Osijek
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Wikipedia-Article "Osijek"
Osijek (Hungarian: Eszék; German: Esseg) is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 114,616 in 2001. Absolute majority of its citizens are Croats with 86.58% (2001 census).
It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of Slavonia (eastern Croatia), as well as the administrative center of the Osijek-Baranja county.
Osijek is located on the right bank of the Drava river, 25 km upstream of its confluence into the Danube, at an elevation of 94 m. Transportation links include major railway and highway junctions, a river port, and a regional airport.
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Institutions and industries
Major institutions in the city include the University Josip Juraj Strossmayer (established in 1975), the Croatian National Theatre, the Museum of Slavonia (established in 1877), and the printing house dating to 1735.
It also has several gymnasiums, the oldest of which dates to 1729, a drawing school from the 19th century, a zoological garden, a centre for the promotion of livestock breeding, and the Institute for sugar beet farming.
Osijek is a major industrial centre that manufactures a broad range of goods and products. The match factory Drava was established here in 1856 and the factory Saponia is an important chemical refinery.
Other industries include production of synthetic materials metal processing (agricultural machinery, metal furniture), wood and timber, textile, footwear, silk, printing industry. The local agricultural economy is strong, based upon farming, livestock breeding and fishing, with mills, sugar processing plant, brewery.
History
The beginnings of man's residence in Osijek goes back to neolithic times, and the first known inhabitants belong to the Illyrian tribes. Roman emperor Hadrian raised the old settlement of Mursa to a colony with special privileges in AD 331. After that, Mursa had a turbulent history, with a lot of decisive battles that took place here, deciding on the destiny of the whole region. After the migration, the Croats made a settlement near the ruins of Mursa, giving it its present name, Osijek. Life was thriving here in the Middle Ages, but only the traces of that life can be found today because the Turks destroyed everything they found and made a town to suit their style. The earliest mentions of Osijek date to 1196. The town was a feudal property of the Korog family between 1353 and 1472. The city was sacked and destroyed by the Ottoman Empire on August 8, 1526. The Turks rebuilt it in oriental style and it was mentioned in the Turkish census of 1579. Suleiman I built here his famous, 8 kilometers long wooden bridge, considered to be one of the wonders of the world. The town was officially promoted to a city by the end of the 17th century.
Osijek was restored to western rule when on September 29, 1687 it was occupied by the Habsburg Empire. Once again, Osijek was completely devastated. Between 1712 and 1721, new Austrian authorities built a new fortress (authored by the architect Maximilian de Gosseau), known as Tvrđa. It is a unique urban and military complex that lies in the heart of the town. Its main central Holy Trinity Square is closed on the north by the building of the Military Command, on the west there is the Main Guard building and on the east is the Magistrate building (presently Museum of Slavonia). In the middle there is a monument to the plague, erected in 1729 by general Petras' widow. The Gornji Grad (Upper Town) was founded in 1692 and Donji Grad (Lower Town) followed on 1698. Tvrđa, Gornji and Donji grad continued as separate municipalities until 1786. In late 18th century it took over from Virovitica as the center of the Verőce county.
In 1809 Osijek was granted the title of a Free Royal City and during the early 19th century it was the largest city in Croatia. The city developed along the lines of other central European cities, with cultural, architectural and socio-economic influences filtering down from Vienna and Budapest.
During the 19th century, cultural life mostly revolved around the theatre, museums (the first museum was opened in 1877 by private donations), collections and printing houses (the Franciscans). City society, whose development was accompanied by a prosperous economy and developed trade relations, was related to religious festivals, public events (fairs), entertainment and sports.
The Novi Grad (New Town) section of the city was built in the 19th century, as well as Retfala to the west. The newest additions to the city include Sjenjak, Vijenac, Jug and Jug II, which were built in the 20th century.
The city's geographical riverside location, and noted cultural and historical heritage — particularly the baroque Tvrđa, one of the most attractive structures in the region — facilitated the development of tourism.
Sights and events
Osijek remains a popular domestic tourist destination for its Baroque style, open spaces and ample recreational opportunities. The most important sights in the city include the main square, Trg Ante Starčevića, Tvrđa the 18th century Baroque citadel, the promenade along the Drava ("promenada"), and the suspension pedestrian bridge toward Baranja.
The Municipal Park of King Petar Krešimir IV and the Tomislav Park date from the beginning of the 20th century, and are protected national landmarks. Osijek is also home to one of the few Croatian zoological gardens, along the Drava river.
Numerous events take place in the city throughout the year. The most important of them are the Croatian Tambura Music Festival (in May), attended by tambura orchestras from all over Croatia, the Osijek Summer Nights (during June, July and August), a series of cultural and entertainment programs in the open, accompanied by excellent food and fairs. The Day of the City of Osijek is celebrated with a cultural and artistic activities and exhibitions.
The recreational and sports centre Copacabana, located on the left bank of the Drava river, provides opportunities for various water sports (outdoor swimming pools, a sand beach with various facilities) during the summer months. The city offers various playgrounds: football, handball, basketball, tennis courts, etc.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Osijek provide excellent opportunities for hunting and angling on the Drava river and its backwaters. Hunting in the area known as Kopački Rit (in Baranja) is famous beyond the borders of Croatia.
The abundance of game and agriculture has made Osijek the country's semi-official gastronomical capital. Local dishes include traditional Slavonian-style specialities (kulen, paprika-flavoured sausage, other kinds of sausages, ham, bacon, dairy products), as well as venison and fish dishes (the famous fish paprika stew).
The Osijek beer (Eseker) and Baranja wines are offered in restaurants in the town and its surroundings.
Famous people from Osijek
Josip Juraj Strossmayer (great Croatian Maecenas bishop)
Adolf Waldinger (19th century painter)
Hugo Conrad von Hötzendorf (19th century painter)
Bela Čikoš-Sesija (CSIKOS SESSIA) (painter, one among the first representatives of symbolism (secesija, art nouveau) in Croatia)
Franjo Krežma (famous violonist)
Lavoslav (Leopold) Ružička (chemist, Nobel prize winner - attended famous Osijek high school/gymnasium)
Franjo Šeper (Archbishop of Zagreb from 1960-1968, and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1968-1981)
Davor Šuker (football player)
External link
- City of Osijek, Official web site
- Osijek031.com City portal
- Osijek main square web-cam
- Osijek-Baranja county
- Weather information for Osijek
- News & events
- Osijek - tourist information
- Osijek-Baranja county - tourist information
- Glas Slavonije - local daily newspaper
- City radio
- Croatian radio - Osijek
- University of Osijek (J.J. Strossmayer University)
- Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Osijek City and University Library Catalog
- Osijek's Fortress Restoration Agency
- Museum of Slavonia, Osijek
- Croatian National Theatre in Osijek
- Children's Theatre in Osijek
- The Port of the City of Osijek
- Greens Osijek - ecological society
- Osijek Greens - ecological society
- Centre for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights - Osijek
- Football club Osijek
- Kohorta Osijek fan site
- Osijek Airport