Jump to content
Search

Osijek

Coordinates: 45°33′20″N 18°41′40″E / 45.55556°N 18.69444°E / 45.55556; 18.69444
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Osijek
City
Grad Osijek
City of Osijek
Palace of Slavonian General Command
Tvrđa
The City Guard
Saint Michael Church
European Avenue
Osijek Co-cathedral
Ante Starčević Square
Pedestrian bridge
Flag of Osijek
Flag
Coat of arms of Osijek
Coat of arms
Nicknames: 
Grad na Dravi (City on Drava), Nepokoreni grad (Unconquered City)
Map
Osijek is located in Osijek-Baranja County
Osijek
Osijek
Location of Osijek in Croatia
Osijek is located in Croatia
Osijek
Osijek
Osijek (Croatia)
Osijek is located in Europe
Osijek
Osijek
Osijek (Europe)
Coordinates: 45°33′20″N 18°41′40″E / 45.55556°N 18.69444°E / 45.55556; 18.69444
Country Croatia
RegionSlavonia
County Osijek-Baranja
Government
 • MayorIvan Radić (HDZ)
 • City Council
31 members
 • Electoral districtIV
Area
[1]
 • City
174.9 km2 (67.5 sq mi)
 • Urban
59.1 km2 (22.8 sq mi)
Elevation
94 m (308 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • City
96,313
 • Density550.7/km2 (1,426/sq mi)
 • Urban
75,535
 • Urban density1,280/km2 (3,310/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
31000
Area code31
Vehicle registrationOS
ClimateCfb
Websiteosijek.hr

Osijek (Croatian pronunciation: [ôsijeːk] ⓘ) is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja County. It is also the fourth largest city in Croatia, with a population of 96,848 in 2021.[3] Osijek lies on the right bank of the Drava River, 25 km (16 mi) upstream of its confluence with the Danube, at an elevation of 94 m (308 ft). Osijek is 16 km (10 mi) west of Croatia's border with Serbia.

Name

[edit]

The city was named for its location on elevated ground, which protected it from flooding by local swamps. The name Osijek is derived from the Croatian word oseka, meaning "ebb tide." Osijek has different names in different languages due to its history within the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman Empire, as well as the presence of German, Jewish, Hungarian, and Serbian minorities throughout its history. The city is referred to as Eszék in Hungarian, Esseg or Essegg in German, Ösek in Turkish,[4] Mursa in Latin, and Osijek in English.[5][spelling?]

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

The origins of human habitation in the Osijek area date back to Neolithic times,[6] with the city's first known inhabitants being the Illyrian tribe of Andizetes. In the second half of the 4th century BCE, Osijek was one of the settlements targeted by an invading Celtic tribe, the Scordisci, who eventually settled there permanently.[7]

After the Roman conquest of Pannonia, Osijek, then known as Mursa, came under the administration and protection of the Roman Seventh Legion, which maintained a military castrum at the colony as well as a bridge over the river Drava. There is evidence that the Roman emperor Hadrian established the settlement from scratch.[8] He raised Mursa to the status of a colony with special privileges in 133 CE. Afterwards, Mursa experienced a turbulent history, with several decisive battles taking place in its immediate vicinity. These conflicts had long-term consequences for the colony and the wider region, which was already under increasing pressure from the westward migration of Alemanni, Gepids, Goths, Marcomanni, Vandals, and other tribes, fleeing from the invading Huns. Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the subsequent destruction of local tribes by the Avar Khaganate in the 6th century, this region was resettled by Slavic tribes that began mass-migrating to Southeastern Europe between the first half of the 6th and 7th century, in the Early Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded mention of Osijek dates to 1196.[9] Between 1353 and 1472, the town was a feudal property of the Kórógyi family.[10] After the death of the last Kórógyi, King Matthias Corvinus granted authority over Osijek to the Rozgonyi family. On 8 August 1526, the city was nearly destroyed by the invading Ottoman army,[9] which ransacked it just before the Battle of Mohács.[11] In 1529, a Turkish garrison was installed there.[12] Afterwards, the Ottomans rebuilt the city in Ottoman oriental style, and it was mentioned in the Ottoman census of 1579.[13] In 1566, Suleiman the Magnificent built an 8-kilometre-long wooden bridge of boats in Osijek, considered at that time to be one of the wonders of the world.[14] In the Ottoman Empire, Osijek was part of the Sanjak of Pojega, Budin Eyalet, and became a commercial centre as an important conduit for East-West trade.[4]

Following the Second Battle of Mohács, Osijek was captured by the Habsburg monarchy on 29 September 1687 after more than 150 years of Ottoman rule.[15]

Battle of Osijek, fought on 11 August 1685 between the Imperial Habsburg army, commanded by James, 2nd Count Leslie, and the Turks, resulting in an Habsburg victory
Plan of Tvrđa in Osijek 1861
Osijek in the late 17th century
Bastion in Tvrđa
Osijek 1904
Bombing of Osijek 1944

Habsburg Empire

[edit]
Ante Starčević Square with Osijek Co-cathedral

When the Habsburg Empire defeated the Ottomans, Osijek was restored to Western rule.[16] Between 1712 and 1715, Austrian authorities constructed a new fortress, outer walls, and all five planned bastions (authored by Austrian architect Maximilian Gosseau de Henef) known as Tvrđa,[17] in the heart of the town. Holy Trinity Square is surrounded in the north by the building of the Military Command, in the west by the Main Guard building, and in the east by the Magistrate building (presently Museum of Slavonia). In the centre of the square, a monument to the plague was erected in 1729 by the widow of General Maximilian Petras.[18]

The Gornji Grad ("Upper Town") was founded in 1692, and the Donji Grad ("Lower Town") followed soon afterwards in 1698. They were mostly settled by the inhabitants of the swampy area of Baranja. Tvrđa, Gornji Grad, and Donji Grad continued to function as separate municipalities until 1786, when they were united into a single entity.[19] In the late 18th century, it took over from Virovitica as the centre of the Virovitica County. The Habsburg Empire also facilitated the migration and settlement of German immigrants into the town and region during this period.[20] A particular German city dialect, Essekerisch, developed.[21][20]

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.[22] The city developed along the lines of other central European cities, with cultural, architectural, and socioeconomic influences filtering down from Vienna and Buda.[citation needed] At the beginning of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, the town was held by the Hungarians, but on 4th of February 1849, it was taken by the Austrians under General Baron Trebersberg.[23]

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Osijek was the seat of the Virovitica County[23] of the autonomous territory Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia in Austria-Hungary.[24]

During the 19th century, the city's cultural life largely revolved around the theatre, museums, collections, and printing houses (notably those of the Franciscans). The first museum, the Museum of Slavonia, opened in 1877 through private donations.[25] City society, fostered by a prosperous economy and expanding trade relations, was characterized by religious festivals, public events such as fairs, entertainment, and sports. In the 19th century, the city was also expanded with the construction of the Novi Grad (New Town) district and the development of Retfala to the west.[citation needed]

Twentieth century

[edit]

The newest additions to the city include Sjenjak, Vijenac, Ivana Meštrovića, Novi Grad, and Jug II, which were built in the 20th century. The city's geographical riverside location, along with the noted cultural and historical heritage, particularly the baroque Tvrđa, one of the most immediately recognizable structures in the region, significantly contributed to the development of tourism. The Osijek oil refinery was a target of Allied air forces, specifically RAF and USAAF strategic bombers during the Oil Campaign of World War II.[26]

After the war, the local German-speaking populace was expelled. The daily newspaper Glas Slavonije was relocated to Osijek and has been printed there ever since.[citation needed] In 1947, the history archive was established in the city and the GISKO (city library) in 1949. A children's theatre and an art gallery opened, and the volunteer fire department DVD "Hrvatska Elektroprivreda" was founded in 1950 (separate from the DVD "Vodovod" founded in 1947).[27] As a continuation of the tradition of promoting national heritage, particularly in music, culture, and art, the tamburitza band "Pajo Kolarić" was established on 21 March 1954.[28]

Since 1958, Osijek has been connected to the Croatian Republic's capital, Zagreb, and the former federal capital, Belgrade, by a modern paved road. The new Drava bridge to the north was built in 1962.

The first faculty opened in Osijek was the Faculty of Economy (in 1959 as the Centre for economic studies of the Faculty of Economy in Zagreb),[29] followed immediately by a school of agriculture, later renamed as the Faculty of Agriculture[30] and the Faculty of Philosophy.[31] The Faculty of Law was established in 1975.[32] This became the first member of the newly established University of Osijek.

As part of its development as a regional food industry and agricultural centre, a major (working) collective was established in 1962. During the 1980s, a new pedestrian suspension bridge was constructed over the Drava.

Croatian War of Independence

[edit]
Main article: Battle of Osijek
War of Independence memorial
Red Fićo installation

During the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995, the city sustained extensive damage caused by the invading troops of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and several Serbian paramilitary formations, especially Željko Ražnatović's Serb Volunteer Guard. Osijek was particularly damaged in the centre, at the Co-cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul,[33] and in the periphery. About 800 people were killed in the shelling of the town from August 1991 to June 1992.[34] Overall, a total of 1,724 people from Osijek were killed over the course of the war, including 1,327 soldiers and 397 civilians.[35] At least five Croatian officials were condemned for war crimes against Croatian Serb civilians in Osijek, including General Branimir Glavaš.[36]

Climate

[edit]

Osijek has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb).

Since records began in 1981, the highest temperature recorded at the airport at an elevation of 88 metres (289 ft) was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F), on 24 July 2007. The coldest temperature was −26.2 °C (−15.2 °F), on 9 February 2012.[37] The highest temperature recorded in Osijek itself, where records began in 1899, was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F), on both 1 July 1950 and 24 August 2012.[38] The coldest temperature was −27.1 °C (−16.8 °F), on 31 January 1987.[39] From 1981 to 1991, the lowest temperature at the RC Čepin station was −27.4 °C (−17.3 °F), on 31 January 1987.[40] Since records began in 2011, the coldest temperature at the Tvrđavica station was −25.6 °C (−14.1 °F), on 9 February 2012.[41]

Climate data for Osijek (1971–2000, extremes 1899–2014)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.0
(66.2) 		23.0
(73.4) 		26.9
(80.4) 		30.9
(87.6) 		36.0
(96.8) 		39.6
(103.3) 		40.3
(104.5) 		40.3
(104.5) 		37.1
(98.8) 		30.5
(86.9) 		25.8
(78.4) 		21.3
(70.3) 		40.3
(104.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.3
(37.9) 		6.5
(43.7) 		12.3
(54.1) 		17.2
(63.0) 		22.6
(72.7) 		25.6
(78.1) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.5
(81.5) 		23.4
(74.1) 		17.4
(63.3) 		9.4
(48.9) 		4.7
(40.5) 		16.5
(61.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6) 		1.8
(35.2) 		6.4
(43.5) 		11.2
(52.2) 		16.7
(62.1) 		19.7
(67.5) 		21.3
(70.3) 		20.8
(69.4) 		16.5
(61.7) 		11.0
(51.8) 		5.1
(41.2) 		1.2
(34.2) 		11.0
(51.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		1.3
(34.3) 		5.5
(41.9) 		10.5
(50.9) 		13.6
(56.5) 		14.8
(58.6) 		14.5
(58.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		6.1
(43.0) 		1.6
(34.9) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		6.0
(42.8)
Record low °C (°F) −27.1
(−16.8) 		−26.4
(−15.5) 		−21
(−6) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−3
(27) 		1.0
(33.8) 		4.7
(40.5) 		5.1
(41.2) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		−8.6
(16.5) 		−15.7
(3.7) 		−23.2
(−9.8) 		−27.1
(−16.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41.4
(1.63) 		35.1
(1.38) 		40.5
(1.59) 		51.0
(2.01) 		59.2
(2.33) 		82.0
(3.23) 		65.4
(2.57) 		61.9
(2.44) 		51.0
(2.01) 		56.6
(2.23) 		61.7
(2.43) 		49.1
(1.93) 		654.9
(25.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 11.3 10.6 11.2 13.0 13.3 13.4 10.6 9.9 9.4 10.5 11.7 12.3 137.2
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm) 10.3 7.8 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 6.5 28.9
Average relative humidity (%) 87.5 81.9 74.1 71.3 70.1 70.9 69.6 71.8 76.2 79.2 86.1 88.5 77.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 58.9 96.1 145.7 171.0 217.0 231.0 260.4 251.1 189.0 142.6 69.0 55.8 1,887.6
Percentage possible sunshine 20 34 42 45 52 55 60 61 53 44 25 21 45
Source: Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service[42][43]

Population

[edit]
Historical population
of Osijek
YearPop.±%
1880 25,260—    
1890 27,801+10.1%
1900 33,407+20.2%
1910 40,106+20.1%
1921 42,930+7.0%
1931 51,871+20.8%
1948 58,046+11.9%
1953 66,073+13.8%
1961 84,652+28.1%
1971 109,189+29.0%
1981 123,944+13.5%
1991 129,792+4.7%
2001 114,616−11.7%
2011 108,048−5.7%
2021 96,848−10.4%
Source: Naselja i stanovništvo Republike Hrvatske 1857–2001, DZS, Zagreb, 2005
Osijek Old Town, Tvrđa
Church of Saint Michael
The modern urban settlement of Sjenjak
Suburban houses

According to the 1910 census, the city of Osijek had 31,388 inhabitants. The official Austrian census lists 12,625 as Croats, 11,269 as Germans or Danube Swabians, 3,729 as Hungarians, 2,889 as Serbs, and 876 others. According to religion, there were 24,976 Roman Catholics, 2,943 Orthodox Christians, 2,340 Jews, 594 Reformed (Calvinists), 385 Evangelicals, 122 Greek Catholics, and 28 others.[44][45] After World War II, a significant part of the Danube Swabian population was forcibly expelled by the Yugoslav communist authorities as a form of revenge for their presumed participation in the German occupation of Yugoslavia. Their property was first confiscated, then nationalized, and, afterwards, redistributed to World War II victims.

According to the 1981 census, the total population of the city had reached 104,775, including 63,373 (60.48%) Croats, 13,716 (13.09%) Serbs, and 1,521 (1.45%) Hungarians.[46]

Prior to the Croatian War of Independence, the 1991 census recorded a total population of 165,253, composed of 110,934 (67.1%) Croats, 33,146 (20.0%) Serbs, 3,156 (1.9%) Hungarians, 276 (0.16%) Germans, and 17,741 (10.7%) people categorized as Yugoslavs or "others."[47]

According to the census of 2001, the total population of Osijek dropped to 114,616. Croats made up the majority of Osijek's citizens, comprising 86.58% of the city's population. Other ethnicities include 8,767 (7.65%) Serbs, 1,154 (1.01%) Hungarians, 480 (0.42%) Albanians, 211 (0.18%) Bosniaks, 175 (0.15%) Montenegrins, 178 (0.16%) ethnic Macedonians, 124 (0.11%) Romani, and others, including 24 Jews.[48]

Osijek's population in 2001 included 96,600 (84.28%) Roman Catholics, 78 (0.07%) Eastern-rite Catholics, 8,619 (7.52%) Orthodox Christians, and 966 (0.84%) Muslims and others.[49]

In the census of 2011, the following settlements were recorded:[3]

City of Osijek: Population trends 1857–2021
v
population
20858
24863
25260
27801
33407
40106
42930
51871
58063
66073
84652
109189
123944
129792
114616
108048
96313
18571869188018901900191019211931194819531961197119811991200120112021
Sources:Croatian Bureau of Statistics publications

The city's population is divided into the following units of local administration:[50]

Saponia chemical industry is the largest factory in the Osijek area.

Institutions and industries

[edit]
Eurodom Osijek
Portanova Shopping Centre

Major institutions in Osijek include the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (established in 1975), the Croatian National Theatre, the Museum of Slavonia (established in 1877), and the printing house dating to 1735. The city also has several gymnasiums, the oldest dating to 1729, a drawing school from the 19th century, a zoological garden, a centre for the promotion of livestock breeding, and an institute for sugar beet farming.[citation needed]

The Saponia chemical factory is the largest factory in the Osijek area. It is a major producer of detergents, soap, and cosmetics whose products are recognized throughout the region as being of quality.[51] It is by far the largest exporter in the city area. Other industries include a regional brewery, the Pivovara Osijek (first Croatian beer),[52] a sugar processing plant, as well as a Kandit candy factory.[53] The Niveta brush factory, founded as Siva in 1922 still operates.[54]

The Osijek area used to be much more industrialised, and a broad range of goods and products were manufactured there. One of the earliest factories was the Drava match factory, established in 1856, which no longer exists.[55]

Other industries included production of synthetic materials, agricultural machinery, metal furniture, wood and timber, textiles, footwear, and silk, as well as metal processing and printing. However, the 1990s saw most of these industries decline and, in some cases, close completely. The city remains at the centre of an important agricultural region.[citation needed]

Politics

[edit]
Normann Palace, today seat of the government of the Osijek-Baranja County
Osijek Municipal and County Court

In the November 2007 elections, no party held a majority, which is customary for Croatia, as local elections have proportional representation. However, the three mathematically possible coalitions faced political issues that made coalition-building difficult. The November elections were early (izvanredne) elections caused by the breakdown of the coalition of the two main parties, the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and the Croatian Democratic Assembly of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB). The cause of the breakdown was disagreement over the building of a new sports stadium.[56][57]

At the elections held on 25 November 2007, the HSP and the HDSSB gained seven seats each, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) six seats, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) four, and the Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats (HNS) one.[58]

A possible coalition between HDSSB and SDP provoked criticism of the Social Democrats for lack of principle, including from Damir Kajin, who called it a "sellotape coalition," alluding to the charges of war crimes that the HDSSB leader Branimir Glavaš is facing.[59] After the parties failed to agree on a coalition, the Croatian government called new elections for the city.[57] These elections took place on 9 March 2008 and gave the HSP nine councilors, the HDSSB six, HDZ five, SDP three and a coalition of HNS and two smaller parties two. Anto Đapić has expressed his hope for a coalition with the HDZ.[60]

Minority councils

[edit]

Directly elected minority councils and representatives are tasked with consulting tasks for the local or regional authorities in which they are advocating for minority rights and interests, integration into public life and participation in the management of local affairs.[61] At the 2023 Croatian national minorities councils and representatives elections Albanians, Hungarians, Germans, Slovaks and Serbs of Croatia each fulfilled legal requirements to elect 15 members minority councils for the City of Osijek while Bosniaks, Macedonians, Montenegrins of Croatia elected individual representatives.[62]

Society and culture

[edit]
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
European Avenue
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek

Cultural events

[edit]

Numerous cultural events take place in Osijek throughout the year. The long-running International Festival of Tambura Music (Međunarodni festival umjetničke tamburaške glazbe) is held annually in late spring and draws tambura ensembles from across Croatia and the region.[63] During the summer months Osijek organises the "Osijek Summer Nights" (Osječke ljetne večeri), a programme of open-air cultural and entertainment events held on streets and promenades in June–August.[64] The Day of the City of Osijek (Dan grada Osijeka), celebrated on 2 December, is marked by cultural and artistic programmes and public events.[65][66]

The surrounding area, particularly the Kopački Rit nature park in Baranja, offers guided boat tours, angling and regulated hunting in designated zones, making it a popular destination for nature tourism and recreational fishing.[67]

Cuisine

[edit]

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 boiled dumplings, venison, slavonski čobanac and fish dishes such as the famous riblji paprikaš (fish stew made with paprika). The two brands of beer brewed in Osijek are Osječko and Esseker.[68][69]

Sport and recreation

[edit]
Opus Arena
Gradski vrt Hall

The Gradski vrt sports complex includes Gradski vrt Hall (Dvorana Gradski vrt), built for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship and later used for major sporting events including the 2017 Davis Cup tie between Croatia and Spain.[70] The city hosts the Pannonian Challenge annually, an internationally known extreme sports festival for skateboarding, BMX and inline skating.[71] The new Opus Arena, the home stadium of NK Osijek with a capacity of 13,005, was officially opened on 22 July 2023.[72]


The recreational and sports centre Copacabana, opened in 1980, on the left bank of the Drava river, provides opportunities for various water-sports (outdoor swimming pools and a sandy beach with facilities) during the summer months.[73] The city also offers numerous outdoor playgrounds and courts for football, handball, Basketball, and Tennis.[74] NK Osijek is the city’s main football team, playing in the Croatian First League, and their organised supporters are the Kohorta Osijek. The team formerly played at the Gradski vrt Stadium in Osijek.[75] Before the Second World War, the city’s most successful club was Slavija Osijek, which was dissolved in 1941.[76]

A motorcycle speedway stadium existed in City Garden, immediately adjacent to the Gradski vrt, on the north side. The Gradski stadion opened in October 1953 and closed in September 1987,[77] and staged a qualifying round of the Speedway World Championship in 1955, 1979, and 1982[78] and a round of the 1977 World Cup.[79]

A new sports hall (Dvorana Gradski vrt) was built as the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship venue. Osijek hosts an annual extreme sports contest and festival called the "Pannonian challenge," which features competitions in skateboarding, inline skating, freestyle BMX, and MTB dirt racing.[80] Osijek hosted the 2017 Davis Cup World Group between Croatia and Spain at the Gradski vrt Hall in February 2017.

The new Opus Arena stadium, with a capacity of 13,005 spectators, was opened on 22 July 2023 with the official match of the first round of the Croatian First League between the NK Osijek and NK Slaven Belupo.

Tourism, sights and attractions

[edit]
Hotel Osijek

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, Ante Starčević Square, Tvrđa the 18th century Baroque citadel, the promenade along the Drava ("promenada"), and the suspension pedestrian bridge toward Baranja.[81]

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. The city is home to a monument to Ante Starčević.[82]

The Co-cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Osijek is a Neo-Gothic structure designed by German architect Franz Langenberg (with Richard Jordan contributing). Its tower rises to approximately 90 m (some sources say up to 94 m), making it the second-highest church tower in Croatia. [83] Though commonly referred to by locals as “the cathedral” due to its size and prominence, it served as the parish church until its elevation to a co-cathedral in 2008. The interior features around 40 stained-glass windows, and the main altar and sculptures were crafted by Eduard Hauser. The church sustained significant damage during the 1990s Croatian War of Independence, resulting in partial loss of those windows.

A panoramic view of the pedestrian bridge over the Drava.

Festivals and Events

[edit]

Osijek has become home to several large festivals and events, including Urban Fest Osijek, an annual music festival, and Pannonian Challenge, an annual extreme sports festival.[84]

Transport

[edit]
Osijek cable-stayed Drava Highway Bridge, the longest bridge in Croatia. (81 metres longer than the Pelješac bridge)
See also: Osijek tram system

Transport links to and from Osijek include major railway and highway junctions, a river port, and Osijek Airport. International flights from the airport to Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany commenced in March 2008.[85] A four-lane highway, part of the Pan-European Corridor Vc, linking Osijek to the rest of the Croatian modern highway network, was completed and opened in April 2009. From Osijek, it is possible to take the train or bus to numerous destinations including, Zagreb, Rijeka, Požega, Virovitica, Našice, Slavonski Brod, Erdut, Vrpolje, Dalj, and Đakovo.[86][87]

A small tram network runs through the city, which has been in continuous operation since 1884, and is the only tram network still in operation in Croatia outside of Zagreb. The network is currently being completely overhauled and more than doubled in length, and the city's old trams have been thoroughly modernized.[88][89]

Notable people

[edit]
Main article: List of people from Osijek

Notable people who were born or have lived in Osijek include:

Acknowledgements

[edit]

Honorary citizens

[edit]

Source[91]

International relations

[edit]

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Croatia
Twin towns sign

Osijek is twinned with:[92]


Demographics

[edit]

Ethnic composition (2021)

[edit]
Ethnic group Population Percentage
Croats 88,391 91.77%
Serbs 4,188 4.35%
Hungarians (Mađari) 759 0.79%
Albanians 353 0.37%
Germans (Nijemci) 221 0.23%
Slovaks 207 0.21%
Macedonians 139 0.14%
Slovenes 69 0.07%
Roma 77 0.08%
Poles (Poljaci) 12 0.01%
Romanians 16 0.02%
Austrians 16 0.02%
Russians 9 0.01%
Other 1,863 1.93%
Total (Grad Osijek) 96,313 100.00%

[94]

Partner cities

[edit]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Cresswell, Peterjon; Atkins, Ismay; Dunn, Lily (10 July 2006). Time Out Croatia (First ed.). London, Berkeley & Toronto: Time Out Group Ltd & Ebury Publishing, Random House Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SV1V 2SA. ISBN 978-1-904978-70-1. Retrieved 10 March 2010.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Register of spatial units of the State Geodetic Administration of the Republic of Croatia. Wikidata Q119585703.
  2. ^ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements" (xlsx). Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in 2021. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Osijek". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.
  4. ^ a b Özgüven, Burcu (2010). "A Convention Centre on the International Road: The Osijek Fair During the Ottoman Period [Uluslararasi Güzergah Üzerinde Bir Ticari Merkez: Osmanli Döneminde Ösek Panayiri]" (PDF). Alternatif Politika. 2 (1): 1–17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 April 2018.
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T. (1879). "Mursa or Mursĭa". A Latin Dictionary. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 1178. ISBN 978-0-19-864201-5. {{cite encyclopedia}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  6. ^ Obelić, Bogomil; Škrivanko, Marija Krznarić; Marijan, Boško; Bronić, Ines Krajcar (2004). "Radiocarbon dating of Sopot culture sites (Late Neolithic) in eastern Croatia". Radiocarbon. 46 (1): 245–258. Bibcode:2004Radcb..46..245O. doi:10.1017/S0033822200039564.
  7. ^ Dizdar, Marko (2014). "Bronze belt from Osijek". In Guštin, Mitja; David, Wolfgang (eds.). The Clash of Cultures? The Celts and the Macedonian World (PDF). Schriften des kelten römer museums manching 9. Manching: Kelten Römer Museums. p. 189–200, page 189. ISBN 978-3-9812891-8-3.
  8. ^ Leleković, Tino (2017). "Hadrian and Mursa: The last colony". In Láng, Orsolya (ed.). Hadrianus MCM: Proceedings of the International Conference on the Occasion of the 1900th Anniversary of the Emperor Hadrian's Accession to the Throne. Budapest: Budapest History Museum. pp. 83–98, page 84. ISBN 978-615-5341-92-2.
  9. ^ a b Stallaerts, Robert (28 February 2010). Historical dictionary of Croatia. Scarecrow Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-8108-6750-5. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Middle Ages". City of Osijek: History. City of Osijek. 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013.
  11. ^ Setton, Kenneth Meyer (1976). The Papacy and the Levant, 1204–1571. Vol. 3. American Philosophical Society. p. 249. ISBN 978-0-87169-161-3.
  12. ^ Mažuran, Ive (1958). "Turska osvajanja u Slavoniji (1526–1552)" [Turkish conquests in Slavonia (1526–1552)]. Osječki zbornik (in Croatian). 6: 93–134, pages 114–115.
  13. ^ Jelinic, Srecko (2002). "Popis Sandžaka Požega — 1579" [Register of Sandzak Pozega from 1579]. Pravni Vjesnik (in Croatian). 18: 337–338.
  14. ^ Dorling, Kindersley; Zopp, Leandro (6 June 2011). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Croatia. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 189. ISBN 978-1-4053-6071-5. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Osijek after the Turks". City of Osijek: History. City of Osijek. 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013.
  16. ^ Bousfield, Jonathan (July 2003). Rough guide to Croatia. Rough Guides. p. 126. ISBN 978-1-84353-084-8. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  17. ^ Oliver, Jeanne (15 March 2005). Croatia. Lonely Planet. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-74059-487-5. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  18. ^ Olson, Karen Tormé; Olson, Sanja Bazulic (14 April 2006). Frommer's Croatia. Frommer's. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-7645-9898-2. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  19. ^ Osijek-history
  20. ^ a b Kordić, Snježana (1991). "Germanizmi u osječkom govoru danas" [Germanisms in modern Osijek speech] (PDF). In Andrijašević, Marin; Vrhovac, Yvonne (eds.). Prožimanje kultura i jezika (in Serbo-Croatian). Zagreb: Hrvatsko društvo za primijenjenu lingvistiku. p. 89. OCLC 443222199. S2CID 64774247. SSRN 3434569. CROSBI 447532. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  21. ^ Hans Gehl: Die deutschen Stadtsprachen in Temeswar und Esseg. In: Velimir Petrović (Hrsg.): Essekerisch: Das Osijeker Deutsch. Edition Praesens, Wien 2001, S. 127–144.
  22. ^ Dorling, Kindersley; Zopp, Leandro (6 June 2011). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Croatia. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-4053-6071-5. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  23. ^ a b  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Esseg". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 778.
  24. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Croatia-Slavonia" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 471.
  25. ^ Demo, Željko (1994). Ostrogothic coinage from collections in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Narodni Muzej. ISBN 9788680651156. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  26. ^ Raiford, Neil Hunter (October 2004). Shadow: a Cottontail bomber crew in World War II. McFarland. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-7864-1906-7. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  27. ^ Jagodin, Nikola; Runjić, Vedran (2022). "Popis vatrogasnih organizacija s datumima osnivanja" [List of Firefighting Organisations with Date of Founding]. Muzej hrvatskog vatrogastva (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 30 January 2023.
  28. ^ "FOTO/VIDEO Tamburaški sastav Pajo Kolarić na 'Spli'skim litnjim kolurima'". Dalmatinski portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku | EFOS – Povijest fakulteta". Efos.hr. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku". Pfos.hr. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Filozofski fakultet u Osijeku". Web.ffos.hr. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  32. ^ "Faculty of Law in Osijek – Content". Pravos.hr. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  33. ^ Župna crkva Sv. Petra i Pavla Apostola u Osijeku
  34. ^ Jegen, Mary Evelyn (1996). Sign of Hope: the Centre for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights in Osijek. Uppsala, Sweden: Life & Peace Institute. p. 14. ISBN 978-91-87748-34-9.
  35. ^ Amoreta, Bajto (28 June 2012). "Dan osječkih branitelja: "Opća opasnost" večeras". HRT. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  36. ^ Former war mayor Branimir Glavas is sentenced on 9 years of jail and he is war criminal fugitive now. Osječka Hvidra osudila uhićenje svojih članova[permanent dead link], seebiz.eu; accessed 20 January 2016. (in Croatian)
  37. ^ DHMZ (21 January 2022). "Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja". Državni hidrometeorološki zavod.
  38. ^ DHMZ (19 July 2022). "Najviše izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja". Državni hidrometeorološki zavod.
  39. ^ DHMZ (21 January 2022). "Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja". Državni hidrometeorološki zavod.
  40. ^ DHMZ (21 January 2022). "Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja". Državni hidrometeorološki zavod.
  41. ^ DHMZ (21 January 2022). "Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja". Državni hidrometeorološki zavod.
  42. ^ "Osijek Climate Normals" (PDF). Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  43. ^ "Mjesečne vrijednosti za Osijek u razdoblju1899−2014" (in Croatian). Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  44. ^ László Zentai and Pál Kósa (eds.) Talma Kiadó Atlas and Gazetteer of Historic Hungary 1914 Archived 14 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Talma Kiadó, 2001
  45. ^ Statisztikai közlemények, 42. kötet (új sorozat), Budapest, 1912 Archived 29 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ Stanovništvo prema nacionalnom sastavu i tipu naselja, popis 1981.
  47. ^ Popis stanovništva 1991, Republički zavod za statistiku – Zagreb
  48. ^ "Population by Ethnicity, by Towns/Municipalities, 2001 Census: County of Osijek-Baranja". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2001. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. 2002. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  49. ^ "Population by Religion, by Towns/Municipalities, 2001 Census: County of Osijek-Baranja". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2001. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. 2002. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  50. ^ "Mjesni odbori i gradske četvrti" (in Croatian). City of Osijek. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  51. ^ Sharma, Soumitra (1997). Restructuring Eastern Europe: the microeconomics of the transition process. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-85898-576-3. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  52. ^ "Contact". Osječka pivovara. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  53. ^ "Distribution Centers - Croatia". Kandit. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  54. ^ "Niveta, Osijek | Distribution". www.niveta.hr. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  55. ^ Yugoslavia. Komisija za Ekonomsku Historiju Jugoslavije (1 January 1985). Acta historico-oeconomica Iugoslaviae: časopis za ekonomsku povijest Jugoslavije. Komisija za ekonomsku historiju Jugoslavije. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  56. ^ "Šutnja u Osijeku". Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  57. ^ a b "Government calls early elections in Osijek for 9 March". Government of the Republic of Croatia. 24 January 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  58. ^ Osijek: Pokušaj riješavanja krize Archived 16 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Hrvatska radiotelevizija, 26 December 2007; accessed 13 January 2008
  59. ^ IDS osuđuje trgovinu Vlade i Osijeka[permanent dead link], Hrvatska radiotelevizija, 21 December 2007; accessed 13 January 2008
  60. ^ HSP najjači u Osijeku Archived 11 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine, vijesti.hrt.hr; accessed 20 January 2016.(in Croatian)
  61. ^ "Manjinski izbori prve nedjelje u svibnju, kreću i edukacije". T-portal. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  62. ^ "Informacija o konačnim rezultatima izbora članova vijeća i izbora predstavnika nacionalnih manjina 2023. XIV. OSJEČKO-BARANJSKA ŽUPANIJA" (PDF) (in Croatian). Državno izborno povjerenstvo Republike Hrvatske. 2023. pp. 15–18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  63. ^ Hrvatsko narodno kazalište Osijek / Hrvatski tamburaški savez — information on Međunarodni festival umjetničke tamburaške glazbe. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://hnk-osijek.hr/show/45-medunarodni-festival-umjetnicke-tamburaske-glazbe/
  64. ^ Turistička zajednica Grada Osijeka (TZ Osijek), "Osijek Summer Nights" event listing / programme. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://www.tzosijek.hr/stranica.php?id=1212
  65. ^ Total Croatia News / TZ Grad Osijek coverage of Osijek City Day (Dan grada Osijeka) and Advent/Kaleidoscope events. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://total-croatia-news.com/news/travel/osijek-city-day-advent-2021/
  66. ^ "PHOTOS: SPECTACULAR KALEIDOSCOPE LIGHTS OF OSIJEK CITY DAY AND ADVENT 2021".
  67. ^ Park prirode Kopački rit — official site / park overview (Kopački Rit Nature Park). Accessed 29 October 2025. http://pp-kopacki-rit.hr/
  68. ^ "Osijek's Craft Beer Tour, Where Croatian Beer Culture Began". Total Croatia. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  69. ^ "Osječko pivo (Beer of Osijek) | Bruketa&Žinić&Grey – full service advertising agency". 22 January 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  70. ^ "Gradski vrt Sports Hall".
  71. ^ "PC XXVI – Pannonian Challenge 2025". Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  72. ^ "Opus Arena – StadiumDB.com". stadiumdb.com. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  73. ^ "Osijek's shows its arty side: culture galore, more than ever before!" (PDF). Osijek in your pocket.
  74. ^ "Sport and recreation". Medberatung. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  75. ^ NK Osijek official website. “Kohorta – navijačka skupina NK Osijek.” Accessed 29 October 2025. https://nk-osijek.hr/klub/identitet/kohorta/
  76. ^ "Osijek".
  77. ^ "For many of us, a big dream has come true". Glas Slavonije. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  78. ^ "History Speedway and Longtrack". Speedway.org. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  79. ^ "1977 World Team Cup". International Speedway. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  80. ^ Horvat, Karmen (23 November 2007). "Osijek sports hall construction contract signed". Javno.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  81. ^ "20 great things to do in Osijek | Things to do | Time Out Croatia". Time Out Croatia. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  82. ^ "Osječani rekli "Da" spomeniku Ocu Domovine – na glavnom trgu otkriven spomenik dr. Anti Starčeviću". City of Osijek. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  83. ^ "Co-Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Osijek | Culture & Art | Croatia4me - Jouw vakantie naar Kroatië begint hier!". Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  84. ^ "History – PC XXVI". Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  85. ^ "First international flight departs from Osijek International Airport". Osijek Airport. 14 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  86. ^ "OVERVIEW OF POTENTIALS AND BENEFITS – invitation to companies to Invest in Osijek" (PDF). Invest in Osijek booklet.
  87. ^ "Croatian Motorways / Hrvatske autoceste — A5 motorway (part of Pan-European Corridor Vc)".
  88. ^ Építők, Magyar (26 March 2025). "Transport in Osijek on the verge of a revolution: renewal of the tram network and fleet". buildingconnections.eu. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  89. ^ "UrbanRail.Net > Europe > Croatia > Osijek Tram - Straßenbahn". www.urbanrail.net. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  90. ^ a b c T.M. (2 August 2022). "Notable people" (in Croatian). Zagreb: SiB.hr. RTL (Croatian TV channel). Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  91. ^ Srčnik, Alan (2020). "Svi počasni građani Osijeka, od Preloga, preko Šukera, do Mészárosa… A imamo i neke do '80. godine…". osijekexpress.com (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  92. ^ "Gradovi prijatelji". Grad Osijek (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  93. ^ "Osijek i Mostar postali gradovi prijatelji". osijek.hr (in Croatian). Osijek. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  94. ^ "Popis 2021". dzs.gov.hr. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Osijek.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Osijek.
History
Coat of arms of Osijek
Coat of arms of Osijek
Districts
Suburbs
Buildings and
landmarks
Churches
Culture
Galleries and
museums
Education
Sports venues
Transport
Festivals
Neighboring municipalities
County seats of Croatia
100,000+
Coat of arms of Croatia
Coat of arms of Croatia
50,000+
30,000+
15,000+
10,000+
Subdivisions of Osijek-Baranja County
Cities and towns
Coat of arms of Osijek-Baranja County
Coat of arms of Osijek-Baranja County
Municipalities
Tribes
People
Political entities
Geography
(cities/settlements)
Culture
Religion and mythology
Warfare and weaponry
Language
Roman period
Other
Lists
International
National
Geographic
Other
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osijek&oldid=1320753785"
Osijek
Add topic
Morty Proxy This is a proxified and sanitized view of the page, visit original site.