This quiet town in eastern Croatia has a Baroque castle from 1811, surrounded by an English garden. The Pejačević family's former residence now houses a museum.
Našice, a town in eastern Croatia's Slavonia region, sits at the foot of Krndija mountain. Walk through the active main square where locals gather at cafes around a central fountain, or explore the 19th-century Pejačević castle with its art gallery and museum. You can attend mass at the 14th-century Gothic church, catch fish at Lake Lapovac, or watch animals at the private zoo in nearby Markovac Našički.
Life Around the Main Square
The main square buzzes with activity throughout the day. Children splash in the central fountain during summer afternoons while their parents chat at nearby cafe terraces. Local festivals, like the annual Summer Cultural Festival in July, fill the square with music and food stalls. Small family-owned shops and businesses line the edges, from bakeries to clothing stores.
The Pejačević Castles
Two castles from the Pejačević family stand in the town center. The main castle, built in 1812 and expanded in 1865, contains the County Museum and art gallery. Four round towers mark each corner of this classical building. The smaller castle, built in 1905 as a hunting house, now functions as a school. Both buildings sit within English-style gardens with rare tree species and walking paths.
Religious Architecture
The Franciscan Monastery and Church of Saint Anthony of Padua anchor the end of the main square. Built in the 14th century, the Gothic church has pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and medieval frescoes. The monastery maintains daily services and welcomes visitors to its chapel.
Lakes and Recreation
You can fish at Lake Lapovac and the Našička Breznica fishpond, which span 11 square kilometers. The area has designated spots for both shore and boat fishing. For sports, you'll find tennis courts and a football ground with changing rooms and spectator stands. Hunters can arrange guided trips in the Krndija mountain hunting grounds during season.
Local Food Scene
Restaurants in Našice cook Slavonian dishes using local ingredients. Try carp prepared in clay pots, or kulen, the region's spiced sausage. Many restaurants source their ingredients from nearby farms, and you'll often find freshwater fish from local ponds on the menu.
