Osijek, Croatia

The Tvrđa district of Osijek
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osijek_%28tvr%C4%91a%29.JPG
Author: Dtom
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Osijek is a city on the northeastern part of Croatia. It covers 30 sq km (11.6 sq mi) and has a population of 108,000 (2011 estimate), making it the fourth largest city in the country.

Osijek is the main city in the region of Slavonia, which is in eastern Croatia. It is also the administrative center for Osijek-Baranja county. The city is located on the bank of the river Drava, about 25 km upstream from its confluence with the river Danube.

Osijek, Croatia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osijek_panorama.jpg
Author: VelikiMeshtar
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The warmest month in Osijek is July, when the average high temperature rises to 28°C (82.4°F). Coldest month is January, when the average low temperature drops to -4.2°C (24.4°F). June is the wettest month, receiving precipitation totalling 81.8 mm (3.22 in).

Human habitation in the area around Osijek dates back to Neolithic times. In AD 131, the Romans established a settlement here called Mursa. It was destroyed in the Battle of Mursa Major in AD 351. After that Croat tribes moved into the area and started a new settlement, which they called Osijek, "ebbing water," because it was on high ground above flood waters.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Osijek
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osijek,_%C5%BDupanijska,_chr%C3%A1m_III.jpg
Author: Aktron/Wikimedia Commons
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The earliest recorded mention of Osijek appeared in 1196. The village was the feudal property of the Korogyi family from 1353 until 1472. Then in 1526, it came under Ottoman rule. The Ottomans rebuilt the Osijek in the Turkish style. In 1566, the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent built an 8-km boat-bridge here. The boat-bridge was considered one of the wonders of the world.

In 1687, the Austrian Habsburg Empire captured Osijek from the Ottomans. They built a new fort in Osijek called Tvrđa. Under the Austrians, German-speaking settlers moved in to occupy Osijek. By the 19th century it had become the largest city in Croatia.

Croatian National Theater, Osijek
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HNK_Osijek.JPG
Author: Modzzak
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When Yugoslavia disintegrated, Osijek became part of Croatia. In the subsequent war from 1991 to 1995, it suffered a civilian casualty of over a thousand people, mainly due to bombings within the city. Now that peace has returned, the city is slowly restoring its old quarters, which are filled with charming medieval houses.

Visiting Osijek

Osijek is a rail and road transport hub for Croatia. You can easily take a train here from Sarajevo, Budapest, Koprivnica and Rijeka. There are also bus services between Osijek with all the major cities of Croatia as well as Belgrade, Pecs, and other surrounding cities.

Places of Interest in Osijek

Church and Monastery of St James (Sv. Jakov)
Built in 1702, this is the oldest building in the Upper Town. It includes a Capuchin monastery.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul Sv. Petar i Pavao
Church in the Neo-Gothic style dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. It is called a cathedral due to its size, although it actually isn't one.
Church of St Michael (Sv. Mihovil)
Church built by the Jesuits in the 18th century, on the site of the 16th century Kasim-paša mosque.
Church of the Holy Cross (Sv. Križ)
Church built by the Franciscans in 1709-1720 on the site of an earlier medieval church. It houses the first printing press in Slavonia in 1735.
Croatian National Theater (Hrvatsko Narodno Kazalište)
The national theater was built in the 19th century in the Moorish style.
Europe Avenue (Europska Avenija)
The main thoroughfare of Osijek, it runs from the Fort (Tvrđ) to Upper Town (Gornji grad).
Gallery of Fine Arts (Galerija Likovnih Umjetnosti)
Gallery established in 1954. It occupies a 19th century house. Paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries are exhibited here.
Museum of Slavonia (Muzej Slavonije)
Museum occupying the eastern wing of the Osijek Town Hall since 1946, it showcases exhibits related to the region. Among the objects on display include Greek, Illyrian and Roman artifacts.

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