Banovina - Pounje

Hrvatska Kostajnica, Donji Kukuruzari, Sunja, Majur, Hrvatska Dubica, Dvor

In the southern part of continental Croatia, within the region of Banovina – Pounje, where nature has created a stunningly beautiful landscape, and where people, who have lived there for centuries in harmony with nature, have enriched it with their work, attractive tourist stories are now developing.

This is a region where rivers Una and Sunja, water springs, and forests have shaped life, inviting visitors to explore through cycling, hiking, or walking through the hilly and mountainous terrain.

The forests of this region are home to chestnut trees, whose fruits are used by locals to prepare a variety of dishes. In honor of this delicious forest fruit, the city of Hrvatska Kostajnica – whose name literally refers to chestnuts – has been organizing the Chestnut Festival (Kestenijada) for over two decades, an event renowned even beyond the borders of Croatia.

During this three-day festival, which is truly worth a visit, you can expect a wide array of delicacies: from gastronomic delights to entertainment.

The Banovina - Pounje Region is the Starting Point for New Tourist Adventures Waiting to Be Discovered

Performances by folk ensembles (KUDs), concerts, traditional games, old crafts, and various activities for all generations, along with plenty of fun, are all reasons to visit. Although Kestenijada is the most famous event in this region, it is by no means the only one. Other popular events that attract numerous tourists include: The International Una Regatta – Rowing Down the Una River, Žganci Festival (dedicated to traditional cornmeal dishes), Fishermen’s Night, Carnival (Fašnik), Una Art Colony, May Day Cycling Tour (Prvosvibanjska biciklijada)

For a panoramic view, climb Čukur Hill and gaze upon the city of Hrvatska Kostajnica and the Una River Valley through the large cracked camera lens of the “Broken Landscape” Memorial. This monument was erected in memory of Gordan Lederer, a cameraman who lost his life during the Homeland War. It was from this very viewpoint that Lederer captured his final frames, leaving a lasting mark on the region’s history.