Explore the Natural Beauty of Kopacki Rit Wetlands

1. TOURIST BORD OF OSIJEK-BARANJA COUNTY C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E

2. KOPACKI RIT

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. BIZOVAC SPA

6. 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.

7. DJAKOVO STUDFARM

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. VINE ROAD AND WINE-GROWING DISTRICTS

11. 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.

12. 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 Mandićevac. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. OSIJEK AND TVRDJA

16. 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).

17. 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 poolsmade 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

18. PRANDAU-MAILATH CASTLE IN DONJI MIHOLJAC

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. THE DJAKOVO EMBROIDERIES

22. 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.

23. 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 couldn’t 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.

24. OLIMPICS OF OLD SPORTS IN BRODJANCI

25. 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 severalcenturies 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 byshepherds while they were watching out for their herds or resting, farmersplayed them after hard work in the fields or children during their free time. OnSundays 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.

26. TAMBURITZA MUSIC

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. GASTRONOMY

30. 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.

31. ETHNOLOGY

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. HUNTING AND FISHING

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. CULTURAL EVENTS

38. 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

39. Cultural Events AugustAljmas: ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY PILGRIMAGEErnestinovo: ERNESTINOVO ART COLONYBrodjanci: OLD SPORTS OLYMPICSOsijek: OSIJEK SUMMER NIGHTS SeptemberBeli Manastir: AUTUMN IN BARANJAKopacevo: FISHERMAN DAYSNasice: DAYS OF SLAVONIAN FORESTRadikovci: SLINGSHOT COMPETITION

40. 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)