Municipality of Popovac: Hiking, Wine and Culture

• The Baranjska planinarska obilaznica is 28 kilometres long and takes about nine hours to walk, including short breaks.
• The parish church of sv. Josipa in Popovac dates from 1778.
• The Fišijada, a competition centred on preparing Fišpaprikaš, takes place every year in September.

The Baranjska planinarska obilaznica runs through the areas of the municipalities of Popovac, Draž and Kneževi Vinogradi. Its length of 28 kilometres and walking time of about nine hours, including short breaks, are important details for planning your day. The stated time includes walking with short breaks; therefore, do not plan to fit the route in as a short detour.

From Popovac, you can take one of the wine roads in Baranja. Those interested in exploring in a different way can find several suggested routes at eBike Baranja. These include restaurants, wineries, cafés and cultural attractions as potential stops. This gives you a choice of a long hiking route or routes with a range of possible stopping points.

One notable site in Popovac is the parish church of sv. Josipa, which dates from 1778. There is also Svetište Marija Lurd, the only Marian sanctuary in Baranja. According to oral tradition, this sanctuary dates back to 1916, during the First World War. Visitors interested in religious sites will find both a parish church with a specific historical date and a Marian sanctuary with an origin story passed down through tradition.

Below the village of Branjina lies Studenac, one of the oldest Orthodox open-air sanctuaries in Croatia. Traces of the ancient Brana monastery were also found in the immediate vicinity of Branjina; its existence is associated with the mid-11th century. These sites reflect different religious and historical connections: Studenac is an Orthodox open-air sanctuary, while the monastery traces point to the area's earlier history.

The OPG Milan Šarić estate is located above the village of Popovac on Zlatno brdo in Baranja, in eastern Croatia. From its terrace, beneath the pergolas and from the pool, there are unobstructed views across the fields of Baranja. The estate also has a tasting room with a capacity of 30 people. The landscape, tasting room and views are different aspects of this place; the capacity figure helps you assess the room as an option for a group.

Another local tradition is the Fišijada, held every year in Popovac in September. Women compete in preparing Fišpaprikaš. Popovac also has a strong local angling community connected with the Karašica. Those interested in regional food culture can regard the Fišijada as a recurring seasonal event; fishing is also part of the area's local connection with the Karašica.

For information about the individual settlement, you can also visit the page for Popovac. For comparison, see the pages for Municipality of Bilje, Municipality of Osijek, Municipality of Erdut, Municipality of Bizovac, Municipality of Beli Manastir, Municipality of Kneževi Vinogradi and Municipality of Semeljci.

How long is the Baranjska planinarska obilaznica?

The route is 28 kilometres long and takes about nine hours to walk, including short breaks. It runs through the areas of Popovac, Draž and Kneževi Vinogradi.

Which religious sites are there in the area?

In Popovac, you will find the parish church of sv. Josipa and the Marian sanctuary of Svetište Marija Lurd. The Orthodox open-air sanctuary of Studenac is also located below Branjina.

When does the Fišijada take place in Popovac?

The Fišijada is held every year in September. Women compete in preparing Fišpaprikaš.

For the broader travel overview: Osijek-Baranja County.