Croatian cultural heritage - Business - Hrvatska turistička zajednica

SLAVONIA - Primeval Central Europe on
the banks of the mighty Danube
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In the east of Croatia, between the large Danube, Drava and Sava rivers
lies the fertile Slavonia. It is the largest Croatian historical region after
Dalmatia, known for its wide plains, oak forests, picturesque vineyards
and old cellars, baroque palaces and churches. Here we have well
preserved original Croatian folk heritage, with ornate carriages, picturesque
costumes, the sounds of the tamburitza and unique culinary
delicacies.
After central Croatia, this is the biggest Croatian tourist region, consisting
of five counties: Virovitica-Podravina, Požega-Slavonia, Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja
and Vukovar-Srijem. For now relatively rarely visited by tourists
because it is away from the main tourist routes, which usually lead to
the sea, the region has many pleasant surprises to offer to those who want
to discover it, especially for those who enjoy discovering hidden cultural
experiences.
Although, because of its position in Central Europe Slavonia is culturally
similar to Central Croatia, it is also very different in many ways. Namely,
while central Croatia was spared the devastation of war, for a big part of its
history, Slavonia was under Turkish rule, from which it was exempt only in
the early 18th century. Therefore, the majority of its current residents are
immigrants from other parts of Croatia, and partly from other parts of the
Habsburg Empire, in whose composition it was.
Due to the historical circumstances of this region, there are relatively few
old monuments. However, there are some especially valuable monuments
from the Bronze Age which have been preserved, as was a sort of symbol
of Slavonia, the more than 4 000 years old Vučedol Dove (8). Here we can
also find remains of the once powerful ancient cities and fortresses, and in
the occasional corner we find preserved rare monuments from medieval
pre - Turkish times. To those times belong the walls of the Croatian town
of Ilok, standing east above the Danube river (3), which thanks to them resisted
Turkish attacks up until the 16th century. They were later used by the
Turks, and due to their solid construction are still standing today.
Most of the cultural monuments in Slavonia are tied to the 18th century,
when the most attractive buildings were built, especially churches that testify
of the return of this area into Christian hands. The churches are regularly
decorated with gorgeous altars, as is the Franciscan monastery in Slavonski
Brod (2). This was a period of economic growth and connectivity,
which we can witness in the ornate emblems of craft guilds of the city of
Požega (4). Slavonia has an important role due to its good connectivity and
because it is surrounded by the great Danube, Drava and Sava rivers (5).
From the ports on these rivers, goods were transported by horse carts, and
Slavonia is known today for its tradition of horse breeding (1).
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