4-Xtremes – Part 35: “Best seat in the house” on the Drava river, clear views in Petrova Gora

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

Off the beaten track.

Andrea and Mike have got a choice of seven countries for their journey after Hungary. They choose one of their favourite destinations – and discover it anew.

Welcome (once again) to Croatia! There is a lot to discover in this Balkan state – even inland away from the Adriatic Sea – such as the city of Osijek on the banks of the Drava.


What do overlanders do when they’re forced to travel through a country they have already explored? Just push on! In our case, we had landed in Hungary as Russia had refused us entry and we needed a vet for our sick dog. A few days later Aimée was fit again and we were faced with the question of “where to now?" After all Hungary shares a border with seven countries.

We decide on Croatia. We have already been there several times. But up until now, we travelled for the most part along the coast. Also, we’ve always felt comfortable here because the people are friendly – and there is a lot to discover. And now we know that that applies to Croatia’s interior too.


From the triangular-shaped Sisak Fortress …
From the triangular-shaped Sisak Fortress …
… Andrea and Mike sometimes have to travel on rough tracks …
… Andrea and Mike sometimes have to travel on rough tracks …
… to the futuristic looking monument at Petrova Gora …
… to the futuristic looking monument at Petrova Gora …
… which provides a magnificent view in the late-summer weather.
… which provides a magnificent view in the late-summer weather.

We cross the border in the north-east and reach the country’s fourth largest city just a short while later: Osijek. Our pitch near the catacombs close to the Drava river is the "best seat in the house" with its view of the historic city centre. The old town is undergoing extensive renovations and yet Osijek still has an authentic feel to it.

Two days later we start up the Axor again and drive in a south-westerly direction. Our next destinations are the cathedral at Đakovo and the Fortress of Brod. Following the Sava river which forms the border to Bosnia-Herzegovina, our route takes us to the triangular-shaped Sisak Fortress from the 16th century. The very last section of the route is very narrow and Mike has to concentrate hard while driving.



70 kilometres further south-west, we pass through several villages. Then the road becomes narrower and is suddenly just an uphill track which is very steep in parts. Mike engages the all-wheel drive and the Axor climbs the incline effortlessly. Our destination is the monument at Petrova Gora. Its base is a reinforced concrete construction covered in moulded stainless steel panels.

Many of the panels have been stolen so that at first glance the monument doesn’t look too impressive. However the stairs leading up to the flat roof are safe – and when the weather is good, the all-round view from up here can be as far as the capital of Zagreb and even towards Bosnia and Slovenia. And in which direction will we be travelling next?



4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

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