On Friday, April 25, 2025, during the morning hours in Lipik, the renovated Villa Dobre Vode was ceremonially opened, one of the important components of the €11.5 million Terme Lipik project. With this project, our city has once again confirmed its commitment to preserving cultural heritage and developing its cultural tourism offerings. This magnificent building, located at the beginning of Marija Terezija Street, in the very heart of Lipik, will become a new center for gatherings, education, and aesthetic experience, further strengthening Lipik’s identity as a city of health and culture.
The opening began with the gathering of dignitaries and guest registration, where attendees were given dance cards and fans at the entrance – a discreet homage to the balls of the Belle Époque era. Introductory remarks were given by the moderators – the famous theater, television, and film actress Mila Elegović and the editor of Lipik’s Compas, Matija Kulhavi, highlighting the significance of this project, whose total value exceeds €6 million. More than half of the funds were secured from the European Regional Development Fund, with support from the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and the City of Lipik.
“Today, we celebrate not just a renovated building, but the vision and perseverance of the City of Lipik behind it. Villa Dobre Vode is becoming a meeting place for the past and the future, knowledge and beauty,” was emphasized in the introductory address. After the opening words, the Croatian national anthem was performed on the violin by Tena Badrov, a talented 15-year-old student from Pakrac High School and a member of the Lipik majorettes. Afterwards, the attendees were addressed by the Mayor of Lipik Vinko Kasana, the Požega-Slavonia County Prefect Antonija Jozić, the Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects (SAFU) Dragan Jelić, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds Domagoj Mikulić, who also served as the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia. In their speeches, all highlighted the importance of this project for the local community, as well as its contribution to the revitalization of cultural heritage.
“Villa Dobre Vode represents the image of Lipik as it once was and as it will become again,” emphasized Lipik Mayor Vinko Kasana during the ceremonial opening of this significant facility. “I am proud of every one of our successes, every completed project, whether small or large, because each one means a better life – for us, for our children, our elderly, and all residents of Lipik.” He expressed particular pride in the realization of this project, stressing: “Through this villa, I see the awakening of the spirit of Lipik – a city of rich feelings and healthy experiences, a city of health, renewal, and hedonism – which we try to convey through the very exhibition within the villa’s space.”
In addition to reflecting on the challenges that accompanied the project’s implementation, Kasana expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to its realization – from those who recognized the project’s importance to those who actively carried it out. He specifically thanked the opportunity to use European Union funds, the support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Prefect Antonija Jozić and her predecessor Alojz Tomašević, Davor Huška from the Ministry of Regional Development, as well as the county Development Agency Panora, the Lipik Development Agency LIRA, Lipik Spa, the Lipik Tourist Board, the designers, contractors, and his predecessor, former mayor Antun Haramija. He also thanked all members of the project team, led by the Head of the Administrative Department of the City of Lipik, Veronika Prhal.
Finally, he addressed a message to those who will work in Villa Dobre Vode in the future: “We are giving you the pearl of Lipik – make it even more beautiful and radiant. Welcome every guest with a smile and believe in yourselves.”
Požega-Slavonia County Prefect Antonija Jozić stated that it was an exceptional honor and pleasure to attend the event and thanked everyone who participated in the project’s realization so that this beautiful building could see the light of day.
“Lipik, a town in the western part of Požega-Slavonia County, may be small in territory and population, but it is a city that has always dared to dream big dreams, achieve great projects, and take big steps – both in developing the economy of Lipik and the entire county, and in raising the quality of life for all its citizens,” emphasized the Prefect. She recalled that Lipik was the first liberated town in the Homeland War, which over the past three decades has healed its war wounds and restored the rich cultural heritage that not only Lipik but the entire county is proud of.
“Perhaps this project seems small today compared to those that follow, but at the time it was approved, it was the largest and most significant. In a way, it completed Lipik’s tourist offer and everything this city strives for – returning to the paths of old glory,” concluded Jozić.
The Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects, Dragan Jelić, expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the project, noting that Lipik has visibly developed in recent years thanks to a combination of European and national funds and strong support from the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
“This project once again confirms how important European and national funds are for stimulating the development of local communities,” emphasized Jelić. He added that SAFU, in cooperation with Požega-Slavonia County, implements projects with a total value of €100 million. “When we talk about Lipik, we are talking about investments reaching €30 million, which clearly shows how much this city is recognized as a valuable and promising partner in the implementation of development projects,” concluded Jelić.
State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić, also the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, congratulated on the successful realization of the project.
“Here, in the heart of Lipik, we witness how vision, dedication, and unity can awaken the full potential of a space. Villa Dobre Vode becomes a symbol of cultural renewal, but also a bridge to new opportunities – both in the health-tourism and economic sense,” said Mikulić.
He thanked the leaders of the City of Lipik and Požega-Slavonia County for their dedicated work, effort, and clear vision for development, highlighting them as a positive example of how local communities, with national-level support and smart use of European funds, can become strong drivers of change.
The cultural-travelogue program continued with a scenic interpretation titled “How Did One Arrive at the Ball?”, in which Lipik interpreters interestingly portrayed aristocratic customs and social etiquette of former times. This was followed by a reception featuring a performance by the SciFiDelity Orchestra, during which guests, in organized groups, had the opportunity to tour the interior of the renovated villa. With this event, Lipik once again showed that it knows how to combine tradition with innovation, and culture with the warmth and openness of human encounters.
