Bishop's wine from Slavonia

If beer is associated with monks, wine is undoubtedly associated with bishops. And certainly with the bishops of Dakov, a city in the Croatian region of Slavonia. They became famous as lovers of noble drink, and one of them is the name of the renowned Mandičevac wine.

Dakovo is a picturesque Croatian city, famous for being the home town of the most bishops in the country. It is situated on the site of an ancient Romanesque settlement called Certissa, in the eastern part of Croatia.

Food for the spirit, food for the body

The symbol of Dakov is a huge sacred building with an imposing dome - Saint Peter's Cathedral . It inspires admiration not only with its size, but also with the numbers associated with it. It was made of 7 million red bricks, has 2 slender bell towers, moreover, it houses 7 altars, and the whole is decorated with 43 wall paintings. It is located at Piotra Street, being the most characteristic landmark of the city.

Dakovo attracts gourmets who indulge in local delicacies such as fiš paprikaš (thick fish soup), čobanac (a type of stew) or đakovački kulen (sausage). Undoubtedly, however, the city's specialty is wine. There are legends that the drink from the cellars of the local bishops is second to none. One of the most famous Slavonian wines is Mandičevac , named after one of the bishops of Đakovo, Antun Mandić.

Dakov's many faces

Tourists associate Dakovo with colorful folk festivals, horse competitions and beautiful embroidery. It is vibrant with life for a full twelve months, offering a lot of attractions at any time of the year. During the summer holidays, the Dakovački vezovi folklore festival takes place here, one of the largest of its kind in Croatia. Tourists come from different countries to take part in July's music programs and get to know the taste of regional dishes. A festive, colorful procession wanders the streets of the city, and horse competitions are held at the local hippodrome, during which you can admire the beauty and strength of Lipizzaner horses.

It is also worth coming here in autumn. In October, the traditional craft fair Dakovo Expo "Golden Hands" takes place. During them, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the tradition and culture of the region through a series of lectures, presentations and workshops. The fair has a sales, educational and exhibition character.

During the Christmas season, the State Ergeli Dakovo hosts a musical and stage performance - the Lipizzaners' ball . Due to the high demand, tickets are sold out well in advance every year. Each edition of the baroque performance has a different plot, and all parts are devoted to the history of Lipizzaners.

An oasis of peace and quiet

Tourists visiting the city also pay attention to the unique beauty of the area. In the vicinity of Dakov there are many larger and smaller lakes, tempting for walks, fishing and lazy relaxation by the water. To the west of the city lies Borovik Lake , one of the most attractive carp fishing spots in Croatia. The area around the lake is ideal for camping, and the route around it is a popular recreational trail over 8 km.

Approx. 2 km north-east of the city there is an artificial lake Jošava . It is 4.5 km long and has an average width of 200 meters. It is an artificial reservoir created in the 1960s, the primary purpose of which is to breed fish.

In the territory of Dakov there are 4 lakes called Bajer . They are about 5 meters deep and cover an area of 4 ha. Their presence adds charm to the city, but not only owes its fame to them. A visit to this extraordinary corner of Croatia will not be forgotten by any tourist, because Dakovo is simply magical.