08.08.2019.
Požega, beautiful little town surrounded by hills offers views full of green landscapes that can be catched on every side. It is situated at the eastern part of Croatia, in western Slavonia, between the towns Nova Gradiška and Slavonski Brod.
Požega and its valley are decorated with five mountains: Psunj, Papuk, Dilj, Krndija i Požeška gora. Formerly known as Slavonska Požega, town has developed itself from being boring little town through my childhood to peaceful place for every taste.
Požega and its promenades
Dominated by the statue of plague in the centre, the town shares many beautiful promenades with its citizens. Recently built promenade is the one near the river Orljava, which gives the town very attractive shape. Of the early occurence is the Old town in the centre, an interesting little hill, the nature alone.
Old town is surrounded with beautiful park and the small swings which reminds me of the childhood. Properly in front of the park starts central promenade, newly renovated together with the cathedral. Central promenade is the inviting walking area.
The main peak Sokolovac is only half hour from the centre guiding us through the enchanting forest and educational trail at the first steps of Požeška gora. Spring with fresh water is in the middle of this path, with even two its sources.
It’s little not to be overwhelmed with another beauty of Požega and that is Park near Zvečevo, the chocolate factory. Right next to the Orljava promenade, this park is like a little forest, small yet elegant. During sunny days chattering of crows is like a simphony specific to this place. It lets you enter into a new world, where you’re a character in your own novel. Smells from the chocolate factory remind me to the walks in Maksimir Park in Zagreb, where you can sense the fragnances of Kraš chocolate factory. It’s like a fairy tale, isn’t it?
The bridge decorated with small love chains is like crossing from one fairy tale to another. Specially when that another offers a large meadow with all shapes of trees, little house for books being a donation of a local library with very cute dog painted on it and the statue of Nikola Tesla. We all know who was Nikola Tesla, right? And why is that statue in the park is the unknown fact. That meadow is a host to many events in Požega, from moto bike challenges to fairs of a healthy lifestyle and even concerts.
New face of Požega
Even if economic situation is not fantastic, the town grows in cultural and sport sense. New swiming pool has open its doors this summer, there was a pop concert as a welcoming symbol. Whatever the opinions of people, swiming pool is a great resort when there are not natural resources like rivers or lakes, even sea. Sea is the option who likes going somewhere further. Swiming pool in Požega offers its embrace when the popular one in Velika has closed and is not recovering after years. One hour of free swiming in the evening remains the specific in Požega.
Having a promenade near Orljava is a great thing, because once dark becomes enlightened place out of reach of the dogs that can jump at you any moment. Many sport facilities enable young teams to find its place, and thus recreational centre becomes a great meeting point not just for sport people but for anyone. Second of three book boxes finds its place here along the promenade. The third one is at the playground in Babin vir, area with buildings and skycrapers. From here you can find Orljava that melts with nature with amazing views of the hills.
Aureafest and similar events in Požega
One of the most popular events in Požega has always been the music festival Zlatne žice Slavonije (The golden lyres of Slavonia) which turned out into Aureafest, the beautiful manifestation of a week. Traditional instrument tambura (similar like guitar but smaller) is the main element in the whole story. Aureafest includes every day different type of festival like jugglery, fashion and hairstyle, jazz evening, popular concert and competition evening (popular style and tambura style). As the great spices to all this are different stages across the town with musical and juggling elements. Aureafest thus becomes a way of life, a way to build a future. It’s always nice to meet local instruments and melt with local life.
Požega invites the guests the whole year through. Cultural summer has proved that people all around Croatia have the reason to visit Požega. Not only concerts for Ivanjski krijes in June or different exhibitions and musical events. It is also the dancing stage in the Cultural summer. From learning french styles of dances two years ago to italian and spanish the last, workshops are opening their wings. All are welcome. Original teachers from France had also the chance to meet Požega.
Požega has a dancing scene in general. We can thank this to Ilijana Lončar and her Plesokaz and Marina Mihelčić with different performances, these are the oldest studios in Požega. Plesokaz is full of inovative strength all over Croatia and neighbouring countries. Not only dance, poetry is the key to explore Požega valley. This contribution has fulfilled the enjoyment of town by the Association of local poets and painters. New building of music school enabled even more presentations and concerts.
Besides Aureafest and Cultural summer, here are also Festival of one-minute films, day of St.Grgur which is also a Day of a town- 12.March, different Moto meetings and so on…
Studying and local associations
If you’re maybe interesting for studying, Požega offers three different two-year options at the local college department. These are the administrational law, economy and agricultural section (wine business, fruit-growing).
For making the lives of young people more active, there are even two associations. Puma or The Association of Požega’s young activists has the main activity The cycling tour which is not very long, but is very funny with lots of games. It is held once a year for the day which promotes healthy lifestyle in Požega. Even the professional bikers gave their participation. At Puma you can get very sympathic t-shirt written on it- „Ja sam izpožege“, as we say it in one breath. The other association is Oppidum which is the old name for nearby town of Pleternica, as originally their destination was only Pleternica’s area. Their activities are focused around educating and giving various workshops. These includes Job club, Photography club, helping in volunteering, various creative workshops and amusing manifestations.
Where to stay and how to come
If you don’t have your own accomodation, different options are available. Hotel Grgin dol, is near the centre and in the exquisite closeness of the forest. Vila Stanišić, is another beautiful place with its own bakery. Vila Dora, is another beautiful place. Calimero, near the river Orljava is also traditional place to stay in Požega. Zlatni lug, www.zlatniliug.hr, which is little bit away from the centre is another solution, included is a swimming pool or camping. Stari grad ie. Old town lodging comes here also. Other solutions are in nearby Velika or Vetovo.
To Požega you can come from Zagreb, Osijek, Slavonski Brod or Pakrac.
Touristic forum and conclusion
At the beginning of november was held a Touristic forum, the second one. In this presentation we could hear impressions by Rujana Lukač, representative of Home Exchange. In Požega she felt very welcomed, being said that she never felt such hospitality anywhere in the world. Green Gate Travel, tourist agency from Požega introduced us with possibilities to turn Požega into turistic destination by new offers. These include flight in a baloon, ride in the coach like in Vienna and others. As we see, Požega is blooming which will hopefully also improve the economic situation. Požega is not only that little town in the middle of nowhere. There are not many buses a day from central Zagreb and its connection with other parts of Slavonia is not fabulous, it’s even a bit difficult but it’s reachable. I love it because it’s mine and it shows potential, by hills all over the centre it shows life in its heart.
It looks so quiet. Perfect for a relaxing time away from the big city.