Camino Podravina

Camino Podravina begins in front of the parish church of Saint Ferdinand in Ferdinandovac. There, you’ll receive your pilgrim passport for collecting stamps, which is recommended to be picked up the day before from the Brotherhood of St. Ferdinand. They’ll explain where to find the arrows and signs leading from the park toward the road.
The trail starts on a paved road but soon turns onto a gravel path leading to the beautiful Bistra Canal. After a brief return to road, you reach the village of Batinske, where a visit to the Ivan Lacković Croata Gallery is highly recommended. Nearby lies the peaceful Batinska Lake, perfect for a break and a moment in nature. The route continues through the small villages of Molvice and Draganci. In Draganci, you’ll pass the birthplace of the famous Podravina musician Blaž Lenger. His bust stands in the village center, a lasting tribute to his musical legacy.

The next stop is Podravske Sesvete. Here you can visit the world’s first Ecological Garden of Peace or explore the rich ethnographic collection of Josip Cugovčan. The stamp for your passport can be found in the parish house opposite the church. Forest paths then lead toward Kloštar Podravski, home to the Church of St. Benedict and Our Lady of Sorrows. Nearby are the excavations of the former medieval town of Gorbonuk, where we’ll take a lunch break. After resting, we continue toward Budančevica. A rural path leads over a canal and an old wooden bridge, with an aromatic acacia forest and a charming dusty trail reminiscent of Camino stages in Spain. Once you return to the asphalt road, you’ll soon arrive in Kalinovac, where the first day ends in front of the Church of Saint Luke the Evangelist in the village center. Organized transport will return you to your accommodation.

After breakfast, we return by organized transport to Kalinovac, where we resume our pilgrimage. The trail leads behind the church, through one of the most beautiful streets in Podravina—you’ll see why it has that reputation. Soon we arrive at the Đurđevac Sands Geobotanical Reserve, also known as the “Croatian Sahara.” This unique landscape is rare in Europe and leaves a strong impression on every traveler. We then enter Đurđevac, a town known for the legend of the Picoki. You can visit the Old Town Fortress, art gallery, Church of St. George, and even see real camels! Nearby are a mini zoo, the Picokijada Interpretation Center, and the City Museum, perfect for a break and some exploring.

After leaving the town, we walk briefly along the main road before continuing toward Virje. There, you can get your stamp at the Church of Saint Martin or the parish office. The day ends in Molve, in front of the grand pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—its monumental architecture and spiritual serenity will leave you in awe. After the day’s walk, we head to our accommodation. Anyone interested can visit the Tea House to learn about its history, healing properties, and role through time.
Additionally, you can visit the Klopotec Tourist Information Center, home to the largest klopotec (wooden bird-scarer) in Croatia. Its lookout point offers a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. You’ll hear intriguing stories about its real purpose, mythical creatures said to inhabit Bilogora, and more local lore.

After breakfast, we return by organized transport to Molve and continue our Camino journey. Shortly after leaving the village, the trail leads along the Drava River embankment. The peaceful flow of the river and tranquil nature offer a perfect start to the day. Soon, we reach the popular local swimming spot, Lake Čingi Lingi—a great place to rest and take in the landscape. The trail continues in silence and greenery toward the village of Komatnica. This part of the Camino truly resembles the vast Meseta plains along the Camino Francés in Spain—a straight path where nature and your thoughts become your main companions. As we walk through the serene Podravina landscape, we gradually reach Hlebine, often called the heart and soul of naïve art. It was here that the famous Podravina art movement was born, and the Josip Generalić Gallery stands as a testament to this rich heritage. We return to our accommodation by organized transport.

After breakfast, we continue our journey. Leaving Hlebine, we pass by small naïve art studios that reflect the area’s rich artistic tradition. Along the way, we pass through a small, almost hidden village that, locals say, has four different names. You’ll discover which one it is—perhaps a local will share its story. The trail leads to Koprivnički Bregi. The municipal flag there bears the pilgrim shell of Saint James, showing how important the Camino is in this area. Later, we enter Koprivnica, a city known for its vibrant history and cultural events. Walking through the city fairgrounds, we reach the center and the city park, where the famous Renaissance Festival is held each year. We pass by the churches of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Nicholas, both open to visitors and perfect for a moment of quiet reflection. Today’s walk ends in Draganovec. From there, we return to our accommodation by organized transport.