The eastern edge of the country is found in Vukovar-Srijem. The road follows the powerful Danube River border road. You will drive past huge fields of sunflowers and wheat on your way to the town of Ilok. Stop at the Vučedol museum to see a clay bird that is 5000 years old. It was made by an ancient people who were very good at art and science. The river here is very wide and you can see across to the other side. It is a place where the earth is rich and the history is very deep.
The roads go into the Spačva forest. This is the largest oak forest in the whole world. It is home to wild boars and red deer that roam among the giant trees. The land is very flat and you can see the horizon for miles. It is a place where farmers work hard and the soil gives them back many gifts. You can buy plum jam and local honey from small stalls along the road. The honey is dark and thick with the taste of the forest. The people here are very kind and always have a story to tell about the river.
Visit the Principovac Country Estate near Ilok for a glass of Traminer wine while overlooking the endless vineyards of the Srijem region. In Vukovar walk to the Water Tower which is a symbol of the city’s strength and offers a 360-degree view of the Danube. For a forest escape visit the Adica Park in Vukovar to walk through the oak trees on a floating path. If you are a history lover explore the Vinkovci Municipal Museum to see the "Orion" pot which contains the oldest European calendar. Eat a "Srijem breakfast" with kulen and fresh cheese at a local farm to experience the true flavors of the far east.
Vukovar Srijem highlights
- Vukovar Water Tower Visit the tall tower that stands as a symbol of the city on the bank of the Danube. You can take a lift to the top for a view of the river. The tower shows the scars of the past but stands very strong today.
- Vučedol Culture Museum See the site where a famous clay bird was found five thousand years ago. The museum is built into the hill and shows how ancient people lived there. You can learn about the oldest calendar in Europe and see ancient art.
- Ilok Royal Cellars Taste the wine that was served to kings in the tunnels deep under the town. The cellars are hundreds of years old and stay cool all year long. The town of Ilok is surrounded by thick stone walls and many vineyards.
- Spačva Oak Forest Drive through the largest forest of oak trees in the world near the city of Vinkovci. The trees are huge and the forest is full of wild deer and birds. It is a very quiet place where the road goes through a green tunnel.
- Vinkovci River Path Walk along the Bosut river in the oldest town in Europe to see the stone bridges. The town has a very long history and a beautiful central park. You can see the place where the first people lived thousands of years ago.
- Principovac Viewpoint Visit the grand estate on the hill for a view of the endless vineyards of Srijem. It is a perfect spot for a glass of wine and a quiet sunset. The hills roll away toward the Danube river in the distance.
- Sopot Archeology Park See the reconstructed wooden houses of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. The site is located in a green meadow near a quiet river. It shows how the first farmers built their homes and lived in the plains.
- Bošnjaci Forest Museum Stop at this village to learn about the life of the forest workers and the oak wood. The museum has old tools and beautiful wood art to see. The oak from this region is famous for making the best wine barrels.
- Danube River Beach Find a sandy spot by the giant river to watch the big boats go by. In summer the water is warm and people gather to swim and play games. The river is so wide it feels like you are looking at the sea.
- Nijemci Bird Tower Climb the wooden tower near the river to see the many types of birds that live in the marsh. It is a very quiet spot for nature photography. You can take a small boat tour to see the river banks up close.
The local Four
History of Vukovar Srijem
This is the Deep East, where the Vučedol culture built the first sophisticated civilizations in Europe 5,000 years ago. They were the world’s first metal-smiths and astronomers, creating the Orion calendar on the banks of the Danube. Their pottery, famously known as the Vučedol Dove, shows an incredible level of artistic detail and symbolic religious meaning.
The town of Ilok is the Wine Kingdom of the east, home to cellars that have been producing royal wine since the 1400s. The wine from these hills was so good it was served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Even today, the town’s economy is centered on the vineyard, with nearly every family maintaining their own private cellar. The town is a high-walled fortress overlooking the Danube, guarding the golden hills of Srijem.
The Spačva forest is a massive sea of oak, the largest of its kind in Europe. These giant trees were so valuable that the Austro-Hungarian Empire built a whole railway system just to move the wood. The oak from this forest is still used by the world's most prestigious wine producers to create barrels that impart a unique vanilla flavor to the wine. Today, the county is a place of wide-open spaces, high-quality wine and a resilient people who live on the edge of the great river.