Municipality of Velika Kopanica – Folklore and History

Velika Kopanica is located in Slavonia. The town is 7 km south of Vrpolje and 19 km south of Đakovo, and around 40 km east of Slavonski Brod. The Zagreb–Lipovac motorway is about 3 km away. These reference points give you a geographical overview to help you choose your destination.

Hostel Đeram is listed at Ivana Filipovića 108. Check current availability and operations before your trip.

Cultural history in Velika Kopanica

The settlement of Kopanica was first mentioned in 1579, during Ottoman rule. After the end of Ottoman rule, Franciscans came to Kopanica from the Modriča area and established a monastery there. The parish church of the Prophet Elijah was built in 1773. If you would like to visit the church, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

KUD Ivan Filipović was founded in 1901 and, in 2024, had been active continuously for 123 years. The association preserves the folklore of Velika Kopanica and traditional national costumes. Each year, it organizes a folklore event celebrating the old custom “Vidit će se na svetog Iliju, koja cura ima đuvegiju” (“On Saint Elijah’s Day, it will be seen which girl has a suitor”). In the past, KUD performed at major folklore events in Croatia and abroad. If you would like to plan your trip around the annual event, check the dates in advance.

Municipal symbols are also part of the town’s history. The municipal council adopted the coat of arms and flag in 2008; the 2009 municipal statutes describe both. The flag is green and bears the coat of arms. The municipal symbols thus complement the town’s religious and folkloric connections with an institutional perspective.

Brod-Posavina as a regional setting

The wider Brod-Posavina destination offers other cultural, nature, and active travel options. In Vrpolje, the collection at the Spomen galerija Ivana Meštrovića includes 35 sculptures and reliefs in plaster and bronze. In the special ornithological reserve Bara Dvorina, a replica of an Ottoman border watchtower is used for birdwatching. Stara Kapela lies in the heart of Brod-Posavina County, in a small valley between gentle hills. The eco-ethno village there offers several kilometres of walking and cycling paths, designated rest areas, and viewpoints; check the current availability of the facilities before your trip.

For hikes in Brod-Posavina, two marked routes with different distances and durations can be compared: Strmac–Brezovo polje is 7.1 km long and listed as a three-hour route, while the circular trail around Lake Petnja covers 18.8 km and takes five to six hours. Brod-Posavina County also has around 30 classified cycling routes, divided into western, central, and eastern areas. Some run through lowland areas along the Sava, rural areas, wetlands, and pastures. Check the latest route information before setting out on a particular ride.

Discover more destinations: Velika Kopanica, Municipality of Nova Gradiška, Municipality of Oprisavci, Municipality of Sibinj, Municipality of Rešetari, Municipality of Brodski Stupnik, Municipality of Garčin, Municipality of Staro Petrovo Selo.

Go to the broader travel overview: Brod-Posavina.