09:00 – Arrival to Virovitica
09:00 – 10:00 – Visit to the Church of St. Rocco and the Museum of the Franciscan Monastery
10:00 – 10:15 – Visit to the Pejačević Palace, Pejačević Palace Courtyard, Street Piano
10:15 – 10:45 – Coffee break
10:45– 12:45 – Visit to the Pejačecić Castle and the new exhibition of the City Museum – Wooden Age (Pejačević Castle and Perivoj)
12:45 – 13:45 – Lunch break
13:45 – 14:15 – City walk: Edita Schubert’s Promenade, The building of the First Croatian Savings Bank, Petar Preradović Gymnasium, Musical Fence, Sound Mirrors
14:15 – 14:45 – Visit to the Virovitica City Library and Reading Room
14:45 – 15:15 – Visit to the Music School Jan Vlašimsky
15:30 – 16:00 – Visit to the Virovitica Theatre
16:00 – 17:00 – Visit to the exhibition “Virovitica loves trains” (Virovitica Railway Station)
17:00 – Departure from Virovitica

The construction of the tourist pearl of Slavonia, lasted four years (1800-1804). Pejačević Castle was built on the site of the demolished medieval burg by the count Antun Pejačević. It is characterized by baroque – classicist style, and is surrounded by a harmonious park. It all began in 1750, when the Virovitica estate, by Maria Therese’s deed of gift was bought by Josip Pejačević. His son Antun I built a baroque – classicist castle on the foundation of the medieval burg around which the town further expanded (the construction was entrusted to the Viennese architect Roth). The construction was completed by Antun II Pejačević. As a part of the constructionthey did the park landscaping as well. Antun III Pejačević (son of Antun II) sold the castle and estate in 1841 to a German princely family Schaumburg – Lippe. They continued with the arrangement of the park. They owned the castle for 70 years and in that time the estate has been significantly increased. In 1911 the new owner of the catle was Count Ivan Draskovic. Virovitica municipality bought the castle in 1930 and is the current owner of the estate.

With churches in Čakovec and Kloštar Ivanić, the Church of Saint Rocco represents a uniqueexpression of Franciscan baroque of the 18th century. After liberation of Vrovitica from the Turkish reign, Zagreb bishop Martin Borković handed Virovitica parish to the Franciscan province of St. Ladislav. Franciscans settled in the town and built a monastery and the Church of Saint Rocco. Construction of the church began in 1746 and lasted untill 1752. It was heavily damaged in 1757 by a horrific earthquake. The church interior is among the most prominent baroque interiors in Croatia. In addition to the main alter there are eight side altars and a pulpit. Altairpieces and carpentry work was done by Franciscan carvers and sculptors: Luka Auleidner, Gerard Lohenbauer, Damjan Pitner and Timothy Schwab. The Church of Saint Rocco is also a cultural spot in Virovitica as it hosts many concerts.

A century old gymnasium is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. From the very beginning, this educational institution has become a symbol of knowledge and progress of Virovitica. In 1968 the school was named “Petar Preradović Gymnasium“, after the poet who was born in Grabrovnica, thirty kilometers from Virovitica. Today, gymnasium holds programs of general, linguistic and natural science orientation.

Often named the First Lady of the Croatian Avantgarde, Edita Schubert left an exceptionally significant contribution to modern art. The works of this versatile artist are exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, while the Virovitica promenade, stretching from The FINA building to the edge of the Franciscan Monastery park was named after her – Edita Schubert’s Promenade. Her geometric works painted in “schubert” red and blue are applied on the front of the building, and on the side walls are painted false doors, a faithful replica of the author’s work. Also by her design, in front of the building there are wooden benches with barcodes.

The beginning of theatrical life in Virovitica date back to the early 20th century. The artistic ensemble of the Virovitica Theater consists of a dozen actors. The ensemble is continuously rejuvenated by young actors, who come to Virovitica with enthusiasm. In recent years, the performances of Virovitica theater throughout Croatia and the region have been noticed, well evaluated by eminent Croatian theater experts and critics, and multi-award winning. Every year, the Virovitica Theater organizes traditional “Virovitica theater meetings” – VIRKAS.

Back in 1886, the Music School Jan Vlašimsky was opened; the first principal and teacher was Jan Vlašimsky himself. The school has pre-school, primary and secondary school music program with total of 357 pupils.

Built in second half of the 18th century. It is a remarkable example of the baroque architecture and a registered monument of the zero category. It represents one of the oldest cultural buildings in Virovitica. It was reconstructed in 2014. and is the new address of the City Administration.

The Franciscan monastery was built in the middle of the 18th century. The monastery pharmacy was located on the ground floor, and upstairs were rooms provided for higher church officials when they reside in Virovitica. As part of the Franciscan Monastery in Virovitica, which was renovated in 2011, the Museum of Sacred Art and Cultural and Historical Heritage was opened. Here are located the greatest values that the monastery has: liturgical attire and utensils, liturgical books and patterns, paintings of saints, crucifixes, antique furniture, a fully equipped pharmacy closet and a collection of old photographs. Next to the Museum there is also a monastery library, which contains valuable and rare books ranging from the 15th to the 21st century. Following the original idea, this Museum doesn’t only narrate history, but also reveals the soul and heart of the city through the eyes of priests who lived and worked there.

The building of the First Croatian Savings Bank, a monument of the 19th century, was built according to the Viennese building standards with details proving Virovitica as the market centre of the time. Virovitica was known through history as a place of trade and fairs. Statue of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, is located at this very building and is also the address of the FINA office today.

The Virovitica City Museum was founded in 1953 as a local museum and has been located in the very center of Virovitica, in the Pejačević Castle. After three years of preparations and works on Castle’s renewal, on December 5, 2019 the new permanent exhibition of the Museum was presented to the public – entitled “Wooden Age”. With the new exhibition, visitors can expect a completely new approach to the presentation and interpretation of the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Virovitica region. The permanent exhibition consists of two thematic units “Wooden Age” and “History of the city and the Castle”, which are presented in a modern and creative way. The permanent exhibition is largely interactive and contains more than 1500 exhibits, over two hours of multimedia content, animation, games, movies, music, interesting to all visitors, especially children. Museum opening hours: Monday 9 am – 2 pm, Tuesday to Friday 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 7 pm, while on Sunday only by appointment. *Information about potential changes in working hours of the City Museum and Castle Pejačević are available on: https://www.facebook.com/gradskimuzej.virovitica/

Starting from the second half of the 19th century, Virovitica Library is the successor of the rich reading tradition in the town. It was officially founded in 1946, and as an independent institution in 1990. The true rise of this institution took place at the beginning of the 21st century, especially with the relocation to a new building, by engaging a greater number of professional employees and acquiring the status of the County Main Library. Today, it has a library fund of approximately 100,000 volumes of material (approx. 4,000 new units per year), it has almost 9,000 users, of which 3,000 are regularly active, and around 100 users visit per day, with the number of borrowed books of approx. 50,000 units per year. The library is an informational, cultural and educational institution that has taken its place as a modern institution dedicated to heritage for the general good. It also meets the specific needs and interests of its users, the citizens of Virovitica, Virovitica-Podravina County and further. (Source: Virovitica City Library)

Musical fence is the first exhibit of the future Science Park in Virovitica. This innovative and educational tourist attraction enables any visitor to play Beethoven’s “ Ode to Joy” while walking.

Virovitica is the first city in Croatia which implemented the project “Street Piano”. Piano is located in Pejačević Palace and is available for playing at any time.