Municipality of Berek: Nature, Culture and History

The Municipality of Berek combines protected nature with a striking monument in Podgarić and the medieval history of Garić grad. For planning your trip, these highlights can be grouped into distinct themes: natural areas, places of remembrance, historic ruins and outdoor activities. This makes it easy to choose your destination based on the themes that interest you most.

Nature in the Municipality of Berek

Moslavačka gora Regional Park is a protected natural area that extends across the territory of the Municipality of Berek. Šimljanka Special Reserve is a forest vegetation reserve. Podgarić is also home to a large lake near the Vila Garić restaurant. These landscape features range from the municipal area as a whole to a specific location in Podgarić.

Monument and memorial site in Podgarić

The Monument to the Revolution of the Peoples of Moslavina is located in Podgarić and is the work of sculptor Dušan Džamonja. It is 10 metres high and 20 metres wide—twice as wide as it is high. Nearby is an ossuary containing the remains of around 1,000 fallen partisans. The two sites’ proximity makes it possible to consider the artwork and memorial together in their shared setting.

Garić grad: History and trail

The ruins of Garić grad are considered a popular excursion destination for people interested in history, nature and hiking. Garić grad is one of the oldest medieval fortified settlements in northern Croatia; its origins date to 1256, when Ban Stjepan Šubić ordered its construction. Visitors can walk along the double defensive walls.

A steep, paved road leads to Garić grad. As road conditions can change, check them before your visit. This allows you to take both the road surface and the gradient into account when planning.

Hiking, sports and other activities

Numerous hiking trails are located in the immediate vicinity of Podgarić. Guided hikes in Moslavačka gora are offered by Vila Garić. Confirm the availability of a guide before your trip.

The Podgarić Sports and Recreation Centre has sports facilities, including a football pitch. Use of the sports facilities is restricted; check in advance whether your intended use is possible. Podgarić also offers opportunities for hunting tourism.

The wider region: Bjelovar-Bilogora

In the wider destination of Bjelovar-Bilogora, the county offers more than 500 km of cycling tourism routes. A 69 km section of the international Lonjsko polje–Balaton cycling route passes through the county. Along the marked cycling routes are excursion destinations, restaurants serving traditional home-style food, covered rest areas, bicycle service stations and smart benches; licensed cycling guides offer tours of the county.

Equestrian tourism is also part of the regional context: the Bilogorska konjička turistička staza is Croatia’s first internationally certified equestrian tourism trail. It is 90 km long and has around 20 “horses welcome” points. If you are choosing between hiking and cycling or equestrian tourism, the hiking options in the immediate vicinity of Podgarić can be compared with the regional cycling and equestrian offerings in Bjelovar-Bilogora.

Discover more destinations: Podgarić, Municipality of Čazma, Municipality of Bjelovar, Municipality of Daruvar, Municipality of Garešnica, Municipality of Veliko Trojstvo, Municipality of Kapela, Municipality of Grubišno Polje.

Go to the wider travel overview: Bjelovar-Bilogora.