Vrpolje: Hotels and accommodations

Vrpolje combines the history of Ivan Meštrović with regional culture and places for outdoor recreation. At its heart is the Spomen Gallery of Ivan Meštrović, a specialized museum dedicated to the sculptor Ivan Meštrović and the cultural history of Vrpolje.

Culture and history

Ivan Meštrović was born in Vrpolje on August 15, 1883, and baptized in the town’s parish church. The parish church of St. John the Baptist was built between 1772 and 1774. Its interior also houses Meštrović’s bronze statue of John the Baptist.

The Spomen Gallery of Ivan Meštrović opened in Vrpolje on June 3, 1972. It presents 35 sculptures and reliefs made of plaster and bronze; the adjacent Church of St. John the Baptist also preserves four of his works. Together, the two sites form part of a larger Meštrović collection in Slavonia. The gallery also displays around 40 works by the artist.

The sculptures “Mother and Child,” “Meštrović at Work,” and “Head of a Šokica” stand in the park in front of the Meštrović Gallery. Since January 18, 2025, Meštrović’s sculpture “St. John the Baptist” has also been on display there.

During 2024, visitors could also tour the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and see four of Meštrović’s works there.

Tradition and regional cuisine

The Eko Etno Kuća in Vrpolje presents collections of traditional costumes and historical objects. The center also includes replicas of objects found at the Dobrevo archaeological site. The ethnographic collection provides insights into everyday life in Slavonia around a century ago.

The archaeological exhibition at the Eko Etno Kuća includes finds from a local site dating from the Late Bronze Age, including replicas of urns. The center also offers educational workshops and events, including an Eko-etno fair. Its offerings are complemented by an eno-gastronomic selection characteristic of the area. The Eko Etno Kuća began operating and opened to visitors in 2024.

Recreation in the Ciglana area

The Ciglana area in Vrpolje features a landscaped pond intended for fishing. Fishing there requires a valid permit. Ciglana also has a tennis court with free access. Barbecuing is possible by prior arrangement.

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Vrpolje can continue their accommodation search afterward.

For the broader travel overview: Općina Vrpolje.