Healing thermal water, Lipizzaner horses, Spa Garden, glass production… These and many other elements of tangible and intangible cultural heritage make Lipik, a Slavonian town located on the slopes of Psunj – stand out.
Although many archaeological sites from prehistoric and medieval times speak volumes of this area, Lipik became known in Europe in the early 19th century, when the construction of the architectural and urban spa complex began, which influenced the landscaping of the public garden but also the residential architecture of Lipik. It is this complex that became the symbol of the town and turned it into an acclaimed tourist and health resort. At the turn of the century, Lipik became one of the most popular European spas, alongside Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary.
The First and then the Second World War temporarily halted the development of Lipik, but the town soon resumed investing in the modernization and expansion of the spa complex, all along developing together with it. Although the spa dominated the city, the flat glass factory and the bottling of mineral water, the well-known Lipički Studenac, added modern industrial air to Lipik.
The beginning of the 1990s was devastating, both for the whole country and for Lipik. The consequences of the destruction in the War for Independence are still visible, in the form of severe damage or even complete destruction of many buildings in Lipik. The integrated project of development and revitalization of Lipik’s cultural heritage, the Terme Lipik Project, will incite the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage and restore putting into operation and the use of the tourist potential of the town, so that it shines once again with full splendour and renew the centuries-old tradition of the best spa.
