Travel Destinations: Dakovo, Croatia

Croatia is becoming an increasing popular tourist destination for many westerners and for good reason. You can find historical attractions, interesting cultural activities, good shopping opportunities and breathtaking scenery.

Situated 38km (24 miles) southeast from Osijek, the peaceful little town of Dakovo is a wonderful place to visit. You will find more bicycles than cars and the dribbling of basketballs. You can get here from Osijek in about 40 minutes by train.
The best time to visit Dakovo is in the last week of September when the Dakovo Embroidery Festival (Dakovacki Vezovi) is held every year. You will experience song and dance performances plus a wonderful folklore show, complete with traditional costumes. In addition to this, you can also catch a show by the famous Lipizzaner horses that are trained in Dakovo.

What is there to see and do in Dakovo? The town centre is a great place to start. In the centre you will find the imposing neo-Gothic Dakovacka Katedrala (Dakovo Cathedral). This was commissioned by the Bishop of Dakovo, Josip Juraj Strossmayer (1815 – 1905), and was designed by the architect Frederick Schmidt who did an amazing job. It took two decades to get it finish and is renowned for its three nave structure and two steeples which tower up to 274 feet. They look like beehive cones on either side of the entrance and a pinnacled cupola. Inside you will find wonderful colourful scenes from the Bible, especially of the life of St. Peter, who is the patron saint of the cathedral. Raise your heads upwards and gaze upon a breathtaking blue ceiling sprinkled with gold stars.

If you are a lover of museums, take a walk up the road from the cathedral to the Spomen-muzej Biskupa Josipa Jurja Strossmayera (the Strossmayer Museum). Here you will learn about the life of the bishop who had great influence on the town and throughout Croatia.

The Lipizzaner Stud Farm is not too far from the train station, you will be able to tell by using your nose. These are the famous white horses who are trained in Dakovo.

Where do you stay when visiting Dakovo? There are no many options here as Dakovo is a small town, but there are several choices to suit your budget range. The more elaborate, the higher the price. Why not stay at the Croatia Tourist Hotel, as their restaurant is the best in town. The food is absolutely delicious and is situated in a good central location.

Dakovo is a wonderful place for the traveller to really get the feel of tradition, authentic Croatia. Why not explore this lovely town; you will not be disappointed.