Batina

http://www.draz.hr/

Location (county, municipality)

Batina is situated on the river bank of the Danube. It is one of the six settlements in the municipality of Draž, Osijek-Baranya County. It is 48 km away from Osijek and 29 km from Beli Manastir. The bridge in Batina links the Croatian region Baranya to Vojvodina region.

Historical background and development

The village of Batina was founded in 1720, when it was populated by the Croats, Hungarians Serbs and Germans. According to historical sources, it dates back to as far as the Roman period. Its original name was Kurszug, then the Hungarian name was Köszeg (Kö - stone, szeg - edge).

Current situation (Economy, public institutions, tourism advantages, etc.)

Although a small settlement, prior to war Batina was attractive both in terms of industry and tourism. Its slow recovery started after reintegration. Most of the population is involved in agriculture, fruit growing, viticulture, wine production, and tourism and catering activities.

Batina has all necessary infrastructures: the local government, a primary school, a community centre, a dispensary, a pharmacy, veterinary service, fire-fighters, a grocery and a post office. There is also a gauging station measuring the Danube water level.

Due to its position between the slopes of Baranjska planina and the river Danube, this settlement is of great value, rich in cultural attractions and archaeological sites. The hill Bansko brdo provides a beautiful view of the Danube, Vojvodina plains as well as of Hungary and Baranya.

Batina is surrounded with summer houses on Zeleni otok (an island) and slopes of Baranjska planina. Typical forms of Baranya architecture (gators – wine cellars with typical entrance buildings) are also part of the identity of Batina.

Fishing waters Stari Dunav near Batina (old river bed) and the current river bed of the Danube near Batina are, among other fishing waters in the municipality of Draž ( Dunavac, backwaters Šarkanj and Vrpolje, bakwater Nijagara, Bučka lake), some of the most appreciated fishing destinations, not only in Croatia, but also in Europe.

Tourism attractions by importance (emphasis on sports related to the river Danube; monuments, events, hiking, cycling, eco-tourism)

Batina and Zeleni otok, a traditional excursion, weekend and fishing destination, are the most important tourism locations in the municipality of Draž. Batina area has a long tradition as an excursion and transit area, which was visited by many people in the past because of the historical event that took place here (the Battle of Batina (1944). There is also a monument dedicated to this event made by a well-known Croatian sculptor, A. Augustinčić. The monument is erected highly above the Danube.

Registered cultural goods in Batina include: the Victory Monument; archaeological sites “Gradac and Sredno” (a prehistoric and Roman site; a grave of a Roman soldier) and “Grovišće” (a prehistoric site). The parish Church of St. Valentine (Roman Catholic Church) is listed among protected cultural goods, while the Memorial of Soldiers of the 51st Division killed in the Battle of Batina (1944) is on the list of goods of local significance.

In Batina there is also an Association of wine growers and producers and the Hungarian cultural society “Kiskoszeg”, which has organized a harvesting event (Berbene svečanosti) for the past ten years.

There is also the Regatta of Peace, taking place from Batina to Vukovar, and biker meet in Batina (Zeleni otok), with bikers coming here from all over Europe.

Among cultural events there is the Art Colony in Baranya, which traditionally takes place every year in September (Zeleni otok), with academic painters and sculptors. This event has resulted in a rich collection of paintings exhibited in the gallery of the Art Colony in Baranya, near the monument dedicated to the Battle of Batina.

There is also a folklore event Baranjski bećarac, taking place in June, where folklore societies from Baranya and abroad present their traditional songs.

In November 2010 construction of a passenger port in Batina was announced. The port is intended for cruisers of European travel agencies which are engaged in the marketing of tourist attractions on the Danube, and it should be a driving force of tourism development in Baranya, utilizing the tourism opportunities of the Danube.

Tourism and accommodation

One of the most important tourism facilities is the restaurant “Dunav čarda”. There are no accommodation capacities in Batina, but accommodation is available in the towns Beli Manastir and Osijek, and nearby villages.

Source: http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batina; http://www.inet.hr/~ztardik/hr/index.html; http://www.draz.hr/