GEO PARK Papuk National Park in the Republic of Hrvatska (Croatia)

What is a Geopark?

A Geopark, like a national park, consists of something ecologically or biologically rare which needs to be protected. Sale or destruction of anything in the GEOPARK is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization backs this up together with the European Union. Archeological and cultural artifacts are also protected at a GEOPARK.

Since 1997, the United Nations has declared 32 European Geoparks, 19 Chinese Geoparks, and 1 Brazilian Geopark. The purpose of these geoparks is to

1. Protect the environment
2. Educate the general public of the role of geology in everyday life (also known as geoeducation)
3. Ensure the protective conditions, while concurrently promoting tourism to the area.

The purpose of this Hub is to explore Geopark Papuk, located in the north-eastern corner of Croatia (see the map).

Papuk itself is designed to be an institution for scientific research, cultural preservation and keeping the environment in a state that it needs to remain in.

The Park is open year round.

It contains a large variety of unique floral and fauna and extremely rare plant life. There are some species that grow only in this area.

Some of the highlights of the Park include:

Jankovac - located in the northern section of Papuk, it is considered one of the most beautiful valleys to be found, surrounded by a dense forest. It's a well known mountain climbers excursion due to its exquisite natural beauty. In 1955 the forested section of the Park was declared a natural treasure and protected area.

Rupnica - a unique natural location which was the first to be declared geological artifacts found in Croatia, in 1948. There are step-like rock formations formed from eruptive rock due to prehistoric volcanic activity.

Sekulinačke planine (mountains) - protected due to special forest vegetation since 1966, the bukva trees to the entrance of the forest provide an oasis of beauty and untouched natural harmony in these parts.

Ružica Grad (Rose town) - An well protected fortress and old town, built in the Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in print when a king visited the area back in 1357.

Pliš - Mališčak - This area is to the south of Papuk. It contains very interesting and rare flowers as well as the largest number of protected plant life in the entire PAPUK Geopark.

Acheologic finding - Čemernica - Gradci - this location was a prince's seat and old grave site. Dated as having been a settlement during Ancient times (650-550 B.C.), it is a rare find of prehistoric life during the "older" Iron Age time frame.