Belišće
The village with a population of 10 000 lies close to the Hungarian border on the shore of the River Drava.
Attractions
Gutmann Palace
Former administrative building of Belišće company, locally called "Main Building" or "Palej“, it was built in 1905 by Baron Edmund Gutmann. It stood for one of the largest buildings of the early 20th century, surrounded by a nice park. It is registered as an A – category cultural monument and listed in the register of Croatian cultural heritage. The interior is decorated in art noveau style. It was built for residential purposes, but was never lived in.
Museum of Belišće
It was opened in 1975, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Belišće. It is located in one of the oldest buildings of the city. The museum also features an old narrow gauge train set which was used for industrial purposes. The collection displays the industrial and technical heritage of the town, and the history of the Gutmann Company and Belišće. Today the museum also contains the Gallery (located in the cellar of the Palace with over 220 art pieces).
River Drava
Drava is often regarded as the „Green heart of Europe“ for a reason: natural, green landscapes, lots of meanders, sandy beaches, islands, abundance of biodiversity and picturesque cottage settlements provide a pleasant view to everyone's eye. It springs in Nature Park Sexten Dolomites in Tyrol region, Italy, only to meet with the Danube 749 kilometres downstream in Nature Park Kopački rit. The origin of the name is presumed to be of the Old Indian Sanskrit and means „fast water flow“. Big part of the Drava River forms the state border between Croatia and Hungary, along the former “Iron Curtain”. That former “hard” border didn’t allow much human activity nearby, and in this way contributed to the preservation of the river banks and the river itself from harmful activities. Along the Drava there are many possibilities for recreational activities such as canoeing, cycling along many paths and routes, swimming on gravel or sandy beaches, angling, wildlife watching.
Accommodation:
Gašo Cím: Ulica Bana Josipa Jelačića 50, 31551 Belišće Tel.: +385 (0)31 663 622 Tel.: +385 (0)91 7262 506
Novosel Cím: Ulica Kralja Zvonimira 31, 31555 Marijanci / Gat Tel.: +385 (0)31 674 164 Tel.: +385 (0)98 334 759 E-mail: seoski@turizam-novosel.comWeb: www.turizam-novosel.com
Anica Cím: Ulica Ljudevita Gaja 17, 31551 Belišće Tel.: +385 (0)31 663 568 Tel.: +385 (0)98 928 0496
Catering:
Fontana Cím: Ante Starčevića 17a, 31551 Belišće Tel.: +385 (0)31 663 011 E-mail: mail@restoran-fontana.comWeb: www.restoran-fontana.com
Bosančica Cím: Željeznička 20, 31551 Belišće Tel.: +385 (0)31 664 996 Web: www.facebook.com/bosancica.restoran
Tourist information:
Tourist Office Address: Kralja Tomislava 206, 31551 Belišće Tel.: +385 (0)31 662 061 Tel.: +385 (0)99 242 4199 E-mail: tzbelisce@belisce.netWeb: www.tzbelisce.net
Recommended tours
Bicycle tours around Belišće:
History
The development of the town is closely related to the acquisition of the oak forest by the Guttman family in 1884. S.H. Gutmann built a sawmill on the right side of the Drava where later Belišće was founded.
At the turn of the XX. century, more and more factories were being built here which helped the town to expand as well. Another boost to the industry of Belišće was the building of packaging factories, which made the town an important economic center of the county.