What to do in Daruvar?
JULIUS' PARK – A UNIQUE LANDSCAPED PARK IN CROATIA
Julius' Park is one of the most important and oldest landscaped parks in Continental Croatia with an extremely abundant floral fund. Its beginning date back to the second half of the 18th century.
The health resort park has a total surface of 9.5 hectares.
Trees, some of them more than 150 years old, flower parterres, stylistic characteristics of baroque and elements of English-style landscaping all adorn this unique park. Its present design has not changed since its establishment in relation to its basic, conceptual and stylistic design, which gives it a priceless historic and horticultural value.
The health resort has grown along with the construction of the baths, especially during the period of Anton's inheritors Izidor and Julius Janković. Today it contains 60 different plant species.
The health resort park has the stylistic characteristics of baroque with some elements of historicism and English-style landscaping and it is protected as such. There are also historical buildings of immense cultural value dating back to the 18th, 19th and 20th century such as Anton's Bath, John's Bath, Swiss Villa, Villa Arcadia and the Central Mud Bath.
We know it as a fact that the Romans built a public bath on the very spot where warm water emerges. Present Anton's Bath as well as Ivan's Bath, which was destroyed during the Homeland War, were erected upon Roman foundations.
The baroque walks are the axes of the park leading to a small pond with a sculpture of the crane after which Daruvar was named.
Historical Buildings in Julius' Park
Anton's Bath (Antoni-Bad)
The first bath building was erected upon Roman foundations, right at the well or the source of warm water. Count Anton Janković built Anton's Bath in 1762, which makes it the first bath building in the park. There is a covered and captured source of warm water called the Anton's Well.
John's Bath (Ivanov Dom)
This bath was erected upon the foundations of Roman thermae, on the very spot where water emerged to the surface and created a pond. Its construction spanned from 1810 to 1818. A circular roofed pool surrounded by a metal fence (John's Well) was built in front of John's Bath, at the warm water well in front of John's Bath. It was bombarded during the Homeland War, the last week of 1991. The drinking fountain next to the old entrance was also destroyed together with the buildings.
Swiss Villa
A multiple-storey hotel-style building was probably built in 1849 but definitely before 1861. It was originally a Swiss-style summerhouse with a wooden porch intended for accommodating guests. Today it is the administrative headquarters of Daruvar Spa.
Villa Arcadia
It was built before 1860. Today it is an annexe to Health Spa Hotel Termal with 12 uniquely designed accommodation units and a meeting hall adjoining Restaurant Terasa.
Mary's Bath
A smaller one-storey of brick construction and a wooden roof built before 1861. It has two smaller rooms. One of the rooms houses the facility for drawing thermal water. There are outdoor water sources next to Mary's Bach, two with hot water and one with cold water where people used to take baths.
Central Mud Bath
Architect Amadeo Carnelutti built the present Central Mud Bath in a Moorish style with its recognizable dome. The entrance to the bath is situated in the South porch and can be accessed from three different sides. There is a central pool with warm water and rooms for therapy on both sides.
John's Well
The source was covered and captured in the period of Izidor Janković at the beginning of the 19th century.
Bathing Woman
There is a small fountain adorned with a bronze statue called the Bathing Woman in Julius' Park. Antun Augustinčić made it in 1927 and it has been nicknamed Naked Maja, Sad Mara or Sad Maja!
Important Landmarks in Daruvar
Castle Janković
The castle of count Anton Janković from the 18th century situated at the very heart of the town is a protected cultural landmark of first category in the Republic of Croatia and one of the most valuable buildings in the county.
Considering its position, the magnificent baroque-style landscaped park and a menagerie, the caste became the spot around which the settlement started developing into a modern town. The construction of the castle finished in 1777, which classifies it into the category of three-winged 18th-century U-shaped castles. There are about 60 rooms and halls, a concert hall and a salon.
Seventeen windows give the rhythm to the main southern porch with eight more on the side facades situated in the fields captured by pilasters. The central avant-corps has five window axes and finishes into the roof with a triangular ending. Behind this avant-corps is the main salon and there is a closed perched balcony where you can step from the main salon to enjoy the most beautiful view of the landscaped park. The Municipality of Daruvar bought count Anton Janković’s castle in 1920 and situated the Grammar School inside, where it has stayed until recently. The basement rooms of the castle, which are dug a few metres into the earth, have excellent conditions for preserving and ripping of top quality wine. The basement consists of rooms for keeping quality wines of Daruvar Winery with a wine cellar situated among museum exhibits from the Roman times, archives and state-of-the art wine tasting room.
The Oldest Ginkgo Biloba in Croatia
There are two specimen of the deciduous Ginkgo Biloba tree in front of the southern entrance to the Count Janković Castle, a female and a male specimen originating from West China.
It is the oldest type of tree on Earth and has been present for more than 200 million years. The tree in Daruvar is the largest and oldest tree in Croatia while it is the second oldest in Europe. The ginkgo in love from Daruvar was named the Croatian Tree of 2019. In the contest named the European Tree of the Year, it won the second place the same year.
The court park was formed along the construction of the castle. According to the blueprints of Wien architects, it was finished in 1780. The court park has been protected as a part of the urban complex of Daruvar and, together with the castle, as an immovable cultural landmark.
Guided Tour of Daruvar's Landmarks
To make your visit to Daruvar more complete and of better quality, hire a tourist guide that will introduce you to all the peculiarities of our town. For more info, please contact us at rezervacije@daruvarske-toplice.hr or tic@daruvar.hr
Library and Reading Room
Golden Bible
The Bible or the Holy Script is the basic book of Christianity and most Christians own one in their homes. However, to have one in gold in their own town is a privilege of the rare.
Roman Park Forest
In the close proximity of the central town square and Daruvar Spa, there is the Roman Forest, a well-maintained park forest. The Roman Forest is abundant in different plant and animal species on a surface of 20 hectares. It includes the Educational Path, Jewish Cemetery and Julius Brum.
Educational Path
The Roman Park Forest contains 19 educational boards with descriptions of natural, ecological, cultural and historical landmarks of Daruvar Region. The inner part of the forest has marked gravelly paths and benches for resting.
Jewish Cemetery
It is situated in the eastern part of the Roman Forest, next to a well-maintained path. The cemetery dates back to the beginning of the 19th century.
Julius Brum
It is Julius' Well or, in other words, Well of Love. The legend has it that if you drink water from Julius Brum, you will fall in love.
Dark Stone - first Croatian International Park of the Dark Sky in the golden category
It is situated in the close proximity of Daruvar and it extends on a surface of 8000 hectares in the western part of the Papuk Mountain. It encompasses the northern ridge of the West Papuk Mountain and its top peaks Dark Stone at 832 metres of altitude and Black Peak at 863 metres of altitude. Apart from its abundant flora and fauna, the Dark Stone Park is an excellent location for astronomers and astro-photographers who can enjoy watching and photographing the night sky. Astronomers have been using this natural gem and the fact it has been preserved from unnecessary light pollution for many years. In this entire area, there are activities of watching and photographing the night sky and space objects.
Vranjevina Excursion Site
Vranjevina is the closest excursion site situated on the slopes of the Papuk Mountain 4 kilometres from Daruvar at 291m of altitude in the close proximity of Petrov vrh Mountain Lodge. It is a longitudinal terrace surrounded by a forest of beech, beam and oak trees next to a source called “Holy Water”. The water from this source continues until the edge of a steep cliff where it creates a 20-metre tall waterfall. There is also a well-maintained resting spot, outdoor barbecue equipment and the like. From both relief terraces at an altitude of 300 metres, it is possible to have a great view of the picturesque landscape, fertile fields and forests.
The peculiarity of Vranjevina is a steep tectonic slope over which fossil and limestone rock sedimented in a two-metre-thick layer. The steep slope is 22 metres tall and tectonic movements, in other words, faulting, created it. It is presumed that the fossil limestone rock is about 100 000 years old, similarly to the limestone rocks found at Plitvice Lakes.
Hiking
Hiking trails are at the foot of the Papuk Mountain, a quite steep and wooded Slavonian mountain. There is a mountain lodge and excursion site in its western part, at the glade below Peter's Peak (Petrov vrh).
Mountain Lodge Petrov Vrh is nine kilometres from the town centre. It is situated at a forested glade below the peak Petrov Vrh at an altitude of 547 metres. There are green meadows around the lodge surrounded with deciduous and coniferous forest, suitable for camping and right next to it, a sledging run and a ski slope with a ski lift.
Horse Riding and School of Horse Riding
This family agriculture farm with pure breeds for sports and recreation bred at their own farm offers a wide range of activities involving these noble creatures. Experienced horse riders can start an adventure of guided endurance horse riding on the hilly slopes of the Papuk Mountain.
Horse riding as their primary activity is available throughout the day in three separate riding arenas independently or under surveillance and instructions of the host.
Cycling
Our guests have a few bicycles at their disposal during the stay.
Cycling enthusiasts in the area of Daruvar and its surrounding region can try out excellent road and mountain bike routes.
Tourists can rent bicycle in the Tourist Board Daruvar-Papuk. The rent of three bicycles for tourist purposes is free of charge. There are also three electric bicycles available for rent in the Town of Daruvar.
Fishing
In the vicinity of the town centre and right next to the Toplica River and the spacious centennial park, there is a sports pond Jezero managed by Sports Fishing Association “Toplica“. It is an ideal spot for gatherings and relaxation of anglers.
Fish Farming Končanica
Fish Farming Končanica is situated next to the Ilova River and it is among the oldest fish farming establishments.
The sports pond is a part of a tourist and recreation offer and it is open to all visitors. The surface of the fishing pond is 27 hectares with several small islands emerging from it, which makes the landscape more attractive and beautiful. There is a catering outlet and wooden gazebos intended for anglers but also for visitors wishing to relax in the calmness and clean nature of the pond. In addition, the fishing pond has its ornithological value due to a large number of birds who dwell on it or in its close proximity.
Hunting
With its mild climate, abundance of forests, riverside plains, freshwater ponds, vast and plentiful hunting areas, this region offers numerous possibilities of hunting tourism. Our hunting areas are among top hunting areas in Croatia with numerous and quality deer.
Daruvar Wine Roads
The vine cultivation in Daruvar has a centennial tradition and rich history due to the ideal conditions for viticulture and winemaking of the tame sunny slopes of the Papuk Mountain.
The fact that Daruvar has been known for its wines since the Roman Times can be proven by the Diatret glass wine chalice, gridded imperial chalice under the name of Vas diatretum Daruvarense discovered in 1789 in the Roman Forest. Daruvar Wine Road is comprised of seven different spots and it starts in the town centre.
Ballad of Wine and Cheese
A stroll away from the court park, near the town centre and in the complex of the baroque castle of Count Janković, there is a wine cellar of Badel 1862 Winery where they have continued preserving quality wines of Daruvar vineyards whose flavours you can try out together with authentic cheese. For more info, visit http://www.vinskeceste-bbz.hr/.
Daruvar Brewery
Daruvar Brewery is one of the symbols of the town established in 1840 at the estate of count Janković and it is the oldest industrial brewery in Croatia that has been open ever since its foundation.
You can take a tour of Daruvar Brewery in small groups upon prior notice. During the guided tour, you will find out something about the history and present day of the brewery while tasting the well-known Staročeško beer. Daruvar Brewery organizes one-day and two-day tourist packages. For more info, please visit www.beerlist.eu. In the brewery, Staročeško beer, 5th Element craft beer and souvenirs are available for purchase.
If you have some more questions or you would like to find out more about Daruvar and what Daruvar has to offer, please don't hesitate to contact the Tourist Board of Daruvar on +385 43 331 3852 or at tic@daruvar.hr and turizam@daruvar.hr