February 18, 2023 - Mario Romulic from OPG Čudesna šuma is one of the most creative gardeners we know. On his self-sustaining eco farm, Mario practices ecological food production according to biodynamics and natural farming principles. 

Mario Romulic is a Croatian photographer who became recognised for his "wildlife" photos, and because of the incredible shots he took in Kopački rit, he was called its "good spirit". During the pandemic, Mario replaced his old job with the Čudesna Šuma (Magical Forest) eco estate, located not far from Bilje, in the vicinity of Osijek. Because of this, his life is less stressful today and filled with health, peace, tranquillity and happiness, writes Green.

Serious health problems prompted Mario to start studying the food we buy in shops, and because of this, he started growing food in his small garden six years ago. "I decided I have to produce my food if I want to eat healthily," says Mario.

At the beginning of cultivating his garden, he learned about permaculture; later, he discovered biodynamic agriculture and fully devoted to it. "Biodynamics is perhaps the most extreme form of ecological food cultivation. The food obtained with such an approach is considered a medicine, it is so healthy and full of vitality. By consuming such food, I transfer its life force to myself."

Seeing how well the food he grows affects his health, Mario decided to go one step further and recently started producing natural cosmetics, i.e. organic creams to treat pain and varicose veins, as well as anti-acne creams.

"The creams are made from our plants, which I grow using biodynamic cultivation. We use herbs such as medical hemp, lavender, aloe vera, fennel and habanero pepper. They are obtained through an ultrasonic process to extract plants," said last year's winner of the Green Prix award in the Greenlider category.

 To make creams, Mario bought a laboratory. It contains ultrasound and a machine for evaporating tinctures. "We extract the alcohol from the tincture of the dry hemp flower; then we use it to get an extract from the plant and obtain an oil that we later mix into creams. We finish the entire production process with an ultrasonic process, which is, let's say, the most modern and highest quality way of producing the extract. The sound penetrates the cell and reaches the plant's extract, i.e. its best properties," explains Mario.

As he said, he started making creams for himself and his health problems. "I make the recipes in collaboration with different doctors of Chinese medicine; we check which extracts are the best and how to make a product that will satisfy all needs as much as possible. I tested the first products on myself and my family members. My children had acne problems, I had joint pain, and my wife suffered from varicose veins. The creams proved to be excellent for all our problems".

When he announced on his Facebook profile a few days ago that he had started producing creams, he encountered a wave of positive reactions from loyal followers who pre-ordered Mario's organic creams in the comments. "The interest is huge, but we do not make creams in large quantities. They are small batches, but those who have had the chance to try them are delighted. You wouldn't believe the changes they felt after just a few uses".

Unfortunately, we will have to wait for some time for the miraculous creams to reach everyone who needs them, but since Mario succeeds in everything he sets his mind to, we believe that he will succeed in proving the magical and healing power of nature to people all over Croatia very soon.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.

June 5, 2022 - The National Environmental Awards 2022-Green Prix were awarded on Saturday night at the Greencite Festival, being presented by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipovic. Renowned Croatian photographer Mario Romulic received the Greenlider 2022 award.

The National Environmental Awards are given by the ministry in partnership with the Greencite Festival, the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, and in cooperation with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), reports N1.

Minister Davor Filipovic noted that this award was being presented on the occasion of World Environment Day, June 5, which is celebrated in a special way this year with a conference in Stockholm, 50 years after the first conference on environmental protection was held.

The unique message of the conference was, he added, that the next 10 years should be years of action in resolving the triple planetary crisis - climate, biodiversity, and pollution, and achieving the goals of sustainable development.

“The transition, the transformation towards different models of management and operation and different models of production and consumption is not easy and cannot happen overnight. However, there are those in our society who, with their special commitment and creativity, are making positive changes", said Minister Filipovic, before congratulating all of the winners.

Photo: Davor Puklavec/PIXSELL

The National Environmental Awards - Green Prix were awarded in six categories.

The Green Prix for the green campaign in 2022 was won by Hanza Media with the project "Reduce bills, turn on the sun!", and the best green innovation was awarded to Ecolant, an ecological lantern made of non-combustible paper.

The award in the category of local and regional self-government as drivers of green change went to the City of Varazdin for the project "Solar Potential Map", while in the category of education for climate future the award was won by the Ivo Padovan High School in Blato, for the project called ''Practice to Excellence, Renewable Energy,'' which involved the installation of a 10kwh photovoltaic power plant on the school building.

The winner who has been most successful in decarbonizsng the community was the well known company Valamar Riviera and EON Croatia.

Photo: Davor Puklavec/PIXSELL

According to the decision of the general public, the award for Greenlider 2022 was won by Mario Romulic, the renowned Croatian wildlife photographer, who, during the pandemic, began work on his property, OPG Cudesna suma, where he organises workshops and creates and grows "Food Forests" in which they imitate young forest natural bio-systems combining the concept of orchards and gardens.

"Love and observe nature, learn from nature and live in harmony with nature,'' Mario Romulic said when accepting the award.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

December 18, 2021 - The media leader in promoting the idea of sustainable living, National Geographic Croatia, presented the 2021 Yellow Frame award for Sustainable Development, Science, and Education in 17 categories. Among the winners are Mario Romulić and OPG Čudesna Šuma, and the Osijek Center for Peace, Nonviolence, and Human Rights.

The Yellow Frame is awarded as part of the comprehensive Sustainable Croatia project, implemented with the Office of the Croatian President, the City of Zagreb, the Ministry of Economic and Sustainable Development, and the project partners JANAF and RTL. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, according to which the categories are divided, have been defined by the United Nations. The Yellow Frame highlights companies, individuals, associations, and institutions that have contributed the most to sustainability, developing knowledge in the country, protecting the environment, and human values in Croatia, reports HRT.

In the "Response to Climate Change" category, Mario Romulić and his family farm OPG Čudesna Šuma was awarded the Yellow Frame. As stated in the explanation, "Romulić is a world-famous photographer, and they also call him the good spirit of Kopački rit. He is a fighter against climate change, an ecologist, an advocate of healthy eating and food production, and a promoter and educator of coexisting with nature. He lives with his family on his eco-farm and family farm Čudesna Šuma, which promotes biodynamic agriculture; there are several wooden houses for birds as well as "hotels" for insects, composting sites - sustainable agriculture in full glory."

Mario Romulić, who came to Zagreb for the award accompanied by his sons Ivor and Svebor, thanked everyone for the nomination and the expert jury for recognizing their dedicated work in nature and environmental protection. "Also thanks to all the friends, attendees of our workshops, associates, sponsors, our teachers, companions, and all those who support us and help us, as well as all those we inspire, and without whom this award would not have come to our hands, nor would it make any sense," Romulić pointed out.

The Yellow Frame for Sustainable Development, Science, and Education in category 16 - Peace and Justice / Strong Institutions was awarded to the Osijek Center for Peace, Nonviolence, and Human Rights. Its Executive Director, Natalija Havelka, accepted the award.

"The Osijek Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights is an association of citizens founded in the turbulent 1992, encouraged by the circumstances of the war, with the desire to contribute to ending the war and building peace. The activities of its members are aimed at building peace, protecting and promoting human rights and freedoms, dealing with the past, providing free legal aid, and promoting creative methods of resolving conflicts at the individual, group, and political levels. He advocates conscious involvement in the construction of the European Union as a peace project and for taking responsibility for the common destiny of humanity and planet Earth. There is no alternative to peace, non-violent problem-solving, and respect for human rights," the statement said.

"This year as well, we awarded the most valuable among you with the prestigious 'Yellow Frame' award. Among all the applications, it wasn't easy to select only one winner per category who, with their work and efforts in sustainable development, education and science, made a special contribution to society. National Geographic continues to encourage individuals and associations to contribute to the preservation and survival of planet Earth and human civilization through 17 goals of sustainable development and invites you to apply next year and walk with us on the yellow carpet," concluded National Geographic Croatia.

You can follow the Romulic magid on the Magical Forest Facebook page. 

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 13, 2021 – OPG Čudesna šuma: How an unexpected turn of events helped world-renowned photographer Mario Romulić realise his lifelong dream.

War and genocide and the aftermath. Famine. Disease. Death. In a former life, harrowing images filled the lens of internationally renowned photographer Mario Romulić. But thankfully, we're now far from such scenes.

In fact, at OPG Čudesna šuma - Mario Romulić's home and family farm - we're pretty much far from everything. One other eco-farm is his only neighbour. Well, unless you count the llamas the Romulić family keep out back. Occasionally, through the rich green of surrounding trees, you see birds flying above the branches. Probably they're toing and froing from Kopački rit. The nearby Nature Park is less than a kilometre from OPG Čudesna šuma. Famously, the wetlands are home to over 250 species of birds. They are also the reason why Mario Romulić is here.

Kopački rit Nature Park © Kopački rit Nature Park.

“Back then, I was very occupied with Kopački rit,” remembers Mario of the time, 21 years ago, when he moved to what is now OPG Čudesna šuma. “I was working as a cameraman for people like Reuters, all over the world. The assignments would last 7-10 days and I'd be in places like Afghanistan, Rwanda, Congo, Liberia, Bosnia. It was often quite dangerous. For the next 20 days, I would spend a lot of time in Kopački rit, trying to calm my nerves. It was something like a cure after seeing all these horrible scenes. Eventually, instead of travelling every day from my home in Osijek to Kopački rit, I decided to try and find something close by. And this is what I found.”

Just as this beautiful, natural landscape in Bilje, Baranja once served as a peaceful getaway for Mario Romulić, his OPG Čudesna šuma today does the same for others. Because, after dreaming for two decades of turning this blissful plot and homestead into a forest farm and eco-village, Mario Romulić is finally turning that vision into a reality.

The impossibly pretty OPG Čudesna near Kopački rit Nature Park, Bilje Municipality, Baranja © OPG Čudesna šuma.

“Because of my job - first, travelling all around the world, then travelling Croatia - I did not even have much time to think about it, let alone do it,” says Mario. “But, then Corona came. Finally, I found myself at home. At last, I had time to work on my dream.”

OPG Čudesna šuma in the Month of Baranja Cooking (Mjesec baranjske kuhinje)

A group of 30 or so are Mario's guests today at OPG Čudesna šuma. They're here for a presentation of speciality cooking. It's the grand finale of the Month of Baranja Cooking (Mjesec baranjske kuhinje).

Over previous weeks, OPGs from all across the region have welcomed guests to try goulash, soups, stews, perklet and other traditional foods of the area. While visiting, they've been embraced by the beautiful landscape of Baranja. Not only have they discovered how this delightful, distinct cuisine tastes, but also they've learned exactly how it's prepared. However, they've evidently saved the best for last. On the menu today, river fish inventively cooked, accompanied by a riotous rainbow of seasonal vegetables.

Seasonal vegetables of Baranja in springtime at the Month of Baranja Cooking (Mjesec baranjske kuhinje) © OPG Čudesna šuma.

It's a beautifully sunny day, right at the start of May. It depends on your preference, but looking across this happy vista in the glorious sunshine, it's difficult to imagine this not being the perfect time to be in Baranja. Young children are raised to chest height by their parents so they can meet Mario's free-roaming llamas face-to-face. The children's faces flit between surprise, curiosity and delight. The llamas return their stare. They're used to welcoming new guests.

Meeting the Romulić family llamas at OPG Čudesna šuma © Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit.

Partially shaded by trees, the smiling adult guests sit casually on wooden benches around a central, outdoor cooking area. Several open fires display a range of traditional cooking methods. Steam rises from a cast-iron stove suspended over one. Beneath the vapours, you can make out the dish is fish paprikash. It's unmistakable because of the deeply red coloured bubbles, a result of generous amounts of paprika.

Guests enjoy a warm springtime day at OPG Čudesna šuma during the Month of Baranja Cooking (Mjesec baranjske kuhinje), as fish paprikas cooks over an open fire © OPG Čudesna šuma.

A huge bag of this paprika sits propped up, close by. It's from another organic OPG, just a kilometre or so from here. The colour is vivid, impossibly red, unrecognisable from anything store-bought. At the next fire, pike impaled on wooden sticks are placed far enough from the flickering flames so they cook slowly and do not burn.

Pike impaled on sticks, cooking by an open fire at OPG Čudesna šuma @ Marc Rowlands.

In the outdoor kitchen, Mario Romulić's co-chefs prepare an unending supply of fish dishes and vegetables. Carp, catfish, trout, bream. There's a bounty of fresh asparagus. It's that time of year. With the restraint of experience, they've cooked it perfectly. After the crunch of the bite, the flavour explodes. They're seasoned simply – delicious olive oil and sea salt.

Seasonal asparagus, perfectly cooked, served with smoked river fish © Marc Rowlands.

A group of peers – accomplished chefs from Osijek-Baranja restaurants – peak over the shoulders of Romulić's co-chefs. They're admiring the inventive techniques employed. Although, being chefs, they can't help themselves. They end up briefly forgetting their families in order to help out.

Mario Romulić, the host with the most

Mario Romulić © Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit.

After all the guests arrive, Mario Romulić holds court. Cheerily he welcomes us all to OPG Čudesna šuma and the event. Without question, the success of rural, village tourism depends on the personalities of the hosts. It's no good plonking a group of visitors in a pretty place and throwing some food in front of them. We've all seen trees, grass and food before. Rural tourism is not just about the place, it's about the experience, the ambience. And, especially, it's about the people.

Hands down, the OPGs of Slavonia and Baranja are the best in Croatia at this. The folks here are famous for their friendliness, warm welcome and big personalities. And, Mario Romulić has one of the biggest of them all.

In the research for this reportage, looking back at archive pictures of Mario Romulić is startling. During his years spent as an international photographer, he himself has been photographed many times – on assignment in distant countries, at the opening of exhibitions that have showcased his celebrated work. In most, there's an intensity to his stare. It's sometimes difficult to look at. He looks like a man who has tales you never want to hear, like a man who has seen too much.

(L- R) OPG Čudesna šuma co-chef at the event Mihael Tomić, renowned Osijek chef Ivan Đukić currently of Osijek's Lipov Hlad and a happy Mario Romulić © Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit.

By comparison, the Mario Romulić that welcomes us at OPG Čudesna šuma today is unrecognisable. Sure, there's a little more grey to his long hair and beard but, otherwise, he looks incredibly healthy and happy. The intense stare is gone, replaced by a warm, wide smile that shows across his entire face. Even in early May, he has a darkened skin tone, the telltale signs of a man who spends much of the day outdoors. Romulić's enthusiasm for his guests and the event is palpable. After his sincere welcome, this enthusiasm is immediately transferred to each of his guests.

Mrs Romulić ensures everyone's glass is overflowing with wine or juice. One of Mario's teenage sons helps out with the food, while the other is taking photographs of the event. Well, someone has to do the photography now that dad wants to be a chef and host! Mario himself is engulfed in smoke. Among the other duties he's assumed today, Mario is tending a smoker. Without a doubt, this is the most revelatory cooking method we meet today.

Mario Romulić tends to smoked river fish, a revelatory gastronomic experience at OPG Čudesna šuma © Marc Rowlands.

Smoked fish of Slavonia and Baranja at OPG Čudesna šuma

An American-style smoker, loaded with river fish. TOP TIP: A great way to stop fish sticking to the grill of your barbecue or smoker is to place them on top of a layer of lemon slices © OPG Čudesna šuma.

“We do have smoked fish here, but not in this way,” he says. “This is more like an American grill. I never heard of anyone trying Baranja cooking like this. Actually, I never heard of anyone nearby who has a smoker like this. The first time I tried stuka (pike) in the smoker, that was unbelievable. It's incomparable, really special.”

Exquisite presentation of river fish by the enthusiastic team of OPG Čudesna šuma © Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit.

“In Slavonia and Baranja, there are just a few ways we usually cook our river fish - carp on sticks, fish paprikash, perklet and fried fish. So, we tried something new, to expand the palette. For instance, almost nobody eats Babuška (a type of carp). They feed it instead to their pigs. It costs 5 kuna a kilo! But, if you cook it in this completely natural way, it's delicious.”

More river fish, cooked by the team of OPG Čudesna šuma © Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit.

He's not wrong. Today's mountain of different smoked fish is the talk on most of the adult lips. The rich flavours surprise. Compliments and returns for second helpings ensue. Mario stands to one side, happily watching as his smoked fish secret escapes. In the future, he plans similar events based on other regional foods - Black Slavonian pig, wild meats like deer or boar. Eventually, in the seven hectares of land he owns here, he would like to expand OPG Čudesna šuma as an eco-village, with beds for visitors, a natural swimming pool and then surround it with a food forest. Big plans. It looks as though the camera may stay more permanently in the hands of his son. Because it's difficult to imagine Mario Romulić leaving his happy place and the realisation of his long-held dream.

Mario Romulić in his happy place, with a friend © OPG Čudesna šuma.

Both the author and Total Croatia News would like to thank the following for their invaluable help in creating this article: Ivana Jurić and the Tourist Board of Osijek-Baranja County, OPG Čudesna šuma, Mario Romulić and family, Renata Forjan and Turistička zajednica Općine Bilje - Kopački rit and Domagoj Butković of expert travel guides to Slavonia and Baranja, Kulen travel.

April 30, 2020 - Celebrated photographer and timelapse master Mario Romulic combines his unique skill set so showcase his wonderful organic farm at OPG Romulic in Baranja. 

One of my favourite people in Croatia is Mario Romulic, the hairy half of the Osijek Maestros, better known as the photographer and timelapse geniuses, Romulic and Stojcic. 

Here is an example of their timelapse work, Krka National Park by night.

I have known Mario for about 9 years, ever since he kindly helped me out with some photos for my Hvar guidebook all those years ago, and we have been firm friends since. He has also been a big supporter of TCN with his photography, which always make my articles look 10 times more interesting. But Mario has another passion apart from photography.

OPG Romulic. 

Just a few minutes drive north of Osijek and about 1 kilometre from Kopacki Rit Nature Park is Mario's family home and 4 hectares of land. His garden is set in idyllic woodland, and he has created a quick magical organic garden with wooden holiday home with total privacy at the end of the garden. We went to stay there back in October on our outstanding family weekend in eastern Croatia. 

What started out as a change to a healthier lifestyle has slowly developed into the start of a small business, with OPG Romulic offering health, organic lifestyle breaks. Add in the chance to have a photo safari of the natural beauty of Kopackii Rit with Mario himself, and this is truly a wonderful side of Croatia that people rarely experience. 

With the current crisis and with more and more people looking to buy and grow local, Mario was ahead of his time - here he is more than a month ago with an interview for the Croatian media, which TCN also carried, Croatian Photographer Mario Romulic Makes Case for Self-Sufficiency. 

The OPG Romulic Facebook page has been very active recently, as Mario has been combining his organic farming skills with that of his legendary timelapse photography. Above and below, you can see how potatoes and planted and organic gardens built, Romulic-style, with more photos of this little slice of organic paradise below.

To follow the latest OPG Romulic goodness, follow the official Facebook page. 

Mario Romulic is known as an extremely talented photographer, but that isn't all he does. This artistic eye is also a well known farmer, and he has made a strong case in the face of the coronavirus pandemic for us all to start to try to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on others.

''Produce healthy food for yourself, don't depend on others! Now you can see how important it is to cultivate a piece of land - you'll feel far safer and healthier. Who knows what awaits us, perhaps what's happening is just a warning,'' says famed photographer and increasingly famous farmer, Mario Romulic.

As Agroklub writes on the Mario Romulic is a professional photographer in the field of video and photo production, and he also has his own OPG to which he is increasingly devoted. "I enjoy farming and hope it manages to become my main source of income soon. Currently, it's still mostly coming as a cost to me because it requires constant investment. We produce mostly vegetables, and the motive from the beginning was for my family to live healthily," says Mario Romulic, who processes a surplus of produce to share with friends, and to make some money off his production.

The decision to focus on healthy food production is prophetic at the moment...

I'd be the happiest guy if goods were traded, but under the condition that everyone produces healthy foods. "Commodity exchange makes sense if everything is produced the same way, in this case, in a high quality way. We're based on an organic agriculture, everything is organic and we produce things according to permaculture principles," he describes, adding that this year, he wanted to start cultivating on the principle of biodynamics. He had arranged a visit from Hrvoje Novosel, a biodynamic practitioner, but the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic has of course thrown a spanner in the works.

"The decision to focus on healthy food production is prophetic at the moment. Our plan is to achieve self-sufficiency. We have our own eggs, and soon we'll have fish in the pond so that we have no concern for the future. I'd love for other people to start thinking that way,'' Mario Romulic says as he looks at the plants around him.

"It's all usable, look at this dandelion - it can be used in many ways, from frying it, through syrups to honey. There are no weeds, every herb is useful. We make tea from nettles, not to mention how much we use it for fertiliser. Most people consider a weed to just be a weed, but I don't, I even grow weeds! Without using it otherwise, I can always compost it so it will serve as food for other plants,'' he explains.

I want everyone to get through this difficult time as easily as possible, says Romulic.

Photography is the love of Mario's life. Thanks to his talent with a camera, he travelled all over the world, but then he decided to settle down and put down roots in Baranja, more precisely in Bilje, and create his own little paradise there.

"I'm sorry for the people living in apartments who are now in a very awkward situation. I hope everyone gets through this difficult time as easily as possible, the recent earthquake made it even more difficult for people in Zagreb and its surroundings. To me personally, the situation with coronavirus was almost welcome because otherwise I'd be running around the coast now and taking photos. At the moment, I have a lot of time for myself without any plans, and for the production of food for the family, as well as for others. We have four hectares, which is more than enough for us, so that I can help others out too if necessary,'' notes Mario, who collects waste plant material as well as domestic animal excrement from a neighbouring farm.

What would you tell people in these difficult times?

"If you have the opportunity, go out into nature, pick some wild plants, prepare your organism - purify yourself! There are plenty of onions , it is not hard to recognize, the nettle is a miraculous plant and excellent against this vicious virus. If you can, certainly grow something for yourself. These recommendations are currently harder to implement, perhaps impossible for many, but it's certainly time for people to understand the importance of such a lifestyle, and understand the significance of living in harmony with nature.

Nature gives us everything we need, it's just up to us to take what it provides, but with a deep level of respect. Because it will give us back what it has tenfold depending on the way we treat it,'' he points out, and reminds us of the warnings to keep our distance from each other. Usually in nature there will be enough space for everyone, but we need to stick to the prescribed distance.

"Produce healthy food for yourself, don't be dependent on others! Now, it's important to try to cultivate a piece of land - you'll feel far safer and you'll be healthier. Who knows what is waiting for us around the corner, maybe this is just a warning,'' Mario Romulic warns.

For more on Croatian OPGs, products and companies, follow Made in Croatia. For rolling updates and information on coronavirus in Croatia in English, make sure to stay up to date with our dedicated section.

The Hvar wildfire captured by famous Croatian photographer Mario Romulić.