Osijek

Osijek is the largest city in the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia. It is also the main economic and cultural center of this area and the administrative center of Osijek-Baranja County. With a population of 96,313 people as of the 2021 census, Osijek is the fourth-largest city in Croatia.

The city sits on the southern bank of the Drava River, about 25 km upstream from where the Drava meets the Danube. It is located at an elevation of 94 meters above sea level and is just 16 km west of the Croatia–Serbia border.

Name

Osijek's name comes from its location on higher ground, which helped protect it from floods in the nearby swamp areas. It comes from the Croatian word oseka, meaning "ebb tide." Because of its history under the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman Empire, and because of its many different ethnic groups, the city is known by many names in other languages: Eszék in Hungarian, Esseg in German, Ösek in Turkish, and Mursa in Latin. The English name for the city is Osijek.

History

Origins

People have lived in the Osijek area since very old times, during the Neolithic period. The first known groups were the Illyrian tribe called the Andizetes. Later, in the 4th century BC, the Celtic Scordisci people came and settled there permanently.

After the Romans took over the area called Pannonia, they built a place called Mursa. Roman soldiers lived there and built a bridge over the Drava River. Emperor Hadrian later made Mursa an important town. Over time, many battles happened nearby, and different groups like the Alemanni, Gepids, Goths, Marcomanni, Vandals, and Huns moved through the area. After the Western Roman Empire fell, Slavic tribes settled there during the Early Middle Ages.

The first time Osijek was written about was in 1196. From 1353 to 1472, a family called the Kórógyi owned the town. After the last Kórógyi died, King Matthias Corvinus gave Osijek to the Rozgonyi family. In 1526, an Ottoman army attacked and almost destroyed the city. The Ottomans built the city again in their own style and made it a center for trade.

Osijek was taken back by Habsburg forces in 1687, ending over 150 years of Ottoman rule.

Habsburg Empire

After becoming part of the Habsburg Empire, Osijek was rebuilt. Between 1712 and 1715, Austrian builders created a new fortress called Tvrđa in the town center. It had walls and five special corners called bastions. The main square, Holy Trinity Square, has important buildings around it.

New parts of the town, called Gornji Grad and Donji Grad, were created in the late 1600s. People from the Baranja region moved there. These areas were separate until 1786 when they joined together. During this time, German families also moved to Osijek, creating their own special way of speaking.

In 1809, Osijek became a Free Royal City and grew into Croatia's largest city. It developed like other cities in Europe, with influences from Vienna and Buda. In the 1800s, theatres, museums, and other cultural places started opening. The Museum of Slavonia was founded in 1877. New parts of the city, like Novi Grad, were built during this time.

Twentieth century

Osijek grew in the 20th century with new neighborhoods such as Sjenjak, Vijenac, Ivana Meštrovića, Novi Grad, and Jug II. The city's beautiful Baroque citadel of Tvrđa helped attract visitors. During World War II, the Osijek oil refinery was bombed.

After the war, many German-speaking people left the city. New cultural places opened, such as a children's theatre and an art gallery. The city's historical archive began in 1947, and the city library opened in 1949.

Osijek's modern roads and bridges began in the late 1950s and 1960s. It became connected to Zagreb and Belgrade by road, and a new bridge over the Drava River was built in 1962. Universities and colleges started, including the Faculty of Economy in 1959, followed by others. The University of Osijek was officially established in 1975.

The city also became important for food and farming, with a big agricultural collective starting in 1962. A new suspension bridge over the Drava River was built in the 1980s.

Climate

Osijek has an oceanic climate, which means its weather is mild and changes a lot through the year.

The hottest temperature ever recorded near Osijek was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) on July 24, 2007. The coldest temperature was −26.2 °C (−15.2 °F) on February 9, 2012. In the city itself, the highest temperature reached 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on two different days: July 1, 1950, and August 24, 2012. The lowest temperature in the city was −27.1 °C (−16.8 °F) on January 31, 1987.

Population

Osijek is a city in Croatia. In 1910, it had 31,388 people. After World War II, many people called Danube Swabians left the city.

By 1981, the population grew to 104,775. In 1991, it was 165,253. But after the Croatian War of Independence, the number went down to 114,616 in 2001.

In 2011, the main city area, Osijek, had 84,104 people. The city is divided into different local areas and neighborhoods.

Institutions and industries

Osijek is an important place for schools, museums, and factories. It is home to the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, which opened in 1975, and the Croatian National Theatre. The Museum of Slavonia, started in 1877, and a printing house that has been working since 1735 are also there. The city has many schools, including some very old ones, and it even has a zoological garden. There are also research centers focused on farming, like one for raising animals and another for studying sugar beet.

One of the biggest factories in the area is Saponia, which makes cleaning products, soaps, and beauty items. Other important factories include Pivovara Osijek, which makes beer, a place that processes sugar, and the Kandit candy factory. There is also a brush factory that has been working since 1922. In the past, Osijek had many more factories making things like matches, machines, furniture, clothes, and wood products. But many of these factories closed down in the 1990s. Even so, Osijek remains a key city for farming in the area.

Politics

In November 2007, Osijek had elections where no single party won most of the votes. This is common in Croatia because elections use a system where many parties can win seats. The elections happened early because two big parties, the Croatian Party of Rights and the Croatian Democratic Assembly of Slavonia and Baranja, could not agree about building a new sports stadium.

During these elections, the Croatian Party of Rights and the Croatian Democratic Assembly of Slavonia and Baranja each won seven seats. The Social Democratic Party won six seats, the Croatian Democratic Union won four, and the Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats won one seat.

Because the parties could not decide how to work together, new elections were held on 9 March 2008. In these elections, the Croatian Party of Rights won nine seats, the Croatian Democratic Assembly of Slavonia and Baranja won six, the Croatian Democratic Union won five, the Social Democratic Party won three, and a group with the Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats and two smaller parties won two seats.

Minority groups, such as Albanians, Hungarians, Germans, Slovaks, and Serbs of Croatia, have representatives to help make sure their interests are included in the city's decisions.

Society and culture

Osijek is full of interesting places and fun activities. You can visit Ante Starčević Square, the main city square, or explore Tvrđa, an old area with beautiful architecture. The city also has parks, a zoo, and a big church tower that is one of the tallest in Croatia.

Throughout the year, Osijek holds many cultural events. In the spring, there is a big festival for tambura music, where musicians from all over come to play. During the summer, "Osijek Summer Nights" brings music and entertainment to the streets. The city also celebrates its Day on December 2nd with special events.

Osijek is known for its tasty food, including special sausages, spicy stews, and fish dishes. The city even has its own beers to enjoy!

Sports fans will find plenty to do in Osijek. The Gradski vrt sports complex has a big hall for handball and other events. There is also a new stadium called Opus Arena, where the local football team, NK Osijek, plays. In the summer, you can visit Copacabana for swimming and other water activities. The city also hosts the Pannonian Challenge, a festival for skateboarding, BMX, and inline skating.

Transport

Osijek has many ways to get around, including trains, highways, a river port, and an airport. You can fly from Osijek Airport to Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany. A big highway, part of Corridor Vc, connects Osijek to other parts of Croatia and was finished in April 2009. You can take a train or bus from Osijek to places like Zagreb, Rijeka, Požega, and many more.

Osijek has a small tram system that has been running since 1884. It is the only tram system in Croatia besides Zagreb’s. The trams are being updated, and the tracks are being extended.

See also: Osijek tram system

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Osijek

Osijek has been home to many famous individuals throughout history. Some well-known people from Osijek include:

• Matija Petar Katančić, an 18th-century Croatian writer and Bible translator.
• Josip Juraj Strossmayer, a notable Croatian bishop.
• Oscar Nemon, a famous sculptor.
• Adolf Waldinger and Bela Čikoš Sesija, both talented painters.
• Miroslav Škoro and Branko Mihaljević, popular singers.
• Branko Lustig, an award-winning Hollywood producer.
• Davor Šuker and Jelena Dokić, successful footballers and tennis players.
• Lavoslav (Leopold) Ružička and Vladimir Prelog, both winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
• Mia Dimšić, a contemporary singer.

Acknowledgements

Honorary citizens

Osijek has honored several people as honorary citizens over the years. These include:

• 1994: Siegbert Frank, Ćiril Kos, Vladimir Prelog
• 1995: Hans Dietrich Genscher, Bernard M. Luketich
• 1996: Geza Jeszenszky, Alois Mock
• 2001: Julije Knifer
• 2004: Branko Lustig
• 2008: Davor Šuker
• 2012: Ante Gotovina, Mladen Markač
• 2013: Jacques Paul Klein, Ive Mažuran
• 2016: Vladimir Šeks
• 2020: Lőrinc Mészáros

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Croatia

Osijek has many partner cities around the world. These cities work together to support each other.

Osijek is twinned with:

Demographics

Osijek is a big city in Croatia, and it is the most important place in the eastern part called Slavonia. It is also the fourth biggest city in the whole country.

The city has many people from different backgrounds living together. Osijek also has friendly cities around the world that work together with it.