ŠRC Poloj

ŠRC Poloj, the Sport and Recreation Center Poloj, is a riverside leisure area on the Sava River, about three kilometres east of Slavonski Brod, in Slavonia, in eastern Croatia. It is built around a long sandy beach on the bank of the river, and in summer it is the place where the people of Slavonski Brod go to swim, play sport, barbecue and meet friends.

The Sava is the great river of this region and one of Slavonia’s defining features, flowing along the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for the people of the Slavonian plain it has always been a source of life, a highway and a playground. A river beach is a different kind of experience from the sea. The water is warm and brown-green instead of salty blue, the current is steady, and the bank is wide and flat, with willows and poplars behind. At Poloj, sand has been laid out in a wide strip, giving a feeling of a real beach, and the setting among riverbank forests has a character of its own. The beach is often considered one of the most attractive on any river in the region.

The centre provides plenty to do for a day. There are sports fields for football, volleyball and other games, public barbecue areas where families cook outdoors, children’s playgrounds, and catering services offering food and drinks. A jogging and cycling trail about two and a half kilometres long leads from the edge of town to the beach, so it can be reached by bicycle or on foot, and a lifeguard service watches over the river during the summer season, which is important because currents on a river can be strong. Swimmers are advised to follow the guidance of the lifeguards and to stay within the marked area.

One of Poloj’s distinctive features is a street of river rafts known as Splavarska street, where floating houses and pontoons are moored along the bank, adding local character and a recreational dimension. Many of them serve as weekend retreats and small restaurants, and in summer they become part of the social scene, with music and parties. While the beach is the main draw, the centre hosts barbecues, festivals and evening events during the season, and the atmosphere is lively and informal.

Slavonski Brod offers other sights for a day out. The Brod Fortress, a large baroque fortress on the river, the Brod Posavlje Museum, and the walks along the Sava in the town are good additions, and Supernova Colosseum and the Vijuš sports hall are in the city. The centre is open to all, and opening hours and entry arrangements are not widely published, so check locally.

It suits families, groups of friends and sports fans, and the best time is a sunny summer afternoon. Bring sun protection, water and sandals.