The Municipality of Špišić Bukovica consists of six settlements: Špišić Bukovica with Novi Antunovac as the administrative center and the largest settlement, Bušetina, Lozan, Vukosavljevica, Rogovac, and Okrugljača.
It covers an area of 107 km², with a population of 4,221 and 1,375 households.
Geographical Location
The Municipality of Špišić Bukovica is located in the western part of the Virovitica-Podravina County. It is bordered to the east by the city of Virovitica and the municipality of Lukač, to the west by the municipality of Pitomača, to the north by the Republic of Hungary, and to the south by the Bjelovar-Bilogora County. It is situated seven kilometers from the county center, Virovitica, 140 kilometers from Zagreb, and 120 kilometers from Osijek. The municipality is excellently connected by transport, both by the Podravina highway and the railway line, which pass through the municipal center of Špišić Bukovica. The Podravina highway also passes through the settlement of Lozan, while the railway line goes through the settlement of Vukosavljevica.
Stretching from the wooded and vineyard-covered Bilogora hills across fertile lowland fields to the Drava River, the area forms a beautiful and unified landscape. The Municipality of Špišić Bukovica consists of six settlements: Špišić Bukovica with Novi Antunovac as the administrative center and the largest settlement, Bušetina, Lozan, Vukosavljevica, Rogovac, and Okrugljača, covering an area of 107 square kilometers.
Archaeological Finds in the Area of the Municipality of Špišić Bukovica
Neolithic Settlement
(4200 – 3900 BC)
The site Bačarov jarak belongs to the Sopot culture, specifically the so-called Brezovljani type. Excavations conducted in 1990 uncovered part of an above-ground house built from wattle covered with clay. The dwelling was about sixty meters long, and a hearth was found in the northern part of the trench. Discovered artifacts include ceramic vessels, stone tools, knives, scrapers, grinding stones, and loom weights for a vertical loom.
Late Bronze Age
(1800 – 700 BC)
This period is represented by the Urnfield culture. A well-known site is Mali Zagreb, a well-preserved settlement that included a burial ground and a metallurgy workshop—an exceptionally rare combination.
Ancient Špišić Bukovica
(1st century BC – 4th century AD)
The area is rich in coin finds from this era. Of particular significance is the Roman main road Ptuj – Osijek. Remains of the road are still visible in the area from Vukosavljevica to Mali Zagreb. The former station Mutatio Kucconim likely ceased to exist following the invasions of Attila.
Medieval Sites of Former Bakwa
Two notable locations stand out: Zidine and Gradina. According to historical records, a Benedictine monastery once stood on the site of Zidine—one of the oldest in Croatia. Gradina, locally known as “Turski grad” (Turkish Town), is a well-preserved medieval fortress with eight defensive terraces and a plateau, including a preserved earthen dam that once filled a large reservoir. Increasing amateur and unauthorized excavations are threatening these entirely unexplored archaeological and archival sites.
Parish of Špišić Bukovica
According to data in the Šematizam of the Archdiocese of Zagreb (1966), the parish of Špišić Bukovica is mentioned as early as 1334. In the 14th century, there was a Paulite monastery here. The current church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1753. The Franciscans from Virovitica have been managing this parish since 1952. Cardinal Franjo Šeper entrusted the parish to the Franciscans “in perpetuum” in 1968, thus Špišić Bukovica became a branch house of the monastery in Virovitica. The current parish administrator is Fr. Oktavijan Nekić, a Franciscan.
Numismatic Typography
The treasure of Bušetina, buried after the year 257, was discovered in 1873. Inside the container, along with gold jewelry, there were eight gold coins and two hundred silver coins from numerous Roman emperors, ranging from Vespasian (69 – 79 AD) to Gallienus (253 – 268 AD). The find was soon dispersed, with part of it being kept in the Franciscan Monastery in Virovitica, while part, thanks to Prince George Schaumberg, was preserved in the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. The treasure of Špišić Bukovica mainly contained denarii from Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490) to Louis II (1516-1526) or John Zapolya (1526-1540).
Tourism
From exclusive tourism to a place for rest and recreation
The natural location of the Municipality of Špišić Bukovica, stretching from the wooded foothills of Bilogora across the plains to the Drava River, along with its wealth of wildlife, provides all the prerequisites for hunting and rural tourism. The premium excursion site “Kinkovo” offers every visitor the peace of the Slavonian forest, and hunters can enjoy a variety of game to hunt. The history of Špišić Bukovica is preserved in the local museum located within the premises of the Municipality of Špišić Bukovica, which the friendly staff will be happy to show you at any time. The spirit of tradition is also reflected in the traditional Ivanjskih fires, which are lit every year on the eve of Ivanja (Feast of St. John on June 24) in the well-known Bukovac park “Čimen.”
The slopes of Bilogora are lined with an endless series of vineyards, giving the area a picturesque appearance. The “Podrum” wine cellar in the settlement of Vukosavljevice has long been an essential stop for all experienced winemakers in the region. There are plans to create a wine route and two cycling paths, one through Bilogora and the other along the Drava River. Špišić Bukovica is the only village in Croatia with the luxury of Hotel Mozart, which has four stars, making it all the more important as it is the only hotel of such rating between Zagreb and Osijek.
Hotel Mozart offers its guests exclusive tourism, a top-tier gastronomic offer, a modern conference hall, “team building” opportunities for company employees, paintball, hunting and rural tourism, outdoor weddings, and many other activities that you can explore on their website.
We hope you will become a valued guest.
