Lonjsko polje - a symbiosis of man and nature

Lonjsko polje is one of the largest and best-preserved natural floodplains in Europe and the second largest nature park in Croatia. On the European map of "natural features", Lonjsko polje occupies the first places: it is one of the last areas in Europe where traditional grazing has been preserved where cattle graze freely on large, common pastures and was the first declared stork village in Europe. Lonjsko polje is an area of invaluable and unique biodiversity and is the right choice for all nature lovers. Lonjsko polje Nature Park was declared in 1991, and a year later, by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, it was placed on the list of natural areas of international importance.

The largest complexes of natural and preserved floodplain lowland forests in Europe are located in the Lonjsko polje Nature Park. It is located in the alluvial plain of the Sava River in the central basin of the river, between the towns of Sisak and Stara Gradiška. Lonjsko polje consists of three fields - Lonjsko, Mokro and Poganovo. With an area of 50,650 hectares, it is one of the largest protected wetlands in the Danube basin and is one of the most endangered wetlands in the world.

Like the three lakes, there are three entrances to this Nature Park. One is in the village of Čigoč, the other in Krapje, and the third in Repušnica and each entrance offers a special experience.

Čigoč is a village that has been officially the first European stork village since 1994. In a large number of houses or barns storks make their nests. Almost a hundred genera live in about thirty active nests. In fact, it is home to more white storks than inhabitants and according to the number of nests, the place has the largest population of storks in Europe. Each of these nests weighs several hundred kilograms.

In Krapje there is a rich ethnographic collection consisting of over 170 objects that are mainly made of textiles, wood and ceramics. Ethnographic objects are the product of folk handicrafts of self-taught producers or old crafts and trades. All of them are related to the people's life and the way of working for the rural family of the Krapje settlement.

Lonjsko polje is home to 2/3 of the birds of the total population in Croatia, so if you are a fan of birdwatching, this is the ideal place for you. Lonjsko polje is an Important Bird Area (IBA), which means that it is a place of global importance and importance for bird conservation. In addition to birds, river fish like to live here, for which the area is ideal as a hatchery, and in addition to birds and fish, after the waters that flooded the area return to the riverbed, wet pastures are home to many animals that graze there. Lonjsko polje is the area with the highest concentration of autochthonous breeds in Croatia as Croatian Posavina, Slavonian-Srijem gray cattle, Turopolje pig.

If you want to explore the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park from the air, head to one of the 3 viewpoints: Osekovo, Rezac and Žličarka where a beautiful panoramic view of wildlife, birds and the diversity of flora and fauna awaits you.

You can find local tourist farms where you can taste traditional Posavina cuisine and enjoy local food in every part of Lonjsko polje.

Lonjsko Polje Nature Park is run with the slogan "Discover the Undiscovered". They respect all measures and recommendations of epidemiologists, almost all tourist facilities are outdoors. Lonjsko polje is a hit among excursionists and a desirable tourist destination for a reason. On foot (4 hiking trails), by bicycle (325.6 kilometers of bicycle paths), by horse (equestrian route 5 km), canoe, ferry (Vodomar, 15 m ferry) or by boat (solar-powered boat on Stug river), discover for yourself the uniqueness of Lonjsko polje. And no matter what time of year you come, every time you will be greeted by something fantastic in Lonjsko polje.