Culture of Osijek. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Osijek has several areas concentrating the largest number of historical and cultural attractions. In Gornji grad (Upper Town), you can admire beautiful old buildings, which have remained unchanged since their construction in the 19th century. In the center of the area is the picturesque square Trg Ante Starcevica surrounded by the most beautiful centuries-old buildings. Many of them are currently occupied by restaurants and cafes. In the summer, some of their tables are set up on outdoor terraces in the square.

Near the square is Osijek's main historical monument - Zupna crkva svetog Petra i Pavla. According to historical data, a cemetery with a small chapel was located on the site of the present cathedral at the beginning of the 18th century. In 1732, the city authorities decided to demolish the cemetery, and build a new parish church instead of the dilapidated chapel. By the end of the 19th century, the city population had grown so much that the small church could no longer accommodate all parishioners.

The construction of a new cathedral began in 1894 by the famous architect Gerhard Franz Langenberg. Redbrick became the main building material. The cathedral turned out to be incredibly spectacular, and now it is striking with its facade's skillful decoration. It took only four years to erect it, and by 1900, the interior design of the cathedral was fully completed. One of the cathedral's main architectural features is its 90-meter-tall tower. Inside, the walls and ceiling are adorned by wonderful Christian themed frescoes created more than a hundred years ago. It is a miracle that Osijek’s main cathedral remained intact during the Second World War. It has also managed to survive the destructive earthquake of 1964. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Not far from the cathedral is picturesque Europska avenija attracting tourists with its splendid art nouveau buildings. All of them were built for local wealthy merchants before the outbreak of World War I. The facades of many historic buildings on this street are decorated with wonderful sculptural compositions. One of the beautiful historical buildings currently houses the Galerija likovnih umjetnosti - the museum of fine arts that stores an interesting collection of 19th-century paintings.

The largest historical complex in Osijek is the ancient Tvrda fortress that was built during the Austrian Empire period. The fort itself is a large-scale complex of buildings, most of which date back to the 18th century. A symbolic column preserved on the fortress grounds was erected in 1729 to mark the end of the plague epidemic. Today, some of the historic structures are run by the local university, which conducts lectures for their students here.

One of the buildings houses the historical museum Muzej slavonije where you can see expositions dedicated to the most significant events in the history of Osijek. This museum has gathered collections of ancient sculptures and fine art, as well as the largest ceramics collection in town. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions on the history of the region. The old fortress is considered a striking architectural ensemble in the Baroque style. It also includes a historic church, which is still functioning.

Speaking of the city's remarkable religious sights, it is worth noting the ancient church Franjevacka crkva located on Lisinskog Street. This church was once built on the initiative of local fishermen. Its main relic is the old Madonna And Child statue. It has stood on a high altar of the church from the moment of its foundation. This religious shrine is highly revered by local residents to this day. The church itself looks rather modest, its main artistic and religious values are hidden inside.

Setaliste Kardinala Franje Sepera would be an attractive street to walk ending with a pedestrian bridge across the river. Many historic buildings have been preserved on this street too. It is always crowded and lively in the summer. If you cross the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river, you can find yourself in the picturesque area of Copacabana, which is sure to please fans of nature and beach recreation. The historic street will lead you to Zimska luka harbor where small private boats get moored. Here you can take excellent memorable pictures and admire some unusual boats of local residents.