Osijek Tourist Information and Tourism

(Osijek, Slavonia, Croatia)



Osijek is an important university city in Eastern Croatia and is one of the country's largest cities, after Zagreb, Split and Rijeka. It is a major rail hub and also has its own busy airport, making it popular with tourism. Osijek is noted for its scenic setting on the Drava River, for its large squares and for its gateway status to the towns of Slavonia.

Such is its easterly positioning, Osijek attained war damage in the 1990s, with shrapnel marks remaining on many buildings. Noteworthy landmarks have since been restored, however, and there are numerous impressive sights, although the previous charm of the city has yet to properly recover.

A trendy water promenade, a historic fortress from the 18th century, large plazas and busy shopping streets (such as the Kapucinska) all clearly demonstrate its resilience to adversity and improving tourism appeal. Of note, the Osijek tourist information office is located on the Zupanijska in the city centre, next to the tramline and just across from the Trg Lava Mirskog square.





Osijek Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

There are three main areas in Osijek, the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) - based around the central Trg Ante Starcevica plaza, the Lower Town (Donji Grad) and also the Tvrda citadel / fortress area. Sited on the Trg Svetog Trojstva, the Tvrda is a major attraction in the city and features stylish Austrian Habsburg architecture, being conceived by Prince Eugen Savojski and constructed between 1712 and 1721. Fronting the Park Perivoj Kralja Tomislava, the Tvrda fortress resides on the Europa Avenue (Europska Avenija), which functions as the city's principal artery and connects both the Park Kralja Petra Kresimira IV and the Park Kralja Drzislava.

Families on holiday in Osijek will enjoy spending time at the Zoological Gardens (Zooloski Vrt Grada) and hanging out at the Copacabana River Beach, while for evening entertainment, the state-funded Croatian National Theatre (Hrvatsko Narodno Kazaliste) may be hosting a production of interest and this theatre is often better known as just the 'HNK'. More information about Osijek Tourist Attractions.

A sightseeing tour around downtown Osijek will reveal a number of interesting and old landmarks, which are usually within comfortable walking distance of each other. The Holy Trinity Square (Trg Svetog Trojstva) is central to city life and stands next to the Tvrda, with the Baroque-style Holy Trinity Monument serving as its centrepiece since it was erected in 1729. Located on the northerly side of the Tvrda, the Water Gate (Porta Aquatica) is just a few years older and was built to allow access to the adjacent Drava River.

On the Trg Ante Starcevica, it is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Crkva Svetog Petra i Pavla) that steals the show, with its huge spire towering high above the square. The Church of St. Michael (Crkva Svetog Mihovila) is another distinctive landmark of note in Osijek, originally starting life as a mosque and being topped by classical domes shaped like onions. More information about Osijek Landmarks and Monuments.

The Trg Svetog Trojstva contains a couple of well-placed museums, with the Museum of Slavonia (Muzej Slavonije) found next to the Franjevacka and the Kuhaca. Packed with information relating to the Slavonia region and its interesting heritage, the Muzej Slavonije lies on the eastern side of the square, with the Osijek Archaeological Museum (Arheoloski Muzej) situated on the opposite side and containing some ancient relics from Celtic and Roman times.

Standing on the Europa Avenue and next to the Dragutina Neumana is the Gallery of Fine Arts (Galerija Likovnih Umjetnosti), just a block up from the Trg Ljudevita Gaja and close to the Panturist tourism / travel agency on the Kapucinska. On the edge of the city, the Gloria Maris Museum (Gloria Maris Muzej) contains a real mixed bag of exhibits. For tourists in Osijek with young children, the Exhibition of the Water World (Izlozba Vodeni Svijet) may well appeal. More information about Osijek Museums.

Osijek is a good place to base yourself during a Croatian holiday, allowing you to properly explore the attractions of Slavonia and eastern Croatia. Just 14 km / 9 miles to the east, the Kopacki Rit Nature Park is actually the biggest natural wetland area in the whole of Europe and is based around the meeting point of both the Danube River and the Drava River, called home by Lake Kopacevo and Lake Sakadasko.

Also in the vicinity of Osijek is the Karanac Ethno Village, to the north, which provides the chance to observe traditional Slavonian village life. Other possible excursions to consider include Pejacevic Castle - just past the Upper Town area, the town of Dakovo - with an eye-catching neo-Romanesque cathedral, and the spa resort of Bizovacke Toplice - where natural springs and water slides form the main draw. The towns of Ernestinovo, Ilok and Vukovar are also suitable for day trips and each have things to offer, such as the roadside wooden sculptures of Ernestinovo, Odescalchi Castle at Ilok, and Eltz Palace in Vukovar, where the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) awaits tourists. More information about Osijek Attractions Nearby.

More Osijek Information / Fast Facts and Orientation











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Osijek, Croatia - Information and Tourism - Last updated 7/9/2019 - gprofile - Google+

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