Nature Park Papuk

Nature Park Papuk is a perfect place for sport and recreation. It is a popular destination for mountaineering, bicycling, but also for lovers of extreme sports such as free climbing or paragliding. On the western edge of Slavonia, on the slopes of Papuk, the small town of Daruvar is located. The golden valley is the title for the valley in between the mountains Psunj, Papuk, Krndija, Dilj and Požega mountain. The centre of the „Golden valley“ and the capital of Western Slavonia is the town of Požega. Here is the main settlement that already existed in the Roman period, while Požega as we know it today began to develop in the middle ages. In the centre of the town take in the baroque square, the old churches – Saint Lawrence, the Franciscan monastery and the Theresian cathedral. Afterwards travel to Kutjevo where on the slopes of Papuk and Krndija are cultivated the finest varieties of grapes. Go into the old wine cellar which was founded in the 13th century by the Cistercians, and where you can taste the respected Kutjevo wine. Aside from the Kutjevo cellars, wine enthusiasts can visit some of the private vineyards like Krauthaker or Enjigi. This is also the region of developed ecological production so there are a large number of eco farms. In the summer months, welcome refreshment is offered by the Velika resort with its open air swimming pools. Above Velika, the southern slopes of the Papuk nature park, there is a region with the greatest number of endangered, protected rare species of plants. Here are the remains of medieval fortresses from the 13th century and valuable archaeological finds from the older Iron age. The Park authorities have made an illuminating trail „Lapjak“, which follows the mountaineering trail and along which can be found educational boards.