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Osijek is the fourth largest city in the country of Croatia. In the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, it is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre. It is also the administrative center of Osijek-Baranja county. The city of Osijek is situated on the right bank of the river Drava.
The History of Osijek goes back to Neolithic times, and the first people to inhabit this area were the Illyrian tribes. In 131 the Roman emperor Hadrian raised the old settlement of Mursa to a colony. Mursa had witnessed many battles and the Croats made a settlement near the ruins of Mursa and named it Osijek. The town was the feudal property of the Korogyi family between 1353 and 1472. On August 8, 1526, Osijek was sacked and destroyed by the Ottoman Empire. It was rebuilt by the Turks in oriental style.
On September 29, 1687 it was occupied by the Habsburg Empire. The Austrians built a number of beautiful buildings and structures. Osijek in Croatia was granted the title of a Free Royal City in 1809. It developed along the style of other European cities. In the 19th century the Novi Grad or New Town section of the city was built. Its various architecture style has made it one of the Tourist Destinations in Croatia.
Travelers can reach the city by rail, road, ferry and air. There is a major railways station and a regional airport. Visit the popular Attractions of Osijek which are –
- Tvrda- This is east of the city center and is a an 18th-century Hapsburg defensive fortress. It has a beautiful Baroque architecture and was designed by Maximillian de Gosseau in 1721. The fortress also has Trg Svetog Trojstva, and the Museum of Slavonia.
- St Peter's Church – This largest parish church in Croatia has a spire of 90m. Here you can see beautiful stained glass windows and a large pipe organ constructed by the Walcher firm of Linz, Austria.
- Croatian National Theatre
- Promenada is along the banks of the Drava River and is an excellent place for pleasant walks past the marina, cafes, and parklands.
Online information on Osijek is provided by travel.mapsofworld
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