The Slavija dairy shapes the food history of Staro Petrovo Selo through a series of clearly dated milestones. Oštri Vrh lies 2 km north of the settlement and brings together archaeological and church-history traces. Further connections within the wider travel destination of Općina Staro Petrovo Selo range from a Baroque church with frescoes to landscapes and Martinje traditions.
Dairy history
The Slavija dairy is part of the food history of Staro Petrovo Selo. It began in 1911 as a milk collection and processing operation. Production of milk powder began in 1924, and a modern dairy factory was established in 1926. On 27 May 1941, the company was renamed “Herman Wentenze, mljekara Slavija.” The factory is considered Croatia’s first milk powder and condensed milk factory in Staro Petrovo Selo. Its successive stages thus span everything from collecting and processing milk to factory production.
The Lav artesian well
A 28-metre-deep artesian well is located beside the Zagreb–Lipovac motorway. In 1953, it was developed into a fountain. It is known as Lav; an otter’s head is set into the stone slab above it. Its depth, later design and animal motif each offer a distinct, specific point of reference.
Oštri Vrh: finds and historical traces
Oštri Vrh lies 2 km north of Staro Petrovo Selo. A chapel dedicated to Saint Vitus stands there. Within the wider travel destination of Općina Staro Petrovo Selo, it belongs to the parish of Saint Anthony of Padua in Staro Petrovo Selo. Finds of pottery, along with stone and bronze objects, attest to settlement in the area since prehistoric times; it has so far been inadequately researched.
The ruins of a former church dedicated to Saint Ladislaus were already mentioned in 1730; they stood on a hill among the vineyards. The chapel, archaeological finds and church ruins represent different layers of the area’s history, while the caveat that the site has not been adequately researched remains important to its archaeological interpretation.
Cultural heritage and landscapes in Općina Staro Petrovo Selo
The parish church of Saint Anthony of Padua is located in Staro Petrovo Selo, within the wider travel destination of Općina Staro Petrovo Selo. Built and consecrated in 1777, it is a single-nave Baroque building. The choir contains three frescoes: the Nativity of Jesus, the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Last Supper. They were created by Antun Keller in 1819.
The landscape also offers a range of features within Općina Staro Petrovo Selo. The northern part of the municipality of Staro Petrovo Selo includes the southern slopes of the Požeška gora highlands. Deciduous forest covers the slopes, which are interspersed with vineyards and orchards. In the southern part of the municipality, the land gradually descends towards the Crnac plain. Tisovac is also home to a chapel dedicated to Saint Blaise, one of the settlement’s notable religious buildings.
Martinje and regional products
The “Sveti Vinko” association of winegrowers and fruit growers traditionally holds a folk festival with a wine-baptism ceremony in Staro Petrovo Selo for Martinje. During the ceremony, must is declared to be wine. For Martinje, the association also organises tastings of young wine and regional products. If you would like to plan your stay around a festival, check the date in advance.
Transport connections for planning
At the level of Općina Staro Petrovo Selo, Staro Petrovo Selo lies on the regional road between Nova Gradiška and Slavonski Brod, as well as on the Posavina railway line. You can take these transport connections into account when choosing where to stay. If you are considering travelling by train, check the current service and timetable in advance.
For the wider travel overview: Općina Staro Petrovo Selo.
