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).

History

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. The town was officially promoted to a city by the end of the 17th century.

Related Topics:
1196 - Korog - 1353 - 1472 - Ottoman Empire - August 8 - 1526 - Census - 1579 - 17th century

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Osijek was restored to western rule when on September 29, 1687 it was occupied by the Habsburg Empire. The central town fort created in 1753 is known as Tvr?a. The Gornji Grad (Upper Town) was founded in 1692 and Donji Grad (Lower Town) followed on 1698. Tvr?a, Gornji and Donji grad continued as separate municipalities until 1786. In late 18th century it took over from Virovitica as the center of the Ver?ce county.

Related Topics:
September 29 - 1687 - Habsburg Empire - Fort - 1753 - Tvr?a - 1692 - 1698 - 1786 - 18th century - Virovitica - Ver?ce

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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.

Related Topics:
1809 - Free Royal City - 19th century - Europe - Vienna - Budapest

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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.

Related Topics:
19th century - Theatre - Museum - 1877 - Franciscans - Economy - Trade - Religious

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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.

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The city's geographical riverside location, and noted cultural and historical heritage — particularly the baroque Tvr?a, one of the most attractive structures in the region — facilitated the development of tourism.

Related Topics:
Baroque - Tourism

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