# Banovci (Vukovar-Srijem County)

Banovci is a small village in Croatian Syrmia, 10 miles south of the Danube River and near the border with Serbia. A sizable German minority that lived in the village before World War II mostly moved to Austria at the end of the war. Today most of the population are members of Serb minority.

## Understand

Every year on the Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6), residents in the churchyard fallen bonfire. In this occasion locals takes oak tree from the surrounding and make the ritual fire. These nights the locals remember their old Slavic religion and symbolically confirm Christianity.
In the rest part of year, villagers are organized around the celebration of New Year's, Women's Day, Labour Day (May 1), on the occasion of the end of the school year, important religious holidays, etc.
There are active and the football club, pensioners club, the Protestant community and the Women's Caucus, which also periodically organizes public events.
What describes life in Banovci it might be described as living on a human scale. People are extremely friendly and hospitable. Crime can be said not to exist in Banovci.
Banovci is one of the few places in Croatia that has retained its street names from the period of communist Yugoslavia. This was done at the express request of the villagers. For this reason, the name of the main street still bears the name of former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, while other streets are named by prominent members of the anti-fascist movement during World War II.
The best time to visit is spring when climatic conditions are favorable. Summer in this area have a big problem with mosquitoes, which do not transmit diseases, but they are real temptations. The doctor and mobile library comes to Banovci once a week. Zip code of village is 32 247, mail order just in business days.

## Get in

Banovci is well connected with regional centers.
Plane. Through the international airport in Osijek (Croatia) and continue with bus (1 hour) or through international airport in Belgrade (Serbia) and continue with bus (2 hours).
Train. Banovci is on the railway line between Zagreb and Vinkovci, and all local trains stop at the local railway station. International trains stop at 8 km away Tovarnik (Croatia) or 20 km away Vinkovci (Croatia). Railways is the main route between Western Europe and the Middle East.
Bus. Banovci are connected by direct lines with Vinkovci, Vukovar, Osijek, Belgrade and Šid.
Car. Banovci is ten miles north of highway A3 (Bregana—Lipovac via Zagreb and Slavonski Brod). Regional roads have been repaired and are in good condition. Some local roads are not in the best condition.

## Get around

Bicycle. You can visit nearby places on a bike. If you don't bring your own bike, you can always ask a local to lend one to you. He will probably give you a bike if you convince him of your good intentions.
By foot. You can walk to two nearby villages that are within the 0.5 and 1 mile.

## See

The baroque Orthodox church dedicated to St. Petka. The church was built in the 19th century and has been restored. Best time to visit is for Sunday morning worship when the church will surely be open. The church is open for all "important" saints, and can be opened at any other time by arrangement with the priest in Šid town (Serbia).
There is an old mill, old local railway station, the old railway route and houses built in traditional Pannonian style.

## Buy

There is only one shop that is satisfactory equipped.

## Eat

Try different kinds of dried pork, homemade cakes and organically grown fruits and vegetables freshly picked. You should try an alcoholic plum brandy called Rakija. Search for Balkan specialties such as pies, cheese, meat, potatoes, baklava, sarma.

## Sleep

Banovci not a tourist destination and hotel accommodation can be found only in the surrounding towns.