Discovery of a pearl

In the summer of 1956, amidst the serene and hilly landscape of Vučkovec, a village nestled in the north of Croatia, a tale of a remarkable discovery began. And like many such stories, this one too has a humble beginning. That summer, a 17-year-old lad named Josip Filipan, bid farewell to his school days and embraced a new role as a waiter in the local spa’s restaurant.

There he found himself immersed in the lively ambiance of the spa. The laughter and joyous expressions of the bathers never failed to capture his attention. Amidst the positive energy that permeated the place, his gaze would often wander towards the restaurant’s windows. Beyond the nearby brook, a lush green meadow extended, capturing his imagination and awakening a deep sense of curiosity, as if hinting at hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered.

A profound intuition stirred within Josip, urging him to claim that meadow as his own. The idea took root in his mind, and quickly blossomed into a steadfast resolve. With unwavering determination, he made a promise to himself that one day, this meadow will be his. However, until that moment, life had other plans for young Josip.

Upon turning 20, Josip joined the army where he underwent a transformative two-year experience. In addition to the rigorous military training, he also received training as a chef. With zest and dedication, he prepared delicious and nutritious meals for a wide range of people, from fellow soldiers to esteemed generals.

Following his army tenure, Josip returned to the vibrant realm of hospitality. He spent two years honing his skills, working as a waiter, then a chef, and finally rising to become a restaurant manager in Slovenia. Throughout his bustling professional life abroad, he occasionally returned to his homeland, passing through the peaceful streets of Nedelišće. It was during one such occasion, within the inviting walls of the local restaurant called Martin, that fate intervened. That day Josip decided to stop at the restaurant and take a short break from the road before returning home.

There, surrounded by the aroma of delicious food and coffee, cheerful music and the murmur of the guests, a young woman named Darinka, who was helping her parents in their restaurant, caught his attention. Her cascading curls of blonde hair, mesmerizing depth of her blue eyes and her gentle smile immediately captured Josip’s heart. In that fleeting moment, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that his love for her would last forever. Shortly after this faithful encounter, he sealed his devotion to Darinka with an official promise.

Several months after their wedding, the day came for Josip to fulfill a promise he had made to himself seven years earlier. Finally, the opportunity he had longed for presented itself, and he seized it – buying the meadow in Vučkovec. This was a monumental step towards the realization of his vision. However, uncovering the secrets hidden beneath the meadow’s surface required considerable financial resources. Drawing on the values instilled in him by his hardworking family, he knew exactly what path to take.

At first, Josip juggled several jobs simultaneously before joining forces with Darinka and taking over the management of her parents’ restaurant. Their love and united efforts breathed new life into the restaurant. The palpable joy radiating from the satisfied faces of what were now his own guests brought back memories of his humble beginnings. It was a well-deserved reward for all his efforts.

As the years went by, Josip and Darinka’s love blossomed further, blessing them with two beautiful children, who later gave them precious grandchildren. Amidst the rhythm of their lives, in the spring of 1995, the same feeling awoke in Josip that he had as a 17-year-old. The perfect moment arrived to put his longtime plan into action and explore the mysteries concealed beneath his beloved meadow.

Although many disputed his vision, Josip did not allow himself to be disturbed. With firm belief in himself and the support of his family, he moved boldly forward towards its realization.

He summoned geologists and mining experts to assist him in his endeavor and – guided by providence – pinpointed the exact spot for drilling the well. The experts suggested using a technique known as “coring”, by which the mineral composition of each soil layer can be analyzed.

As the coring process unfolded, the meadow gradually unveiled its subterranean story: An initial layer of gravel 2 meters thick, followed by staggering 90 meters of marl brimming with precious minerals, and then another thicker layer of gravel. This rich deposit of marl was a clear sign to geologists that they had stumbled upon a potential oil reservoir. In addition to minerals, the remains of various organisms, such as shells typically encountered at the bottom of the sea, were found within the marl, providing tangible evidence of a bygone era.

On the thirtieth day of exploration, at a depth of only 120 meters, a sudden surge of dark liquid erupted from the well, capturing everyone’s attention. Excitement rippled through the crowd as they initially believed oil had been struck. Yet, within seconds, the liquid’s color swiftly transformed before their eyes – shifting from black to brown, then to yellow, white, and finally becoming transparent.

In that unforgettable moment, the truth dawned upon the onlookers: It was not oil that had been discovered, but water instead. Thus, in July of 1995 – nearly four decades after Josip’s idea – Croatia’s first private well, aptly named Filipan-1, was established. Time would soon reveal the profound significance of this watery treasure, showing its value to surpass even the most precious drops of oil.

The water from the Filipan-1 well is a remarkable testimony to the power of nature. It tells a geological tale written across several epochs of time. Approximately 12 million years ago, during the Miocene epoch, the Pannonian Sea emerged – separated from the Paratethys Sea by the powerful dance of tectonic plates. It enveloped regions that now comprise Hungary, western Romania, northern Serbia, northeastern Croatia, and smaller parts of their neighboring countries. Spanning remarkable 9 million years through the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, the Pannonian Sea eventually dried out during the Pleistocene epoch. It got its name from Pannonia – a province of the Roman Empire that later covered a part of that area.

The epochs have left their mark, forming a mineral-rich sedimentary cover that in some places reaches over 4000 meters in depth. However, tectonic influences in the area of the Filipan-1 well disrupted the arrangement of its layers. Thanks to such geological conditions, the water from the Filipan-1 well has mineral content and chemical composition that is characteristic of a much greater depth than the one at which it was found.

Shortly after discovering the water scientists from the University of Zagreb visited the well. They took a sample of the water to examine its physical and chemical properties and give an opinion on its possible use.

The analysis showed the water to be a mineral water especially rich in bromide, iodide, sodium chloride, hydrogen carbonate, and many other essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as strontium and silicic acid.

Together they contribute to the total mineral content higher than 9000 milligrams in one liter of water. This makes it extremely rare and precious, which is why it has earned the title The Pearl of Pannonia.

The skin is a mirror of our inner health. It is a well-known fact that it responds to the physical and mental stress to which we are exposed on a daily basis. To keep the skin in its natural balance, in addition to a healthy diet and inner harmony, it is important to regularly moisturize it and nourish it with minerals.

Minerals present in The Pearl of Pannonia natural mineral water play an important role in supporting the skin’s defense barrier and regulating its moisture level. Their synergy helps maintain the skin’s vitality and youthful appearance.

News of the water’s discovery spread quickly, captivating locals and sparking interest even beyond Croatia’s borders. Newspaper and television reports soon began highlighting the many benefits of its minerals, attracting widespread attention.

It was a great confirmation to Josip that he had indeed found a pearl at the bottom of the ancient Pannonian Sea. However, perfection takes time. Just as a pearl in nature can sometimes take more than two decades to grow into an object of beauty, it took Josip and his family more than two decades of various trials and errors to develop a clear vision on how to share this rare gift of nature with the world.

In 2018, we – Karlo and Martina, Josip‘s grandchildren – founded the company The Pearl of Pannonia. Click the following links to get to know us better and learn more about the special features of our products.