Lipik park
Every town has its own central square, a paved area where citizens meet. However, such an example could not be found in Lipik since it has always been special, and the central area is the park. Throughout history, the park was always the central place of Lipik, where people used to socialize and meet. Lipik developed around an old oak forest that had been forming throughout the centuries into a tame area with geothermal sources used for medicinal purposes. The park was created in the 18th century, complemented by new plants, paths, and gazebos. During the 19th century, it turned into the recognizable neo-baroque park which has been well-maintained until today on the original surface of 10ha, without any significant changes to the park composition. At the International exhibition of flowers and garden plants in Budapest in 1910, among all the spas of the Monarchy, Lipik Spa was decorated with a great state gold medal due to its garden plantations, decoration of the bathing park, and lush foreign plants. In 1965 it was declared the Monument of park architecture and it became protected. Even nowadays there are two stylistically shaped units – the historicist neo-baroque one with geometrically designed gardens in front of the main front of the Spa building and the late-romantic park with alleys, treelines, a system of promenades, and park interior. In Lipik park, you can take a walk down numerous alleys and promenades, take a break in gazebos or on benches, visit Jelkin brijeg (Jelka’s hill), get to know the history on “Jelka’s path”, freshen up at a healing water spring, rest a bit by the fountain or a pond, or do some sports on one of the playgrounds.
Jelka’s path
To show you how special Lipik and the historical park are, we have revealed their stories on “Jelka’s path”. The starting point is on the main street and it crosses the park. The story has been told on 24 information panels in both the Croatian and English languages.
Jelka’s bench
Jelka’s bench is a historical stone bench placed in the courtyard of Lipik Spa next to the Marble baths. It was built a long time ago as a resting place in the shade of the pines for Jelka, a young countess. It is considered that there were more such benches, and Jelka’s bench is the last specimen.
Jelka’s hill
The noble family Janković started with a planned decoration of the park, promenades, and alleys. For the guests, but also the children, they created a park with pavilions, ponds, benches, and podiums for musical performances. A gazebo on an elevated hill at the height of trees and flight of birds was specially made for their daughter Jelka, which is today called “Jelkin brijeg” (Jelka’s hill).
Kursalon
Kursalon is the most remarkable building in Lipik. It was built at the end of the 19th century and since then it has been the symbol of Lipik and the most photographed motive of our town. Kursalon used to be synonymous with fun, entertainment, and culture. It was purposefully built for the guests of the Lipik spa and it marked a new rise in Lipik tourism and the most beautiful period of that town.
Antun’s spring
For centuries there was a spring of healing water where today’s park is, and covered baths and swimming pools were built on the natural source. The first artesian well, 235 deep, was drilled manually in 1870, and the water temperature was 64 °C. This was one of the first bores of thermal mineral water in this part of Europe.
