Damir Macanić, Director, Osijek Tourist Board
Five Stars Croatia Issue 2 — April 01, 2007.

The river Drava is linked to Osijek, its citizens and its visitors. It is also linked to the city’s long history thanks to the creation of a beautiful promenade that extends almost along the entire length of the right bank of the river Drava.

Thousands of people enjoy taking a stroll, bike ride or walking their dogs along this walkway throughout most of the year. And as of the 1960, this promenade also serves to protect the city against flooding. Thousands of children from Osijek, as well as those who love rivers, spend their summers on the river's swimming beaches or take a ride on the river's float (kompa), a specific tourist attraction which joins the west side of Osijek to the zoological gardens.

Even though the territory of Osijek, as we know it today, has been inhabited since Neolithic times, the origin of Osijek traces back to the year 1196. It was then that the name Eszek was documented for the first time. After Turkish rule in Osijek (1526-1687), little physical proof was left regarding Osijek's origin. Similarly, little was left of the bridge considered to be the 8th wonder of the world, which extended between where the Fortress stands today, across the river Drava and through swamp lands to Darda, in Baranja. Today, the people of Osijek are reminded of the retreat of the Turks from their city with the ringing of church bells every Friday at exactly 11 am. This tradition dates back to the year 1687.

Osijek's Fortress (Tvrđa) is without a doubt the most attractive site within the city and in this part of Croatia. A strong military defense base, it was built during the first half of the 18th century because of constant threat of attack by the Ottoman Empire. The military complex of the Osijek Fortress never did serve its intended purpose, but it did become the founding core of the city, as we know it today. Within these defending walls, life emerged. Theater performances and concerts were held in the Fortress's Magistrate building and one of the first post offices in this part of Europe, which today may be found in the exact same location, was available for the people of Osijek. Within the Fortress walls, a pharmacy, a school, Jesuit and Franciscan monasteries, as well as a library and a marketplace for the trading of foodstuffs, wines and salt could also be found.

Meanwhile, the east and west sides of the city were developing and life was emerging from the Upper and Lower parts of the city, including Novi Grad (New Town) located south of the Osijek Fortress. In order to avoid financial losses, it was agreed that the market fairs held independently in the various parts of Osijek would take place at the same time. Therefore, the Fortress and the Upper and Lower Towns joined together on December 2nd, 1786 to create a united whole - this day is officially celebrated as the "Day of the City".

Thanks to its favorable geographical location and its well-developed markets and industry, Osijek was the largest city in Croatia up until the beginning of the 19th century. After World War II, the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Croatia was based upon the infrastructure already in existence in Osijek and upon the knowledge of the city's educated trades people. The Industrial Revolution did not harm the urban appearance of this central European city in any way and Osijek has been able to maintain this look today.

Osijek's parks and gardens have been created in accordance to various park architectures. Park kralj Petar Krešimir IV is an example of French garden architecture and extends over a well-maintained 25 km2 surface. And the Kralj Tomislav garden is a typical example of nonchalant English park architecture. These are only two of the 17 larger parks in the city of Osijek. Visitors are attracted to these parks because of their greenery and because they are unpolluted.

In 1884, the fathers of the city of Osijek built the first horse-drawn streetcar. The route, running from the west towards the east, followed the course of the right bank of the river Drava. The streetcar was a recognizable symbol of Osijek back then and continues to be a symbol for the city today. In the year 2006, streetcar routes were expanded to encompass the southwest part of the city. In the near future, the southeast part of the city will also join this network, which now supports the use of modernized streetcars. The city's wide streets and avenues link fifteen of Osijek's large squares.

The two largest Baroque squares, Holy Trinity Square, located in the Fortress, and the newly renovated Ante Starčević Square, surrounded by secession-style structures and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul located on Saint John Paul II Square (dearly dubbed "The Cathedral" by the people of Osijek), are certainly considered most interesting by the people of Osijek and by its visitors.

When walking from A. Starčević Square towards the Fortress, one will pass by a fortune in Osijek architecture. Such gems include beautiful succession-style palaces; specific because of the gardens located in front of them, which are separated from the sidewalk with extravagant succession-style wrought iron fences. Osijek's uninterrupted row of succession-style buildings with their accompanying gardens is one of the longest in these parts of Europe.

At the beginning of this row of succession buildings lies the Urania movie theater. This building was constructed in the year 1912 and was actually intended to be a movie theater. Considered both contemporary and urbanized, Osijek was one of the first cities to construct a movie theater in Europe during the emergence of this "seventh art form".

After several hours of walking through the beautiful, well-maintained succession-style parts of the city, the lovely, manicured parks and gardens, as well as the Baroque Fortress, it would be a good idea to get something to eat! Quality restaurants may be found anywhere between the Lower Town and Retfala, to the west. Many restaurants offer native Slavonian specialties, with the Kod Javora tavern in the Lower Town deserving special mention. Fine international cuisine may be consumed in the restaurants of the hotels "Osijek" and "Waldinger", while one may experience a gastronomic Mediterranean feast in "Laguna Croatica" situated directly behind the Cathedral. You may order roasted lamb in the "Plavi Podrum"... just to name a few of the gastronomic oases available.

Visitors will not have any trouble finding accommodations in Osijek. Quality accommodations, offered in all categories, may be found in any of the six hotels currently in function in the city. Hotel "Osijek" and Hotel "Waldinger" are contemporary, luxury hotels of the highest category. Smaller, family-owned hotels include "Villa Ariston" and Hotel "Silver", which offer pleasant accommodations in their categories, while the "Mursa" and "Central" hotels provide excellent services to their less-demanding guests.

Afternoons may be spent touring Osijek's galleries, museums, and exhibitions or attending various lectures. Visitors who wish to learn more about the city may go for a walk in the company of one of our tour guides. Guided tours are offered in the Croatian language as well as in several different international languages. And don't forget to take a ride on our streetcar that was constructed back in 1926 and which survived World War II and the Homeland War!

For those who prefer romantic experiences, horse-drawn carriage rides from A. Starčević Square to the Baroque Fortress are available. At the Fortress one will be able to meet the city's constable (a local tour guide dressed in a 19th century constabulary uniform). Evenings may be spent in the Croatian National Theater, located in the center of the city. Or after dinner, one may have a drink in one of the hundred cafés located in Osijek, each one offering a unique atmosphere.

Osijek is a city well known for its sports as well. There are a great number of sports clubs in the city and many local and international sports competitions have been held here. If you have not yet been to Osijek, we are sure that you will not want to miss some of the international sports competitions planned in the year ahead. You may here arrive by train, via the highway or you may fly into one of Osijek's two airports. Come and be our dear guests!