Croatia Forum

[franeymoon]

Even though tourists started coming in larger numbers to
the Lonjsko polje Nature Park, situated in central Croatia, only four
years ago, there is already a massive interest among them for this
marshland. Lonjsko polje is not, however, a typical marshland habitat.
It also attracts attention because of its preserved traditional heritage
that can be felt in many areas – from architecture, agriculture,
cattle husbandry to the traditional coexistence of man and nature.
The story of Lonjsko polje almost always begins with its
two most popular settlements – Čigoč, the European village of storks,
and Krapje, a village of architectural heritage, but anyone coming
to the area will discover countless new surprises given that almost
every part of the marsh hides a wealth of unique characteristics, and
they are all brilliantly fit into the educational and recreational tourist
program that is offered as part of a visit to the Nature Park.
One of the most interesting is the White Stork program in
Čigoč that presents a complete account of the storks, their habitat
and the way in which they make their nests on the typical Posavina
region wooden houses. The loin’s share of these traditional houses,
dating from the 18th century, are located in Krapje, and some have
already been adapted as accommodation facilities. It is precisely
these wooden houses and the storks that have become the mascots
of Lonjsko polje, but they are not the only ones. Among the other
mascots are the Posavina breed of horse, amphibians, spoonbill
birds... and the floodplain forests of oak that cover two thirds of the
entire protected area.
The latest project is to kick off soon – a Frontiersman Route
that will relate the historic significance of the region given that
the southern part of Lonjsko polje was once the border of the former
Military Region and a sort of European ramparts against the Turkish
Empire. A walking path is to be set up in the area and several čardak
– former sentry towers, are to be constructed for tourists.
Besides these programs, every tourist who visits Lonjsko
polje will be able to enjoy the abundance of additional traditional
attractions like folklore, local customs, traditional crafts production,
numerous events, an ethnological collection, tasty regional cuisine
and outdoors recreation programs.

Sisak-Moslavina County Tourist Board
e-mail: wtzg-siska@sk.htnet.hr
web site: http://www.sisakturist.com

Lonjsko polje Nature Park
e-mail: pp.lonjsko.polje@sk.htnet.hr
web site: http://www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr


taken from journalists web newsletter 08/2006 http://press.croatia.hr/datoteke/2585.pdf