The “Osijek Cathedral” is a neo-Gothic masterpiece commissioned by Bishop Strossmayer in 1894. Standing 90 meters tall, its bell tower is a dominant landmark and one of the highest in Southeast Europe. Built from red brick by German architects, the interior features frescoes by Mirko Rački and a 2.5-ton bell. Despite suffering over 100 hits during the 1991 war, it remains a symbol of resilience. Interestingly, a nearly identical “twin” church exists in Cologne, Germany.
Dominated by the 84-meter towers of its Neo-Romanesque cathedral, Đakovo is the spiritual heart of the region. The city is world-renowned for its State Stable, founded in 1506, where noble Lipizzan horses are bred—a site that even captivated Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. Beyond its architectural and equestrian fame, Đakovo is a center for viticulture, celebrated for its fragrant Traminac wine and the grand Archbishop’s Palace that oversees the historic town center.
This historic estate blends a medieval Gothic tower—built by the legendary Order of the Dragon—with an 18th-century Baroque palace. Once the seat of the Prandau and Normann families, the castle now houses the Regional Museum of Valpovo. Visitors can explore the fortress’s military past, admire one of Croatia’s finest organs by master Joszef Angster, and relax in the expansive surrounding park, making it a perfect blend of noble history and natural beauty.
The heart of the Old Town features the Holy Trinity column, a stunning 1729 Baroque votive monument built to ward off the plague. Surrounding the square are historic landmarks like the City Guardhouse, now the Archaeological Museum, and the Franjo Kuhač Music School. An ancient ginkgo tree stands as a silent witness to the square’s past. The area celebrates local heritage, including the legacy of Kuhač, who proved the influence of Croatian folk music on greats like Haydn and Beethoven.
Built in the early 1700s as a massive star-shaped defense against the Ottomans, Tvrđa was once a pinnacle of military engineering. Although most walls were dismantled in the 20th century, the iconic Water Gate and parts of the Crown Fortress remain. Steeped in legend, the site is rumored to hide a lost Habsburg imperial treasury and the bricked-in remains of its architect. Its Baroque streets once served as a sanctuary so secure it housed the Empire’s wealth during the Napoleonic Wars.
The heart of Našice is the Pejačević family’s Baroque castle, which now serves as the city museum. Surrounded by a lush park and scenic fishponds, the estate offers a peaceful retreat. It’s a place where local history, from noble life to the tales of forest robbers, comes alive against a backdrop of Slavonian nature. The forests of Krndija were once the realm of legendary “hajduks,” including the famous Čaruga, whose capture in 1925 ended a romanticized era of banditry.
Near the ferry “Kompa,” a unique mill-boat honors Osijek’s history as a 19th-century milling hub. At its peak, 60 mills dotted the Drava, making the city a regional leader in cereal and bakery production. Though the last original mill stopped in 1944, the “Miller’s Route” project revived this legacy. Today, the vessel serves as a memorial to a respected craft that shaped the city’s identity and its modern industrial giants like Mlinar and Žito.
This town is home to the stunning Mailath Castle, one of the youngest and most unique castles in Croatia. Built in 1905 in the English Neo-Gothic style, it was designed to impress Emperor Franz Joseph during his visit. With its ornate towers and characteristic Tudor-style windows, the castle looks like it was plucked from a British landscape. It stands as a testament to the Mailath family’s ambition and adds a touch of architectural flair to the Slavonian plains.
Founded in the 19th century as an industrial hub, Belišće is a unique example of planned worker settlements. The city center is dominated by the Gutmann Palace, the former home of the founding industrialist family. Visitors can see preserved industrial architecture, including the charming houses of “Pekmez Street” and the “Great House.” These sites reflect the town’s origins as a massive forest-industrial complex, where the lives of workers and owners were closely intertwined.
Nicknamed “Kopika,” this sandy Drava riverside beach has been Osijek’s top summer spot since 1965. Offering pools and a view of the city’s landmarks, it provides a festive atmosphere at a symbolic price. Nearby, the “catacombs” within the Crown Fortress—the northern part of the old fortifications—host the lively “Days of the First Croatian Beer” every September. It is a premier destination for those seeking a mix of summer relaxation and vibrant local tradition.