Požega (Hungarian Pozsega) is a town in Croatia; elevation 152 m with population of 28,948 in 2001. It is located in the south-western part of the Požega Valley (Požeška kotlina) in central Slavonia. It is the center of the Požega-Slavonia county. Požega is located on the main road (M1.6) Nova Gradiška - Požega - Našice and the railroad Batrina - Požega.

Economy

Chief occupations include farming, viticulture, livestock breeding, metal-processing (foundry, machines and tractors, household appliances), foodstuffs (chocolate, sweets and liqueurs), textiles (ready-made), wood and timber, building material (bricks, roof tiles) and printing industries.

Festivities and Events

City is located in the middle of the fertile valley and has 800-years old cultural and historical heritage, carefully cherished traditions which underlie the tourist development of Požega. The importance of the region may also be seen in its Roman name: Vallis Aurea, or the Golden Valley.

The central town square with a number of nice buildings (the church of the Holy Spirit, the Franciscan monastery, the Town House, etc.) and a plague column is one of the most beautiful squares in Croatia.

Požega hosts a number of traditional cultural events and performances.Grgurevo (St. Gregory's Day) is traditional show of canons and mortars, exhibited on the central square (12th of March). The event includes the mortar fire in Požega vineyards, which symbolizes chasing of the Ottomans from the region and commemorates the victory over the Turks on the Sokolovac hill in 1688. The festival of Croatian one-minute films and the national dog show are held in May.The events in June are "St. John's Bonfire" (21st of June), "Kulenijada", a special event dedicated to presentation and tasting of the very best kulen, (Slavonian paprika-flavoured sausages), served with local quality wines.

The events in September are "Fišijada" (fishing and preparing of Slavonia-style fish specialities) and important music festival Golden Strings of Slavonia (third weekend in September). This event is a contest of folk music performers and singers but also includes other events (grape harvest, beauty contest the most "swaggering" peasant girl, national costumes show, etc.). Organ music evenings are organized on the occasion of the Town's Day and in commemoration of its patroness, St. Teresa of Avila (15th of October).

Sports and Recreation

The major sports event, auto and motor cycling race (in June and August), is held at the Glavica race-track.

The sports hall Grabrik, a track and field athletics stadium, the Orljava river and the surrounding hills are major sports and recreational facilities of Požega and its surroundings. Angling opportunities are provided on the Orljava and the Veličanka rivers, small game hunting in the lowlands and high game in the nearby hills. Traditional Slavonia-style specialities and wines are offered in Požega and its surroundings.

External links

• Požega
• Požega - in Croatian