Bordered by the Drava and the Danube and divided by the Croatian-Hungarian state border, in the east enchanted by a swamp, in the south and southwest protected by river arms, and in the north and northwest open for connection by wine roads and paths – today Baranja is still very closed, almost isolated and more mystical than ever before. Despite the renovation of old bridges and the construction of completely new ones, regardless of the fact that it is dotted with several internationally important traffic routes and that it is an increasingly interesting tourist destination – Baranja today manages to be special because people there jealously guard their own existential secrets.
They most directly and concretely remember stories older than their families, secrets about life and survival, about love and dying, wines, hot peppers, specific fishing, weddings, bushes, powder rooms, brush houses, peacocks, straw houses and lamps. Thanks to this still existing ethnographic magic, which can be read on the faces of the locals in the settlements off the main roads, Baranja manages to attract, but never fully reveals itself.
SPRING FESTIVAL IN KARANAC 13.04.2025
A traditional fair of domestic products and handicrafts held every year on Cvjetnica in
ethno-village Karanac. The fair revives the former so-called the fair is also a kind of guardian of tradition. More than 80
producers who come from Baranja and Slavonia exhibit their products, and the fair is the biggest event
of this content in Baranja. There is also a rich offer of various flowers, food and wine, and
tambourine music. Every year, a competition for the largest and most difficult is organized as part of the Vašar
bacon, the winner holds the title of Princess of the Smoking House.
VINATHLON IN ZMAJEVEC 31.05.2025
The Vinathlon is a wine event that provided an additional reason to come to Baranja and to the wine mecca
Dragon tree. In addition to the event itself, there is also a wine evaluation – the Duna Champion and a presentation of the competing wines on the longest wine table. The Reformatski Surduk becomes the center of entertainment with concerts and exhibitions by local winemakers. All visitors have the opportunity to taste Baranja wines in a unique atmosphere.
BARANJA WINE & WALK 07.06.2025
A festival of good wine with an emphasis on the promotion of Baranja wines, winemakers and wine roads, as well as culture and art. The Wine & Walk program is a recognizable program where, along with good wine and gastronomy, competitors can enjoy the beautiful Baranja landscape. W&W is one of the largest promotional events in the Baranja region and is the first version of this world-famous concept in continental Croatia. The ninth edition includes a 14km long walk along Bansko Brdo, visiting the most important tourist destinations, and amidst kilometers of vineyards and viewpoints, Walkers have the opportunity to taste wines from over 15 local wineries and taste Baranja specialties.
BRUT 14.06.2025
BRUT, or Baranja rural trail, is a cycling race that takes place on unpaved roads, dirt roads, forests and fields of Baranja. It takes place in the Bansko Brdo area, the only hill in Baranja, which stretches from Beli Manastir in the southwest to Batina in the northeast. The highest elevation of Bansko Brdo is Kamenjak peak at 244 m. The race starts and ends in Beli Manastir, and through its two routes :BRUT25 and :BRUT50 it offers the opportunity to get to know Baranja in a slightly different, more extreme way.
THE LARGEST CROATIAN FISH FESTIVAL 06.09.2025
In recent years, the only city in Baranja, Beli Manastir, has become the center of support for the Biggest Fish Festival
in Croatia. The first Saturday in September has traditionally become the main competition day for all master fish stew makers. Over 250 chefs and teams compete in the Baranja Championship, and the best 30 in the Croatian Championship competition for the best fish. The biggest Croatian fish festival is a prestigious competition that is also gaining an international character with competitors from the region. This event represents tradition, culture, destination, socializing, music, a good drink and a good bite.
WINE MARATHON 26. AND 27.9.2025
An event that brings together wine lovers from all over Croatia in the Baranja wine capital – Zmajevac.
The event lasts 2 days, Friday is reserved for the Premium Wine-Bor Marathon with top wines, and on Saturday the grand finale, the Wine-Bor Marathon. Several thousand marathon runners will visit over 20 wine cellars, and the goal is to drink a glass of wine in each one. Numerous entertainment activities, concerts, presentations of cultural heritage and local producers have been a real lure for tourists from all over the world for 20 years.
WINTER FAIR AND ČVARAKFEST 29.11.2025
On the last Saturday in November, we organize the traditional Winter Fair, Čvarakfest in the ethno village of Karanac. A large fair of domestic products with more than 80 exhibitors from all over Croatia. Tourists from Croatia and various parts of Europe come to the fair to buy cured meats, winter food, and other domestic products that will be used during the winter, as well as to taste Baranja specialties and refresh their palates with Baranja wine and have fun with tamburitza players. In addition to the exhibitors, there is also the offer of cracklings, which are baked on the meadow itself and sold to visitors. Around 20 competitors compete in the crackling melting competition on the fair meadow, and they participate in winning the title of crackling master.
