€10.5M INVESTMENT INTO ORAHOVICA LAKE TO BOOST TOURISM IN SLAVONIA

For all those looking for forms of refreshment alternative to the Adriatic sea, we’ve got good news. The renovation of the “biggest swimming pool” in Slavonia, the Orahovica lake, is finally in progress.

After the construction of sports fields and sanitary facilities, the construction of 14 bungalows and a hotel on the lake awaits. Central Slavonia thus gets the most modern continental tourism destination in the region, writes Poslovni.

The development project of the tourist-recreational center “Jezero Hercegovac Ružica grad” is worth ten and a half million euros. It is financed by European funds, of which nine million is non-refundable. This should prolong the tourist season but also solve the problem of the lack of accommodation capacities in Orahovica and its surroundings. The lake was emptied and cleaned this spring.

NEW ACCOMMODATION CAPACITIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

“The construction of 14 bungalows on the lake is nearing completion. Those 14 bungalows can accommodate 28 people. And through this project, we will build a hotel that will accommodate 52 people,” said Saša Rister, mayor of Orahovica.

“The Orahovica lake, although it is artificial, has a constant flow of water from Papuk, which means it is continuously refilled with fresh water”, explained Lana Jurkin, head of the tourist board of Orahovica.

Orahovica and its surroundings are in the area of Papuk Nature Park, which, due to its valuable geological heritage, is part of the European and world association of geoparks and the first geopark in Croatia. Therefore, the tourist and recreation center will be specially equipped.

“We are purchasing an electric train that will be used to drive tourists from Orahovica, around Orahovica, and on the lake. We are also acquiring buggies that will be used for driving, regular and electric bicycles, and a minibus with 16 seats that should arrive by the end of the year,” said Rister.

ORAHOVICA LAKE AS A FAMOUS CLIMATIC HEALTH RESORT

Back in Austria-Hungary, Orahovica was a famous climatic health resort, which is also rich in historical sights and localities.

“This is, of course, our Ružica town, the oldest fortress in this part of Croatia. There is also the old town, the Hercegovac mansion and the Hercegovac lake, where a zipline across the lake will be set up. Other hidden gems include the monastery of St. Nicholas and Antina’s cave, which is hidden and can only be reached by mountaineers,” said Jurkin.

The project will be completed by the end of the year. It will create new jobs as well. In addition to twenty full-time employees, there will be another thirty during the summer season.