Beauties of Croatia: Where Podravina and Slavonia meet
- by croatiaweek
- in Travel
It has everything for a perfect vacation and escape from the city. Even the view of the Drava, the slopes of Bilogora and Papuk are real anti-stress therapy. Virovitica-Podravina County is a green paradise, where Podravina and Slavonia meet, life is relaxed, peaceful, in harmony with nature, and among the hidden trump cards, we have chosen five that will turn an ordinary trip into a real experience.
One of the most beautiful castles you have ever seen
It hasn’t looked nicer since it was built in the 18th century. The renovated impressive Janković Castle in picturesque Suhopolje with 15 rooms worthy of kings, 5D cinema, multimedia hall…, and soon a wine cellar and wellness centre like no other east of Zagreb, has become an attractive Visitor Centre.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
This is a great starting point for exploring the Noble Route of Virovitica-Podravina County with restored castles and manors that will delight you.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
Drava in your arms
The restored summer house of Count Drašković from the 19th century is also on the Noble Route. Today, the Information and Education Centre and Hostel Dravska priča is a good choice for family trips and school trips. The world of owls, rich flora, the corner of butterflies, the world of fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds singing, Drava forests of fairies and elves – are just a small part of what awaits you in Noskovci.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
Take a walk through the park – a monument of park architecture and along the river along the Drava educational trail into an embrace where there is a resting place and a bird-watching station.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
The valley on Papuk, which delighted Count Janković
Today, the famous mountain resort with a home with 60 beds, educational trails, mountain streams, lakes, caves and the picturesque Skakavac waterfall, which falls from a high rock into the canyon of Kovačica, is a life project of Josip Janković.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
The nobleman from Voćin was so delighted with this mountain valley that he moved there, and after his death, he was buried in one of the caves. In his honour, according to many, the most beautiful mountain valley of the Nature Park and the UNESCO World Geopark Papuk is named Jankovac.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
Do you know where Petar Preradović lived?
You may have never heard of Grabrovnica, but you may have heard about Petar Preradović. This famous 19th-century poet lived in this village near Pitomača, his birthplace is one of the most beautiful in Podravina and today is an Interpretation Centre where you can write with a pen, sit in school, see an exhibition, learn all about Preradović’s life through holograms, the wonders of modern technology and at the same time enjoy a real rural idyll. Priceless.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
A gourmet experience to talk about
The uncrowned queen of Croatian confectionery, bronze and silver Olympian Sandra Jadek, lives in Slatina. You will not believe what creations are made from local ingredients – honey, pumpkin, hazelnuts, walnuts, apples… Her irresistible sweets, like pralines, melt in your mouth and go well with the first Croatian sparkling wine Slatinski biser, which has been produced since 1864. to enjoy the tastes of traditional Podravina cuisine you must visit Zlatni Klas in Otrovanac.
(Photo credit: Matija Turkalj)
There is no real gourmet who has not heard of this restaurant, and if you didn’t know, the kitchen in Pustara Višnjica was taken over by brother and sister Goran and Gorana Kočiš, a famous chef and pastry chef of the Michelin-crowned Zagreb restaurant Noel.
