Baroque church art, wine traditions and a varied landscape come together in the Municipality of Staro Petrovo Selo. The parish church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Staro Petrovo Selo provides a specific historical focal point: its construction dates back to the 18th century, and the sanctuary’s frescoes depicting biblical scenes are among its distinctive details.
Church art and traces of history
The parish church was built and consecrated in 1777. It is a single-nave Baroque building. Three frescoes in the sanctuary depict the Nativity of Jesus, the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Last Supper. Antun Keller painted them in 1819. The construction and frescoes therefore belong to different periods in the church’s history: the murals followed the building’s construction by just over four decades.
You can also encounter a variety of sacred heritage in the smaller settlements. In Oštri Vrh is the chapel dedicated to Saint Vitus, which belongs to the parish of Saint Anthony of Padua in Staro Petrovo Selo. Near Oštri Vrh, the ruins of the Church of Saint Ladislaus once stood on a hill among vineyards; they were mentioned in 1730. In Tisovac, the chapel dedicated to Saint Blaise is one of the settlement’s notable religious buildings.
According to accounts of Tisovac, the nobleman Tvrda built the Tvrdić complex in the village area in the 13th century. Finds in the Oštri Vrh area provide another kind of historical trace: pottery, as well as stone and bronze objects, attest to settlement since prehistoric times. The area has not yet been adequately researched.
Between Požeška gora and Crnac
The landscape varies within the municipality. In the north, the southern slopes of the Požeška gora highlands extend across part of the Municipality of Staro Petrovo Selo. Deciduous forest covers the slopes, which are interspersed with vineyards and orchards. The southern part gradually descends towards the Crnac plain. Wooded heights and a lower-lying plain thus provide contrasting landmarks.
The Jambrovac excursion spot is located above Tisovac. In fine weather, many day-trippers come here for fresh air and time in nature.
Wine, crafts and regional cuisine
The “Sveti Vinko” association of winegrowers and fruit growers traditionally holds a folk festival in Staro Petrovo Selo for Martinje. It includes the wine-blessing ceremony, in which must is declared wine. The association also organizes tastings of young wine and regional produce for Martinje. If you plan to travel for a festival, check the event dates in advance.
The “Švarglijada u Hrvata” showcases another culinary tradition. It promotes Švargl and traditional Slavonian cured products such as Kulin, Kulinova seka, bacon and Čvarci; Švargl is considered a gastronomic specialty of Slavonia. Štivica, meanwhile, has been known for producing wooden souvenirs, particularly over the past 50 years. Winegrowing, regional produce and crafts thus offer the municipality a range of cultural points of interest.
Travel information
Staro Petrovo Selo lies on the regional road between Nova Gradiška and Slavonski Brod, as well as on the Posavina railway line. Check current train connections before your trip. This helps you place the settlement within the regional transport network without assuming a particular timetable from the route alone.
Discover more destinations: Staro Petrovo Selo, Municipality of Davor, Municipality of Rešetari, Municipality of Sibinj, Municipality of Oprisavci, Municipality of Garčin, Municipality of Brodski Stupnik, Municipality of Velika Kopanica.
View the broader travel overview: Brod-Posavina.
