Osijek

Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia and the administrative center of Osijek-Baranja County. It is located in eastern Slavonia on the Drava River, near the Hungarian border, and serves as a regional economic and cultural hub.

The area has a long history of settlement, with archaeological findings indicating habitation in prehistoric times. The Roman city of Mursa stood on the site of present-day Osijek. In the 18th century the Habsburgs developed Osijek as a fortified military and administrative center, and the Tvrđa fortress district remains a notable example of baroque urban planning. The city experienced growth into the 19th and 20th centuries but suffered damage during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s and underwent redevelopment afterward.

As of the latest census, Osijek’s population is around 100,000, making it the largest city in eastern Croatia. It is the seat of the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, which offers faculties in medicine, law, engineering, and the humanities, along with a range of museums and cultural institutions, including the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek.

The economy centers on agriculture, food processing, and light industry, with services and logistics playing an increasing role as a regional hub. The Drava River banks provide parks and promenades, and the nearby Kopački Rit Nature Park is a major site for biodiversity and nature tourism.

Key landmarks include the Tvrđa fortress district and the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in the historic core. Osijek is connected by rail and road to Zagreb and other cities, and its airport provides regional flights.