In Brođanci, the “Olimpijada starih sportova” (Olympics of Old Sports) brings sport and folk culture together. The event was founded on 25 February 1973 to preserve local heritage and regional folk traditions. This distinctive focus gives the cultural history of the Municipality of Bizovac a tangible form.
Folk culture in motion
The “Olimpijada starih sportova” takes place every year on the last Sunday in August. Its events include Kandžijanje, Tokač, tug-of-war, stone throwing, horseshoe throwing and sack racing. The range spans everything from tests of skill and strength to competitions with traditional game names. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the date for the relevant year.
The folk costume offers another way to explore local traditions: the Bizovac costume is considered a distinctive Slavonian folk costume. Hungarian influences, as well as influences from Bačka and Baranja, are thought to be present. The permanent “Bizovačko blago” exhibition at the Normann manor house displays original men’s and women’s costumes from Bizovac.
Architectural history and cultural heritage
The architecture also provides clear historical markers. The parish church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist was built in 1802 in a simple Baroque-classical style. Normann Prandau-Ehrenfels Castle was built in the centre of Bizovac in the 1830s. Despite several alterations, it has retained the stylistic features of the period in which it was built. The church and castle thus offer different points of reference for understanding the town’s architectural history.
Another dated discovery concerns Bizovačke toplice: a geothermal spring was discovered there in 1967. The programme of “Bizovačke ljetne večeri” also includes a traditional international Fišijada, featuring cooks who prepare Fiš-paprikaš. If you are interested in this part of the festival programme, check the latest participation details in advance.
Flat landscapes and the Bizovački bajeri
The Municipality of Bizovac is predominantly flat and low-lying. Its present-day relief was shaped by the Danube, Drava, Sava and their tributaries; the elevation ranges from 90 to 100 metres. These landscape details provide a geographical context for the individual settlements and the lakes in the area.
The Bizovački bajeri are a group of several lakes with a total area of approximately 15 hectares. They were created by extracting clay for brick production—their history links today’s landscape with the former use of clay. Fishing is possible at the lakes, and “catch and release” is also mentioned as a popular option. Check the applicable rules before fishing. Swimming and bathing are possible during the summer bathing season. If you would like to swim, check the conditions beforehand.
Getting around by road and rail
State road D2 passes through the settlements of Bizovac, Cret Bizovački and Samatovci, which are part of the Municipality of Bizovac. When planning your trip, this road connection can help you find your bearings; road conditions may change.
The municipality is also served by regional railway line R202 (Varaždin–Koprivnica–Virovitica–Osijek–Dalj) and local railway line L207 (Bizovac–Belišće). There is a railway station in the centre of Bizovac. Check timetables separately before travelling by train. This allows you to take the listed routes into account when planning without assuming specific connections or departure times based on the railway lines’ locations.
Discover more destinations: Bizovac, Municipality of Erdut, Municipality of Semeljci, Municipality of Šodolovci, Municipality of Donji Miholjac, Municipality of Vuka, Municipality of Valpovo, Municipality of Đakovo.
Back to the regional travel overview: Osijek-Baranja County.
