This baroque city in central Croatia has Europe's largest annual cattle show and sits near Bilogora mountain's wine country. Students bring energy to its streets and festivals.
Bjelovar, a city of 36,000 in central Croatia, welcomes visitors with its white stone music pavilion, 18th-century churches, and converted synagogue cultural center. You can explore the central park's historic statues, watch performances at the annual BOK theatre festival, or visit the upcoming Terme Bjelovar thermal complex, scheduled to open in 2026.
The Central Park and Historic Pavilion
The main park forms the city center of Bjelovar, with Europe's largest stone music pavilion at its core. Four 1770s statues commemorate the city's military beginnings. Walking paths wind through 18th-century gardens, connecting different parts of the downtown area.
Religious Architecture Through Centuries
The Baroque Cathedral of St Teresa of Ávila dates to 1772, with its distinctive yellow facade and twin bell towers. The Orthodox church contains interior work by Austrian architect Hermann Bollé, while the former synagogue now serves as a cultural center, maintaining its original 19th-century architectural details.
Art and Museums
The Bjelovar City Museum displays the private collections of Habsburg railwayman Heinrich Kamer and entrepreneur Ivan Barešić. You'll find permanent exhibitions of works by local artists Edo Murtić and Vojin Bakić. Each spring, the BOK theatre festival brings Croatian theater productions to multiple venues across the city.
The New Thermal Complex
When completed in 2026, Terme Bjelovar will include six pools, including an Olympic-sized swimming facility. The complex will run on geothermal energy, making it Croatia's first fully sustainable thermal spa. Plans include a 130-room hotel and the Garden House tourist village with 35 apartments.
Sports Legacy
RK Bjelovar's handball team won multiple European championships in the 1970s. The city maintains this athletic tradition with modern sports facilities, including the upcoming Olympic pool designed for international water polo and swimming events.
