne. Preserved in Tvrdja are beautiful
aristocratic and citizen buildings, Baroque
circular pillar of the Holy Trinity
(1729-1730), fountain, Museum of Slavonia
building, old gymnasium, church of St. Michael
with valuable inventory and accessories (kept
here is the chalice with enamel medallions with
images from the life of St. Francis Xavier,
with a stamp from Vienna from 1764).
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Osijek and Tvrdja
Franciscan monastery was founded in 1699, and it
was the place of the first faculty in Slavonia
in 1735 (philosophy and theology studies). In the
same year the first printing house in Slavonia
was established here. Osijek's Upper Town is a
historical treasure trove old sacral, cultural
and historical monuments, Capuchin monastery,
Neo-Gothic church of Sts. Peter and Paul, St.
Anna chapel, classicist palace of the Virovitica
County, theatre building, chambers of
commerce Located in the Lower Town is a series
of late Baroque citizen houses, series of
Secessionist and late Baroque buildings in the
New Town, and in Retfala the valuable Pejacevic
family castle (18th century), and the church of
Ascension of the Holy Cross with the Mausoleum
of Count Pejacevics. Temporal administration
(1735 - 1737) with a beautiful portal and two
Baroque pools made of reddish Baranja stone in
front of the building from year 1761 is one of
the most magnificent buildings in Slavonia. One
of the oldest buildings in Osijek is the
municipality and town seat building (1700 -
1702). Valuable portraits of Slavonian large
estate owners from the 18th century can be
found in the Gallery of Fine Arts.
TvrdjaDescription Square of St. Trinity in
TvrdjaNote Click on thumbnail to see the larger
image above                        
       
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PRANDAU-MAILATH CASTLE IN DONJI MIHOLJAC
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Prandau-Mailath Castle
Old castle, one of the first larger buildings in
Donji Miholjac, was built in 1818 for the
aristocratic Prandau family. The building was
constructed in late Baroque style and it was the
first to be covered with roof tiles in its
entirety. It has two parlors, fourteen rooms and
several kitchens and pantries. In the park
surrounding the castle a glasshouse for tropical
and winter plants was also built. Construction
of the new castle begun in 1903 after the visit
by Emperor Francis Joseph to Donji Miholjac.
Administrator of the Miholjac manor, Count
Ladislav Mailath built it in English Tudor
style, which is abundant with numerous towers,
mansard windows and spacious terraces and
balconies. Building has 50 rooms with circa
3,500 square meters of usable space. The
interior was decorated with count's hunting
trophies from trips to Asia and Africa. The
ground floor was designed for everyday stay,
located here were winter and summer dinning
room, music room, dance hall, library and
castle's office rooms. All the rooms were
covered with oakwood panels. Servant rooms were
located in the loft.
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Prandau-Mailath Castle
Castle possessed its own source of electric
energy, a water supply system and central
heating with a combination of tile stoves and
open fireplaces. In 1930 Count sells the castle
and the estates to the Schlesinger family, which
remained its owner until 1941, when they left
Kingdom of Yugoslavia fleeing before fascist
occupation. Today, castle is the seat of Donji
Miholjac city government.            
   
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THE DJAKOVO EMBROIDERIES
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The Djakovo Embroideries
Djakovo is the host and organizer of the
Slavonia and Baranja folklore festival "Djakovo
Embroideries", which is held every year (since
1967) at beginning of July. Name of the
festival fits the event perfectly around seventy
folklore groups with around 4,000 performers
participate in the festival, with each group
having a different folk costume, and each
costume a different embroidery. Thousands of
embroideries! Parade with all of the
participants passes through town streets like a
moving exhibit of colors and lines, as if a
rainbow had descended on the town. Square in
front of the cathedral and the Summer stage in
Strossmayer Park are the centers of activities.
Groups, songs, dances, customs follow one
another. The program continues without pause
until the evening hours and the auditorium does
not empty. It is difficult to find two costumes
that are the same each costume's beauty
attracts attention. Auditorium becomes too
cramped in the evenings. The most beautiful folk
costume for girls and women is chosen - it is a
true festival of beauty one cannot tell which
is more beautiful the girls, the women or the
costumes.
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The Djakovo Embroideries
Djakovo Embroideries is more than just a folk
costume festival. Famous opera singers or
choirs perform in the Basilica Cathedral of St.
Peter (1882.) accompanied by organ. Visual
artists display their works in the exhibition
salon. Gastronomic events, which include
exhibitions and evaluations of Slavonian food,
bread and wine, are held throughout the
week. Horse, that noble animal is disappearing
from fields and streets. Their work has been
replaced by that of the machines, and horses
have remained love and pride of their owners
and attractiveness of equestrian sports. For many
villagers horse breeders, love toward this
beautiful animal is also proof of their material
situation. Djakovo Embroideries is also a review
of horses bred by rural households, which are
united into horse breeding associations. The
way in which this is shown to thousands of
spectators couldnt be more beautiful marriage
carts! These are rustic horse-drawn carts,
decorated with flowers, embroidered pillows,
towels and bed sheets, as it was customary for
weddings long time ago. The sport program takes
place at the racetrack. Hurdles jumping,
two-horse and four-horse carriage rides are the
chance to present the horses in all their
beauty. During the ten unforgettable days of
Djakovo Embroideries, the town becomes too
small for numerous guests.
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OLIMPICS OF OLD SPORTS IN BRODJANCI
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Olimpics of Old Sports in Brodjanci
The only and the most significant cultural and
sport event traditionally held for more than 30
years in the area of Bizovac is the Olympics of
Old Sports in Brodjanci. Traditional old
sports, which are presented at the Olympics, are
several centuries old and there are a few
documents of how and where they first appeared.
Before the time of modern sports, these old
sports were played mainly by shepherds while
they were watching out for their herds or
resting, farmers played them after hard work in
the fields or children during their free
time. On Sundays or festivity days, young men
would compete in front of their sweethearts in
order to prove themselves. At the day of the
Olympics, the stadium is used not only for the
competition of senior men and women and
children, but also as the stage for exhibits from
the gallery fund, shows of folklore groups,
singers of Slavonian songs, carts , riders and
other ethnological content. The event also
includes rich gastronomical program composed of
national meals, drinks and home-made cakes, as
well as the traditional ox grilling.
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TAMBURITZA MUSIC
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Tamburitza Music
It is said that Osijek is the cradle of
tamburitza music. The first tamburitza club in
Osijek was founded in 1847. It had been founded
by Pajo Kolaric, turning tamburitza into the
most popular folk musical instrument. Thus Osijek
has become not only the tamburitza center of
Croatia, but also of the entire Slavic
south. In the nineties of the last century,
simultaneously with the creation of Croatian
state, the interest for tamburitza was again
roused, and numerous quality tamburitza bands
have been formed. Next to already well known
Slavonski Becari, groups and singers have
appeared that dominate the Croatian music
scene. Tamburitza music has proven that it is
on equal footing with other musical directions.
Songs performed with tamburitza are among the
most popular.
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Tamburitza Music
Numerous musical happenings and events, which
are held in Slavonia and Osijek-Baranja County,
have contributed to the popularity of tamburitza
bands. From their inception until today, such
events have been oases of musical expression of
popular tradition, festivals of folk costumes,
customs, tamburitza bands, folklore ensembles
and folk singers. Worth singling out among
several hundreds of popular Croatian
tamburitza bands are "Slavonski Becari", "Lole",
"Ravnica", "Veseli Sokci", and among singers,
the legends of our tamburitza music Vera Svoboda
and Krunoslav Kico Slabinac, Marta Nikolin,
Viktorija Kulisic, Miroslav Skoro and others.
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GASTRONOMY
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Gastronomy
Few of our regions can take pride in such a
wealth of recipes. In the far and wide known
Slavonian delicacies there are few threads woven
from Dalmatian, Zagorje, Lika and some other
European cuisines. Many occasions in life of
Slavonians are the motive for great celebrations.
That is how the occasion-specific meals for
harvest works, births, engagements, weddings,
church holidays (Christmas, Easter, carnivals),
renowned Slavonian pig-slaughters came into
existence. We are especially proud of meals
prepared according to original recipes, like
cobanac stew, fish stew, chicken stews and many
others. Widely adopted is preparation of stewed
vegetables bound with red pepper coated browned
flour. In the house of every true Slavonian you
will be treated with homemade kulen smoked
pepper sausage, homemade smoked ham, smoked
sausage and other recognizable delicacies. Kind
Slavonian soul, noble heart and well-known
hospitality will make enjoyment in these meals
an unforgettable experience.
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ETHNOLOGY
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Ethnology
There are several characteristic types of folk
costumes that are predominant in Osijek-Baranja
County. Valpovo region is recognizable by folk
costumes that were worn in villages Bizovac,
Habjanovci, Brodjanci and Ladimirevci. Female
attire in the mentioned places is shortly laced
and flared. In the areas surrounding Donji
Miholjac and Valpovo region, types of whiteness
can be tracked, whose component parts are made
of thin homemade or factory cloth. Osijek and
its surroundings are a constituent part of
Slavonian Podravina, and some similar
characteristics can be found. In villages
adjacent to Osijek with ethnically mixed
population, either "bijelina" or "belina" was
worn. Special ethnological treasures can be can
be found in Aljmas. Aljmas folk costume
constitutes a separate variant of Slavonian folk
costume and by its type it doesn't belong to
Podravina, but to Podunavlje.
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Ethnology
Observing the ethnological characteristics of
the area, we cannot afford to omit Baranja.
Ethnologically, Baranja is an exceptionally rich
and strong area with significantly different
characteristics. Due to many years of traffic
isolation, Baranja has more than the other
areas retained many traditional, even very
archaic elements. Folk costumes of the Djakovo
region are especially known for the most festive
gold embroidered attire.
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HUNTING AND FISHING
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Hunting and Fishing
There are 83 established mutual hunting-grounds
in Osijek-Baranja County covering a total
hunting area of 347,685 hectares. These are
managed by hunting associations, united into
Hunting Union of Osijek-Baranja County. There
are also 14 state hunting-grounds, which are
mainly in private lease, or their hunting
rights have been entrusted to the public company
"Croatian Forests" Forest authority Nasice
(hunting-ground "Djurdjenica"), and Forest
authority Osijek (hunting-grounds "Tikves",
"Podunavlje-Podravlje", and game breeding sites
"Mackovac", "Kujnjak" and "Nabrdje"). The county
has a rich hunting tradition, especially on the
big game, and today it can offer high trophy
game in open hunting-grounds (deer, wild boar,
roe deer), and in enclosed hunting-grounds
(fallow deer, mouflon). Offer of the small game
includes pheasant, woodcock, quail, partridge,
mallard, wild goose and hare. Tastefully
decorated hunting lodges offer quality
accommodation and rich home cooking. Beside the
red deer in Baranja and in lowland forests of
Našice and Donji Miholjac, in 2001 a roe-buck
trophy was acquired in Staro Petrovo Selo area,
evaluated at 191.65 CIC points.
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Hunting and Fishing
Wild boar is present in majority of county's
hunting-grounds. Pheasant is spread throughout
the entire county area and it is the main hunting
game in mutual hunting-grounds. Since natural
reproduction does not satisfy hunter's demand
for this game, the pheasant population is
supplemented with artificial rearing. Greatest
producer of pheasants in the county is LD
"Pheasant" Darda.
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CULTURAL EVENTS
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Cultural Events
MayOsijek TAMBURITZA MUSIC FESTIVAL JuneBilje
ETHNO ECO FESTIVALDraz BARANJA
BECARACNasice ANTUNOVO FESTIVITIESOsijek
OSIJEK SUMMER NIGHTSValpovo VALPOVO
SUMMER JulyPetrijevci PETRIJEVCI HARVEST
FESTIVITIESDjakovo DJAKOVO EMBROIDERIESDonji
Miholjac MIHOLJACKO SIJELOOsijek OSIJEK SUMMER
NIGHTS
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Cultural Events
AugustAljmas ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
PILGRIMAGEErnestinovo ERNESTINOVO ART
COLONYBrodjanci OLD SPORTS OLYMPICSOsijek
OSIJEK SUMMER NIGHTS SeptemberBeli Manastir
AUTUMN IN BARANJAKopacevo FISHERMAN DAYS
Nasice DAYS OF SLAVONIAN FORESTRadikovci
SLINGSHOT COMPETITION
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Cultural Events
OctoberBizovac AGRICULTURE, HUNTING, FISHING
AND RURAL TOURISM FAIROsijek FISH STEW COOKING
CONTEST NovemberBelisce RONBERG MUSIC
NIGHTSOsijek KRLEZA DAYSLadimirevci
LADIMIREVACKI DIVANI DecemberLadimirevci
LADIMIREVACKI DIVANIOsijek SLAVONIAN BIENALLE
(December of even-numbered years)