Page 192 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

190  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

9 Novi Mikanovci
Map F2. * 700. k Osijek, 50 km
(31 miles). £ Stari Mikanovci, 3 km
(2 miles). n (032) 338 425.
The village is famous for the
small Romanesque Church of
St Bartholomew (Sveti Bartol),
from the first half of the 13th
century, a rare example of
architecture from before Turkish
rule. The church stands in a
cemetery and is called the
“Tower of Pisa of Slavonia”
because of its leaning bell
tower, which appears to be
held up by the façade. At the
View of the 19th-century red-brick Cathedral of St Peter in Ðakovo cemetery entrance is a colourful
statue of St Bartholomew.
7 Vrpolje mosque, at the end of the
central avenue, was retained.
Map F3. * 2,200. k Osijek, 0 Županja
39 km (24 miles). @ from Osijek. It was converted into the parish
n Regional: Petra Krešimira IV, 2, church of All Saints (Svi Sveti) in Map F3. * 14,000. k Osijek, 67 km
Slavonski Brod (035) 408 393. the 18th century. (41 miles). £ (032) 831 183. n Veliki
The central square is kraj 66, (032) 830 299. _ Folklore
A small country town, Vrpolje dominated by the Cathedral Festival, Šokačko sijelo (Feb).
is known as the birthplace of of St Peter (Sv. Petar), built ∑ tz-zupanja.hr
the sculptor Ivan Meštrović between 1866 and 1882 by
(1883–1962) (see p163). Many Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer; On the border with Bosnia-
of the artist’s works, donated the project was the work of Herzegovina, Županja lies along
to the town he held in great the Viennese architects Karl a wide bend in the Sava River.
affection, can be seen here. Rösner and Friedrich von The area has been inhabited
In the small parish Church of Schmidt. The imposing façade since ancient times; Bronze
St John the Baptist (Sveti Ivan is flanked by two 84-m (275-ft) Age finds have been discovered
Krstitelj, 1774) is his statue of belfries. The interior has frescoes in a necropolis. One of the first
St John the Baptist, a relief by Maksimilijan and Ljudevit Croat settlements was set
and a crucifix, while outside Seitz, sculptures by Ignazio up here. After Turkish rule
is a striking Bust of a Woman. Donegani and Tomas Vodcka, it became one of the military
The Ivan Meštrović Gallery and decorations by Giuseppe staging posts on the Vojna
(Spomen galerija) has 30 of his Voltolini from the 19th century. krajina (Military Frontier)
works on display: casts, bronzes The crypt houses (see p41) and a trading centre.
and wooden sculptures. the tombs of the bishops The Frontier House is a
Strossmayer and Ivan de Zela. wooden building originally
Next to the church is the 18th- from the early 19th century,
8 Ðakovo century Bishop’s Palace, which used by tax collectors.
has an ornate Baroque doorway. Damaged during the bombings
Map F2. * 21,000. k Osijek, 48 km The Festival of Embroidery
(22 miles). £ (031) 811 360. @ (060)
302 030. n Kralja Tomislava 3, (031) of Ðakovo (Ðakovački vezovi)
812 319. _ Ðakovo embroidery, is held at the beginning of July
Ðakovački vezovi (first week in Jul). with displays of traditional
∑ tzdjakovo.eu local costumes, folk dancing
and wine tasting.
In medieval times this town was Ðakovo has a long-lasting
known by the name of Civitas tradition of horse-breeding. The
Dyaco, and later as Castrum State Stud Farm was established
Dyaco. Late in the 13th century here in 1506, which makes it
it became a bishopric, and its one of the oldest stud farms
influence extended over in Europe. Lipizzan horses have
most of Slavonia and Bosnia. been bred at this farm since the
Conquered and destroyed by beginning of the 18th century.
the Turks in 1536, it became a
Muslim centre and a mosque R Cathedral of St Peter
was built. After Turkish rule, the Strossmayerov trg. Tel (031) 802 200. Embroidered head-dress in the
city was renovated. Only the Open 6:30am–noon, 3–7pm daily. Ethnographic Museum, Županja
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p231 and pp247–8

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