Municipality of Pitomača

• Four protected areas of significant landscape value lie within the municipality’s regional park: Močvarno stanište Vir, covering 1.15 ha; Širinski otok, covering 105.65 ha; Jelkuš, covering 291.85 ha; and Križnica, covering 803.17 ha.
• Kuća Petra Preradovića was built in 1775; in 1968, one of the first museums dedicated to a writer was established there.
• The Pitomača destination includes cycling routes, among them EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail.

Križnica is designated as an area of significant landscape value because of its exceptional aesthetic and biological value. The old course of the Drava and the standing waters there provide habitat for many fish species. The protected landscapes also differ considerably in size: Močvarno stanište Vir covers 1.15 ha, while Križnica, at 803.17 ha, is the largest of the four areas mentioned. The other areas are Širinski otok, at 105.65 ha, and Jelkuš, at 291.85 ha.

With Drava Tour Adventure, you can spot herds of deer and protected sand martins along the Drava. At the Jelkuš sandbank, you can make a brief stop to sunbathe on the wild beach. If you are planning a river trip, you can take a three-hour boat ride from Brodić to Križnica, following the Drava through Croatia and Hungary.

Križnica has no land connection with the rest of Croatia except via a suspension bridge about 2 m wide. The bridge has a steel structure and a wooden walkway. A cable ferry also crosses the Drava. It cannot operate when water levels are low or high. If Križnica is one of your destinations, take these conditions into account when planning your route; the bridge and ferry are two different ways to cross the river.

Kuća Petra Preradovića connects the history of the house with a contemporary interpretation of the poet. It features a walk-through 3D reconstruction of his birthplace in virtual reality. Visits to the Interpretacijski centar Kuća Petra Preradovića are available Monday to Friday with advance appointment booking. Visits outside regular opening hours can be arranged with at least 48 hours’ notice.

On Kladarski breg, TIC Klopotec is home to Croatia’s largest klopotec. A klopotec is a traditional symbol of viticulture in Podravina. At the TIC, you can learn about local cultural heritage and take part in workshops and events. The site also offers panoramic views of the Podravina plains, the slopes of Bilogora and the distant horizons of neighbouring Hungary.

Music and customs also shape local culture. The Festival pjesme Podravine i Podravlja promotes new songs inspired by the culture and heritage of Croatian landscapes along the Drava. Pitomača’s tambura tradition includes the fact that the first tambura ensemble was founded there in 1906.

If you would like to explore the destination by bicycle, you can consider the EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail, one of Pitomača’s cycling routes. Zlatni klas is a starting point for horse-riding tours: the excursion routes are ready, and an escort is provided. OPG CHRESNO also has a wine-tasting venue classified as fully prepared for the tourism market.

Dani pečenjakov is a summer event in Pitomača. It focuses on pečenjak, or roasted corn, which is prepared in various ways and presented to visitors in late July or early August. Thus, alongside the landscape and culture, regional food is also part of a specific event on the calendar. For information about individual places, you can also visit the pages for Pitomača and Otrovanec.

Other municipality pages in the same broader area: Municipality of Orahovica, Municipality of Virovitica, Municipality of Čačinci, Municipality of Lukač, Municipality of Gradina and Municipality of Čađavica.

How is Križnica connected to the rest of Croatia?

The land connection is via a suspension bridge about 2 m wide. A cable ferry also crosses the Drava, but it cannot operate when water levels are low or high.

How can you visit Kuća Petra Preradovića?

The Interpretacijski centar Kuća Petra Preradovića can be visited Monday to Friday with advance appointment booking. Visits outside regular opening hours can be arranged with at least 48 hours’ notice.

How long is the boat ride from Brodić to Križnica?

The boat ride with Drava Tour Adventure takes three hours and follows the Drava through Croatia and Hungary.

When is Dani pečenjakov held?

The summer event takes place in late July or early August. It focuses on pečenjak, roasted corn prepared in various ways.

For the broader travel overview: Virovitica-Podravina.