Page 196 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

194  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

y Osijek R Church of the Holy Cross
Sv. Križ
The capital of Slavonia sits in the middle of a fertile plain. Franjevačka ulica, Tvrđa. Tel (031) 208
It is a centre of industry, a university town, and a lively 177. Open 8am–noon, 3–8pm.
Central European city with wide roads linking three districts: Northeast of the main square,
the Fort (Tvrđa), Lower Town (Donji grad) and Upper Town on the site of a sacred medieval
building, stands the Church
(Gornji grad). The city developed in 1786 when the three of the Holy Cross, built by the
areas merged. Due to its position on the River Drava, Osijek Franciscans between 1709
has always played a strategic role. In 1809 Emperor Francis I and 1720. Next to this is the
declared it a Royal Free Town (this document is now in the monastery (1699–1767) which
Museum of Slavonia). In 1991, after the declaration of housed the first printing press
in Slavonia (1735), and from
independence by Croatia, the city was bombed for over a the mid-18th century also
year by Yugoslav forces and much of the old centre (Upper housed schools of philosophy
Town) was damaged. Liberated in 1995, in 1998 Osijek and theology. In the church
became part of the Croat state again. is a statue of the Virgin from
the 15th century and some
liturgical furnishings.
R Church of St Michael
Sv. Mihovil
Trg Jurja Križanića, Tvrđa.
Tel (031) 208 990.
Open before Mass.
Standing a little way back from
the square is the Church of
St Michael, which was built by
the Jesuits. The façade is flanked
by two bell towers, and the
monastery has a splendid
doorway (1719). Below street
level the foundations of the
16th-century Kasim-paša
The main square in the heart of Tvrđa mosque are still visible.
Exploring Osijek Trg Ante Starčevića, with its
The Fort (Tvrđa) is the fortified shops, bars and restaurants.
centre of Osijek. It was Facing the square is the County
constructed in the early 18th building, built in the early 20th
century after liberation from century in the Renaissance style.
the Turks. Fortunately, Tvrđa
did not suffer serious damage E Museum of Slavonia
during the war in the 1990s. Muzej Slavonije
As a result it has preserved its Trg sv. Trojstva 6, Tvrđa. Tel (031) 250
Baroque architecture, which is 731. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sat. &
characterized by simple, austere 7 8 ^ = ∑ mso.hr GORNJODRAVSKA D r a v a
lines, unusual at this time. This On Tvrđa central square, the OBALA Footbridge
lack of ornamentation was due old Town Hall has housed the War memorial in Kralja Držislava park RIBARSKA ŠETALIŠTE KARD. FRANJE ŠEPERA
to the fact that the buildings Museum of Slavonia since 1946. Church of ŠAMAČKA VATROSLAVA
TRG
SS Peter
were intended for use by Geological, prehistoric, Greek, P Europe Avenue and Paul STARČEVIĆA Museum of Church of LISINSKOG Church of the
TRG ANTE
Holy Cross
KAPUCINSKA
soldiers and office workers. Illyrian and Roman objects are Europska avenija Church of Fine Arts St Michael TRG SVETOG
J. BOSENDORFERA
Facing Trg Sv. Trojstva, the on display here. One section is This is the main road of Osijek, St James TROJSTVA Museum of
Slavonia
central square of Tvrđa, named dedicated to ancient Roman linking the Fort (Tvrđa) to the MIRSKOG LORENZA JÄGERA Market FRANJE KUHAČA K N E Z A T R P I M I R A
TRG L.
after the Holy Trinity, are various Mursa with statues, tombstones, Upper Town (Gornji grad). It Croatian JÄGEROV ŠKOLSKA D. NEUMANA KARDINALA ALOJZIJA STEPINCA E U R O P S K A A V E N I J A
KAMILA FIRINGERA
National
PROLAZ
Baroque buildings, including the architectural pieces and a crosses some of the city’s parks, Theatre KRALJA ZVONIMI
Building of the Guard, with an coin collection. one of which is Kralja Držislava HRVATSKE REPUBLIKE TRG LJ. F. KREŽME ZAGREBAČKA
GAJA
18th-century clock tower, and Other sections are dedicated park, site of a striking bronze ŽUPANIJSKA SUNĆANA R A D I Ć E V A
the General Headquarters of to folklore with exhibits of memorial to the fallen of the O. KERŠOVANIJA RA D. CESARIČA ISTARSKA
Slavonia, which is now part of the richly decorated costumes. 78th Infantry Regiment (Soldier
university, and recognizable by its Today these clothes provide in the Throes of Death), by Robert G U N D U L I Ć E V A Train Station Bus Station V U K O V A R S K A C E S T A
monumental Baroque entrance. models for a flourishing Frangeš-Mihanović (1894), 400 m (440 yards) 400 m (440 yards)
The heart of city life is the handicrafts industry making which is regarded as the first
main square in the Upper Town, golden silk fabrics. modern sculpture in Croatia.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p231 and pp247–8
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