Spomen park Sokolovac

Spomen Park Sokolovac is a memorial park on a hill just outside the centre of Požega, the old town in the Požega Valley, in Slavonia, in eastern Croatia. The name Sokolovac means Hawk’s Peak, and it is a quiet green hill with a long view across the valley, reached by a pleasant walk uphill from the town’s main square.

The hill takes its name from a historical figure, Luka Ibrišimović, a Franciscan friar who played a significant role in the liberation of Požega from Ottoman rule in the late seventeenth century. Požega had been under Ottoman control for around a century and a half, and when Habsburg forces advanced into Slavonia in 1687 and 1688, friars and local people helped negotiate or support the change. In recognition of his courage, Luka Ibrišimović was given the nickname Sokol, meaning the Hawk, and later honoured by Emperor Leopold I, and the hill where he is commemorated has carried the name ever since. The monument thus recalls a moment of change in the history of Slavonia, when the region returned to Christian rule and began to rebuild.

The walk up is part of the experience. A path begins near the main square and climbs steadily, passing the stations of Kalvarija, the Way of the Cross, and the small chapel of St. Anne, which give it the character of a pilgrimage route. The ascent is moderate, with some steep stretches, and takes perhaps half an hour. At the summit stands a large cross, erected in 1999 to replace an older nineteenth-century one, which has become a symbol of the town and is visible from many places in the valley. Benches and a lookout area give a place to rest.

The view is the highlight. Spread out below are the roofs and church towers of Požega, the patchwork of fields and orchards in the valley, and the long, wooded ridges of Krndija and the Papuk massif, now Papuk Mountain Nature Park, on the horizon. At sunrise and sunset the light on the hills is soft, and the park is a favourite place for photographers and for people who want a moment of quiet. The park is open at all hours, with no entry fee, and most visitors spend an hour or two.

Back in town, Požega’s handsome baroque centre has its Holy Trinity Square and a monument in the middle, and the old street lamps of Stari Fenjeri add a touch of nostalgia. The surrounding hills produce excellent wine, and the valley is sometimes called the golden valley.

The park suits walkers, history lovers and photographers. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.