COUNTRY: CROATIA WINE REGION: BARANJA
ABOUT WINE REGION
Situated between the Danube and the Sava, with numerous channels and lazy waterways cutting across it, the Baranja lowland enjoys a moderate continental climate and boasts ideal vine growing terrain. Fields of wheat and rolling hills covered in vineyards, with charming cottages in between, that’s Baranja. Many of these cottages have wine cellars, some containing 200-year-old barrels.
Osijek is located only 20 km from the confluence of the Drava and the Danube, in the middle of its 2,850 km long course from Germany’s Schwarzwald to the Black Sea. In this part of the European Podunavlje (Danube region) Croatian and old Austro-Hungarian heritage meet, most noticeably in the architecture and rich traditions and gastronomy.
Osijek tourist board (open: Mon to Fri 08:00 – 16:00) Trg Sv. Trojstva 5, 31000 Osijek, Hrvatska (Croatia) (https://www.tzosijek.hr) (tzosijek@tzosijek.hr)
About Destination
For the first visit to Osijek, it is recommended that you visit Tvrđa, a fortified part of the city from the 18th century where you will see some of the most valuable examples of Baroque architecture in Croatia, such as the statue of the Holy Trinity and the General’s headquarters, which is also depicted on 200 kuna notes.
Passing through the large parks and gardens (the city has 17 parks) visitors will come to the Secession district with monumental public and private buildings such as palaces, galleries, the court and the post office.
The parallel road along the Drava river will take visitors to the main square and a walk along the promenade leads to the St. Peter and Paul Co-Cathedral. Completed in 1898, with its 90 metre high tower it is the tallest building in Osijek today and the second tallest church in Croatia’s central and southern Podunavlje (Danube region). Walking further along the river promenade will take visitors to the viewpoint above the Drava and towards the “Kompa”, ferry. Kompa provides a transfer to the left bank of the river to the zoo. A striking view of the entire city can be seen from the suspension pedestrian bridge on which a love padlocks can be left, if the moment catches you, make a memory and always return to Osijek in love…
WEBSITE OF LOCALITY
HOW TO REACH
You can arrive to Osijek by plane (http://www.osijek-airport.hr). The airport is located 20 km away from the city.
You can reach Osijek by train from Zagreb.
The bus station in Osijek is well connected with the region and with regular bus lines to Zagreb, Belgrade and cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From Zagreb via E70 (281 km), or from Pecs (HUN) via E73 and M60 (88 km)
Osijek is also located on the EuroVelo 6 international cycling route.
WINE CELLARS / VINEYARDS:
The word “Baranja” in Hungarian means “the Mother of Wine” and that is why visitors really must explore the oldest cellar. The Belje Winery is the biggest in the region and its old cellar dates back to the 16th century. In the village of Popovac, take time to visit one of the traditional rural households.
