Đakovo, a city in the heart of Slavonia
24.11.2015. 12:32:59
Đakovo really carries the nickname “the Heart of Slavonia” and this is not just a title but a kind of tradition, even in terms of tourism. This city belongs to the Osijek-Baranja County and is located in eastern Croatia where rural tourism is developing rapidly because people are investing in accommodation units and building apartments and rooms. The city and its surrounding area have numerous archaeological sites that make up the rich history of the city: archaeologists proved that life has existed in this area since the Neolithic period, i.e. 6 millennia BC. Đakovo is the seat of the Đakovo-Osijek episcopate which was founded in the 13th century. The city centre is Strossmayer Square and the most prominent building is the Đakovo cathedral whose construction lasted 16 years. It comprises of more than 7 million bricks which were made in Đakovo, and many tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy the sight. The cathedral carries the name of St. Peter, and Pope John XXIII said that it was “the most beautiful church between Venice and Constantinople”. Due to Turks in the area who stayed here for about 150 years the city is full of churches that have been repurposed from originally built mosques. A very important street in the old centre is Korzo, a promenade where all city residents regardless of age gather on a daily basis. The city offers affordable tourist prices and accommodation. An interesting sight is also Đakovačka ergela (Đakovo horse farm) which attracts tourists and horse lovers. It is a kind of livestock farm with numerous stables where high-quality horses are bred, and in Đakovo these are Lipizzaners. Đakovo is certainly a model city when it comes to culture and preservation of traditional values. The city organizes a lot of events, and the largest is Đakovački vezovi (Embroidery of Đakovo). It is a traditional folklore festival that takes place in late June and lasts two weeks until early July, and it is a
holiday for the whole city. The city has five kindergartens, three primary schools, three secondary schools and the Catholic Faculty of Theology. The city has various associations, clubs and societies that are active locally, but athletes from Đakovo dominate both the European and world stage. Lastly, the Croatian painter and writer Matko Peić said: “Nowhere can you spoil yourself in such a way as in the heart of Slavonia – in Đakovo” Dear guests, come and visit Đakovo to enjoy all the blessings that this city has to offer. You need not worry about accommodation because Đakovo and its immediate surroundings offer private accommodation, apartments, luxury villas, holiday houses and the like as well as hostels and hotels.