In front of the southern entrance to Antun Janković’s castle, there are two specimens of the Ginkgo biloba deciduous tree, a female and a male specimen, originally from western China. They are located in the castle garden, which was created in parallel with the construction of the castle, and was completed in 1780.
It is the oldest tree species on Earth, existing for more than 200 million years. The tree in Daruvar is the largest and oldest in Croatia, and the second oldest in Europe. The locals also call the male specimen of Ginkgo biloba Adam, and with its luxurious canopy and trunk circumference exceeding seven meters, it enjoys protection as a horticultural monument as an individual tree. Otherwise, Ginkgo can grow up to 30 meters in height and 9 meters in width. Unlike the male specimen, the female specimen is tall and slender. Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious plant, it blooms from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The gingko in love from Daruvar was declared the Croatian tree of 2019.
GINKGO – ADAM’S STORY
I am the oldest ginkgo in Croatia, I come from Daruvar. I am more than 240 years old, and I have an ancient biblical name – Adam. Next to me is my love Eva, who has been faithfully watching over me and growing with me for centuries – as beautiful as any lady, just a tad shyer, that’s why she let me tell this story.
My story– If you listen very carefully to my silence, the whisper of my leaves will tell you that I am the biggest and oldest ginkgo tree in Croatia. I was so small and weak and no one had any idea that I would develop and grow so big. But I did it and officially became the most beautiful and oldest specimen of my kind in Croatia. I became a protected monument of nature, a symbol of the city and the main guardian of the Antun Janković Park in front of the Castle of the same name, which you must visit once you come to Daruvar.
I am a witness of time and a keeper of memories, a postcard from the past, your history and your future. I will tell you many stories about my city, a city that lies at the foot of the most beautiful slopes in Europe. I will tell you all about the fragrant vineyards that surround my Daruvar, about natural sources of healing thermal water and fang, healing mud, about our flower gardens and parks that are among the most beautiful in Croatia, about the famous beer that grows here almost better than flowers – and believe me, there are flowers at every turn. I will tell you about food that is still prepared with local ingredients directly from the vegetable garden, about fine cheeses and autochthonous wines. I will tell you stories about great loves, victories, defeats, coexistence, the fascinating culture of the Daruvar region with so much diverse ethnic wealth on this beautiful green piece of Europe.
I remember every hug and every tear – Despite the years, I remember every kiss I received from you under the shelter of my branches, a warm hug, children’s steps and laughter, every song, light walk or heavy step, every tear that slipped inconsolably onto the rustling carpet of my leaves. With my big branches, I hide the shy couples from view, offer shelter from the rain and thick shade from the heat. Under the thick bark of my trunk, in the growth rings, I carefully keep precious stories about the time spent with you.
I am immensely looking forward to our new sunrises and moonrises, new adventures that will certainly be written down in the growth rings!
Get to know the pearl of continental Croatia illuminated by the brightest stars of the dark sky.
I am Ginkgo from Daruvar, I am the love preserved in every leaf and each cell of my trunk. I invite you to come to the most well-organized small town in continental Croatia, a town that truly respects all the beauty of nature, a town where I managed to become this magnificent. Get to know Daruvar, the pearl of continental Croatia, a place where you have the opportunity to visit the Dark Sky Park and see for yourself that the Daruvar residents are illuminated by the brightest stars at night, like a diamond in a dark sky! Yours truly, Adam
Thanks to winning the title of the Croatian Tree of the Year in 2019, Gingko In love from Daruvar represented Croatia in the competition for the European Tree of the Year 2020 and won second place between 16 countries and admirable candidates.
