A glimpse into the past of the Municipality of Šodolovci leads to Koprivna: the medieval Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos stands in the village’s Orthodox cemetery. The plateau with the church and cemetery is protected as the medieval archaeological site “Udovičko polje.” Finds point to a medieval settlement with an associated cemetery – religious architecture and settlement history come together at this site.
Churches and Archaeological Traces
The church’s present-day Baroque appearance dates back to its restoration in 1751. Four medieval windows have been preserved; the structure of an original Romanesque portal was also identified at the present-day south portal. Baroque design and older architectural elements thus meet in a single building. Archaeological finds in Koprivna also point to an earlier period: at the “Vodenčina” settlement site, they date from the Early and Middle Neolithic and are thought to belong to the Sopot culture.
Culture and Customs in Silaš
In Silaš, the “Zora” cultural and artistic society ensemble is dedicated to preserving cultural traditions. The ensemble was founded in 2006 to preserve the tradition and culture of Serbs in Croatia. Around 50 members take part in a folklore group and a women’s vocal group. At performances, KUD “Zora” presents some of its twelve stylised choreographies, as well as three staged depictions of customs.
The Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah also shapes Silaš’s cultural landscape. Completed in 2013, the new building is constructed in the Serbian-Byzantine style and has two domes. The carved iconostasis was made by Dragan Šaponja from Kolut. Regular services have been held there since its completion.
The “Silašijada” brings folklore, customs, handicrafts and traditional sports together in a showcase event. The programme includes competitions in traditional sports in front of the Silaš Cultural Centre. Participants then parade through the village and visit the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah. In addition to organisers and associations from Croatia, associations from neighbouring countries are also expected to take part. In June 2025, a diverse cultural and artistic programme featuring folklore groups took place at the Cultural Centre as part of the Silašijada.
Another example of cultural activity can be found in Ada: the “Seoska idila” association began organising themed exhibitions of products made from natural materials. Together with the churches and association life in Silaš, initiatives like these showcase different aspects of cultural life in the municipality.
Landscape and Orientation
The area of the Municipality of Šodolovci is part of the vast lowlands in the southeast of Osijek-Baranja County. It lies in the Drava and Danube water catchment area, or more specifically in the Vuka catchment area. County Road 4130 is useful for navigating by road: it runs via Šodolovci and Petrova Slatina between the D7 and D518.
More to Discover in Osijek-Baranja County
Osijek-Baranja County also offers nature experiences: more than 2,300 species live in Kopački rit Nature Park, including around 140 breeding bird species. The park offers tourist boat trips, canoe trips with expert guides and cycling tours. These activities are part of the nature park and offer a distinct regional perspective on the county.
In Našice, culture and food take centre stage at the “Dani slavonske šume” event, held every autumn in Perivoj Pejačević. The programme includes a market for products from rural Slavonia and tastings of traditional Slavonian dishes. The “Našička viteška priča” event features knights’ tournaments, demonstrations of skills and medieval daily life around St Martin’s Church in Našice.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Paulin Dvor, Municipality of Beli Manastir, Municipality of Drenje, Municipality of Popovac, Municipality of Bizovac, Municipality of Donja Motičina, Municipality of Đakovo, Municipality of Bilje.
Go to the main travel overview: Osijek-Baranja County.
