Location
The area of the Nature Park Kopački rit is located in the north eastern part of the state, which means that it is part of the wider geographical area of eastern Croatia. It is the area that stretches north from the river Drava from the confluence of the Drava and the Danube and upstream on the left and the right bank to the former dock Kazuk. The eastern border of the Nature Park was determined by the state border with Serbia. The Nature Park covers an area of 231 km2.
Istorijat
The management of the area of Kopačkog rit started as early as in Middle Age.
In 1920 it was declared a state hunting place, and in 1967 the area becomes Managed Nature Reserve. It becomes a nature park one decade afterwards. Due its exceptional natural value, Kopački rit was enlisted in 1993 on the List of Ramsar areas. In addition to Ramsar, Kopački rit is also on the list of program IBAs (Important Bird Areas).
Nature
Despite the monotonous plain appearance, the micro-relief structure of Kopacki rit is very complex. Among these, the large cavities, permanently filled with water – so-called lakes stand out; occasionally flooded areas – the so-called ponds and depressions through which the water flows – the so-called waterways and channels. The largest lake is Lake Kopačko and the deepest lake Sakadaško. The channels are a link between the Danube and Drava, and there is a network of channels which make water connections within the wetland. The largest inflow of water in the bogland is from the Danube through Hulovski channel and other channels of the Danube, while the much smaller flow of water comes from the Drava over Renovski and other Drava channels.
The main factor of the rich plant diversity in Kopački rit is its micro relief. Water depth, height and duration of the flood affect differently the types of vegetation. On the one hand there are different types of forests and on the other aquatic and wetland vegetation… The rare and endangered plant and animal species found their home here. Due to its rich fauna the southern part of the Park has been declared a special zoological reserve. Kopački rit is given a particular interesting characteristic by the birds. So far 300 species has been recorded, of which 141 nest regularly or occasionally. Numerous species of mollusks, insects, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are the trademarks of Kopacki Rit.
Sights
Kopački Rit is one of the largest alluvial and moor plains in Europe. The basic ecological feature of Kopački Rit is given by the dynamics of flooding, so that on the intensity of flooding depends the look of the entire area. Mosaic-like arranged parts of marsh land and bogland water change their size, shape and function depending on the amount of supervening water.
Tourism
Promenade of Bijeli Lopoč and a tour of special zoological reserve by a boat is the most attractive part of the tourist offer of the Park. In Tikveš is a residential complex from the 19th century and hunting villa, built by the Habsburgs and used as a hunting center known in a European scale. Park offers to visitors also a tour of the educational path “Stari Brijest “ (“Old Elm”), in the length of 2.5 km.
Connection
The Park is around 20 km away from the nearest city center Osijek, which is connected with the highway with the rest of the state. From the capital of Croatia it is 300 km away by the highway Zagreb – Osijek, exit Osijek, further towards Bilje and Kopačevo. Kopački Rit is located close to the border with Hungary and Serbia. It is connected with Hungary via cross-border points Dubovišica (45 km) and Baranjsko Petrovo Selo (35 km), and with Serbia via crossing point Batine (35 km).
Contact
Adress
PUBLIC INSTITUTION “PARK PRIRODE KOPAČKI RIT”
Titov Dvorac 1 , 31328 Lug, Hrvatska
Telephone
031/285-370
Web: www.kopacki-rit.com
