Vrpolje is home to the Spomen galerija Ivana Meštrovića, a specialised museum dedicated to the sculptor Ivan Meštrović and the cultural history of Vrpolje.
When planning a trip, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment in Vrpolje.
Culture and History
The parish church of St John the Baptist in Vrpolje was built between 1772 and 1774. Ivan Meštrović was baptised in this church; it is also home to his bronze statue “St John the Baptist”. The artist was born in Vrpolje on 15 August 1883.
The Spomen galerija Ivana Meštrovića opened in Vrpolje on 3 June 1972. Around 40 works by the artist are on display in the Meštrović Gallery. They include 35 sculptures and reliefs made of plaster and bronze. The adjacent Church of St John the Baptist also houses four of his works. The works presented there belong to a larger Meštrović collection in Slavonia.
In 2024, visitors to the gallery could also visit the Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist and view four Meštrović works there. Since 18 January 2025, Meštrović’s sculpture “St. John the Baptist” has been displayed in the sculpture park in Vrpolje. The park in front of the gallery contains the sculptures “Mother and Child”, “Meštrović at Work” and “Head of a Šokica”.
Local Insights
The Eko-etno House in Vrpolje began operating and opened to visitors in 2024. The Eko Etno Kuća presents collections of traditional costumes and historical objects. The centre includes replicas of objects found at the Dobrevo archaeological site.
The ethnographic collection provides insight into everyday life in Slavonia around a century ago. The archaeological exhibition includes artefacts from a local site dating from the Late Bronze Age, including replicas of urns. The offerings include educational workshops and events, including an Eko-etno fair. The Eko Etno Kuća also offers an eno-gastronomic selection characteristic of the area.
Nature and Leisure
The Ciglana zone in Vrpolje includes a landscaped pond intended for fishing, as well as a tennis court with free access. Fishing at Ciglana requires a valid permit. Barbecuing is possible there by prior arrangement.
