This quiet Croatian town in the fertile Požega Valley hosts a celebrated annual grape festival, while local wineries produce exceptional regional wines.
Požega, located in Croatia's eastern Slavonia region, lies in a valley circled by wooded hills and vineyards. The town's central square holds baroque structures like the Holy Trinity Plague Column built in 1741 and the Church of the Holy Spirit with its 58-meter bell tower. Annual events include Grgurevo, where cannons fire over vineyards to mark a 1688 victory, and Kulenijada, where locals display paprika-seasoned sausages alongside Slavonian wines. The Orljava River winds through the area, and trails on Požeška Gora hill pass medieval ruins like Sokolovac Fortress. Since Roman times, this area has been called the Golden Valley, tied to its history of vineyards, farmlands, and routes connecting distant regions.
The Central Square and Its Baroque Buildings
Trg Svetog Trojstva, Požega’s central square, anchors the town’s daily life and history. At its center rises the Holy Trinity Plague Column, created to honor those who survived the 18th-century epidemics. Nearby, the Church of the Holy Spirit displays baroque design with detailed stucco work and a tall bell tower visible across the town. The Franciscan Monastery here holds manuscripts from the 1600s, and the 18th-century Town Hall adds to the square’s symmetry with its clock and arched windows. Cobblestone lanes wind past buildings painted in soft yellows and pinks, reflecting styles from the Austro-Hungarian era.
Annual Festivals and Local Traditions
On March 12, Grgurevo fills the air with cannon blasts and mortar smoke to recreate the 1688 battle against Ottoman forces. During May, short films from the Croatian Minute Movie Cup screen in town, and breeders gather to present local dog breeds. In June, Kulenijada draws crowds to sample smoked sausages paired with crisp Graševina wine from nearby cellars. September’s Golden Strings of Slavonia festival brings folk musicians to compete, while grape harvesters demonstrate traditional methods in the square. Each event emphasizes the town’s ties to farming, winemaking, and communal celebrations.
Exploring Nearby Rivers and Hills
The Orljava River’s clear waters attract anglers casting lines for trout near its Veličanka tributary. Požeška Gora hill, cloaked in oak forests, has paths leading to ruins like the 13th-century Sokolovac Fortress, where a key battle reshaped the region. Cyclists pedal through vineyards and past family farms selling plum brandy and fresh cheeses. Further east, Papuk Mountain’s slopes—part of a UNESCO-recognized geopark—challenge hikers with steep ascents and reward them with views of the valley. The flat fields and gentle hills here suit everyone, whether you prefer a short stroll or a full-day trek.
Traces of Požega’s Past
Požega’s history spans Roman roads, medieval crusades, and Ottoman governance. The Knights Templar once guarded trade routes here, and Ottoman rulers later made the town a regional hub. After losing half its population to plague, the town built the Holy Trinity Column as a memorial in 1741. Local poet Antun Kanižlić helped Požega earn the nickname “Athens of Slavonia” during the 1700s through his literary works. Surviving landmarks include the baroque-era Gymnasium, Croatia’s third-oldest high school, and the Zvečevo chocolate factory, which has operated since 1954.
Local Wines and Traditional Dishes
More than 30 wineries in the Golden Valley grow Graševina grapes, producing crisp white wines with hints of green apple. Kutjevo, 23 kilometers northeast, has cellars in a 13th-century Cistercian monastery where you can sample aged vintages. In September, restaurants serve fiš paprikaš, a spicy river fish stew, during the Fišijada festival. Family-run farms sell smoked ham, rye bread, and štrudla pastries stuffed with poppy seeds or nuts. Try these with a glass of Pozegaška Žlahtina, a light red wine unique to the valley, or a locally brewed ale from nearby microbreweries.
Day Trips from Požega
Drive 20 minutes northeast to Kutjevo to tour vineyards and taste wines in historic cellars. Papuk Nature Park, 40 kilometers east, has trails through forests and past waterfalls like Skakavac, which drops 42 meters into a rocky pool. Lipik Spa, an hour away, invites visitors to soak in thermal pools, while Đakovo’s Lipizzaner horse farm offers tours of its stables. Closer to town, the scattered foundations of Incerum mark a Roman settlement once active in this valley. These nearby spots let you extend your visit, whether you’re here for two days or seven.
