Once upon a time, the ancient Romans called this granary of Croatia Vallis Aurea or Golden Valley. One look at the sunset in the Slavonian valley is enough to make sure that the Romans really knew what they were talking about. What is certain is that the wealth of the Golden Valley was transferred to the plate as well. That is why we embark on this adventure with a menu that brings a smile to your face and invites you to visit a region where the hosts will always welcome you with an open heart and a full plate.
In the last few years, word has spread far and wide about "fine" contents in the area of the largest Slavonian mountain Papuk, which, by the way, I adore. You yourself must have thought that the time has come to live a healthy life with wellness, recreation and consumption of healthy foods.
Therefore, I am taking you who have moved from theory to practice, you who are just planning, and you who are tired of the hectic lifestyle, to a continental oasis ideal for resetting the soul and body with wellness and recreation. I want to encourage you to visit the western part of the Slavonian beauty, Papuk.
If you are planning a trip to the east of our beautiful country, in a combination of visits to the popular Nature Park and the first Croatian UNESCO geopark, include a weekend in Daruvar, the most beautiful small town in continental Croatia.
I'm sure you won't regret it. The easiest way to reach it from the direction of Slavonia is via Voćin and Đulovac, the village where Papuk and Bilogora kiss. If you are coming from the Adriatic, ie from the direction of Zagreb, turn off the highway into Kutina, from where numerous signposts or an aunt from a smartphone (read navigation) will take you to "Ždralovo grad".
Whichever way you decide to come, at the very entrance to the city you will be amazed by the view of Papuk, which, according to written sources from 1232, was named after the stream "Papugh". It used to flow through the western part of the mountain, and that was the name of the surrounding area, then the highest peak, and then the entire mountain massif.
West Papuk is, in addition to drinking water springs, rich in thermal springs captured in the 18th century. After the purchase of the Podborje estate (Daruvar area) by the noble Janković family, in 1772 Count Antun Janković wisely used these resources and had several springs captured. He also built swimming pools with the building that is known today as "Antun's bath".
It is important to note that the construction of the baths, on the initiative of Janković, was preceded a year earlier by the construction of the baroque castle Daruvar, the building around which today's city developed. Antun Janković is not only responsible for the development of this continental beauty, but also for his name. Daruvar or "Crane City" comes from the word "gift", which in Hungarian would mean crane and the word "var" which would mean city, and he named it after the crane symbol in the center of the family coat of arms.
ADAM A 200-YEAR-OLD OLD MAN IS WAITING FOR YOU:
In front of the Janković castle, you will be enchanted by the oldest preserved ginkgo biloba tree in Croatia. Citizens call it "Adam", it is more than 200 years old, and in 2019 it was named Croatian Tree of the Year. With this title, he was given the opportunity to participate in the competition for the European Tree in 2020, where he won a high second place.
That the Jankovićs took care of the landscape architecture is also proven by Julijev park, one of the most beautiful and multi-award winning spa parks in Croatia, where, in addition to info boards, you can meet more than 60 different types of plants. There are hot springs in it, such as "Antun's spring", where it is a special experience to wash your hands. You can also walk to "Ivan's spring", the so-called "Well of Wishes" and wish, perhaps, the end of the COVID-19 pandemic? I'm not kidding.
The healing properties of thermal water and healing mud were used by the ancient Romans, and then by the Turks during their conquests in Europe. Today, Daruvarske toplice is a modern and well-equipped center for medical rehabilitation, rest and recreation and prevention in maintaining health.
The Daruvar Spa complex is located in the beautiful centuries-old park of Julija Janković, surrounded by springs of healing hot water and sites of healing mineral mud. The healing properties of the thermal springs of the Daruvar region were realized by the ancient Romans. From then until today, this miraculous gift of nature restores health and vitality to people!
If you feel hungry after reading this article, you are not the only one! I recommend that you pack your suitcase and knock on the door of the Golden Valley - it will give you a view of the richness of the gastronomic scene of the beautiful region and will certainly not leave you indifferent. Have a nice trip
Ja bi došla..al zbog virusa nesmijem iz regije. drugi put možda.