Vukovar
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2008-07-08T13:08:10Z
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recategorisation using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
{{Infobox Settlement
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[[Image:Main street, Vukovar.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Vukovar's main street]]
[[Image:Vukovar 1.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Vukovar]]
'''Vukovar''' is a city and municipality in eastern [[Croatia]], and the biggest [[river]] [[port]] in Croatia located at the [[Confluence (geography)|confluence]] of the [[Vuka]] river and the [[Danube]]. Vukovar is the center of the [[Vukovar-Srijem county]]. The city's registered population was 30,126 in the 2001 census, with up to 31,670 in the municipality.
==Name==
The name Vukovar (Vukovár, Valkóvár) means "the town on the river Vuka" ('Vuko' from the river Vuka, and 'vár' from the Hungarian word for 'castle'). The name of the river Vuka itself originates from the Slavic word 'vuk', meaning 'wolf'.
== Geography ==
It is located 20 [[kilometer|km]] east of [[Vinkovci]], 36 km southeast of [[Osijek]] with the elevation of 108 [[metre|m]]. Vukovar is located on the main road (M7) [[Osijek]] —Vukovar—[[Ilok]] and on the [[Vinkovci]]—Vukovar railway. Vukovar was formerly a larger municipality, but after the war it was divided into several municipalities.
==Municipality==
The municipality contains the villages of [[Lipovača]], [[Sotin]] (Szata), and [[Grabovo, Vukovar|Grabovo]].
==History==
===Early history===
[[Slavs|Slavic]] tribes settled in this area in the 6th century. In the 9th century, the region was part of the Slavic [[Balaton Principality]] ruled by prince [[Pribina]], part of the [[Pannonian Croatia]] ruled by prince [[Ljudevit]], and part of the [[Bulgarian Empire]], while in the 11th-12th century, the region was part of the [[Kingdom of Croatia]], while from the 13th to 20th century was part of the [[Hungarian Kingdom]].
Vukovar was mentioned first in the 13th century as ''Volko'', ''Walk'', ''Wolkov'' (original Croatian/Slavic name of the town was ''Vukovo''). Since the 14th century, the most common name used for the town was ''Vukovár''. In the [[Hungarian Kingdom]], Vukovár was a seat of the Szerém (Syrmia) county, which was located between rivers [[Drava]] and [[Sava]]. In the 16th-17th century, the town was occupied by the [[Ottoman Empire]]. In the end of the Ottoman rule, its population numbered about 3,000 inhabitants.
Since the end of the 17th century, Vukovar was part of the [[Habsburg Monarchy]] and was included into [[Kingdom of Slavonia]], a Habsburg province that formally was part of both, the [[Kingdom of Croatia]] and the [[Kingdom of Hungary]]. During this time, Vukovar was a seat of the [[Syrmia (former county)|Syrmia county]]. Since 1868, when Kingdom of Slavonia and Kingdom of Croatia were joined into the single Kingdom called [[Croatia-Slavonia]], Vukovar was part of this kingdom. In 1910, the population of Vukovar numbered 10,359 people, including 4,092 (39.50%) [[Croats]], 3,503 (33.80%) [[Germans]], 1,628 (15.70%) [[Serbs]], 954 (9.20%) [[Hungarians]], and 183 (1.80%) others.
Since 1918, Vukovar was part of the newly formed [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes]] (later known as [[Yugoslavia]]). Between 1918 and 1922, Vukovar was administrative seat of Syrmia (Szerém) county, and between 1922 and 1929 administrative seat of Syrmia oblast. Since 1929, it was part of the [[Sava Banovina]], and since 1939 part of the [[Banovina of Croatia]]. Between 1941 and 1944, Vukovar was part of the [[Independent State of Croatia]], and since 1945, it was part of the People's Republic of Croatia within new [[SFRY|socialist Yugoslavia]].
===Vukovar during the Croatian War of Independence===
{{Main|Battle of Vukovar}}
{{Main|Vukovar massacre}}
[[Image:Vukovar water tank.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The water tower in Vukovar, 2005. Heavily damaged in the battle, it has been preserved as a symbol of the town's suffering.]]
Vukovar was completely devastated during the [[Croatian War of Independence]]. The town had for months warded off the [[Yugoslav People's Army|JNA]]-supported [[Serb]] military attacks on the city. 2,000 self-organised defenders (the army of Croatia was still in an embryonic stage at that time) defended the city for approximately 87 days when it was eventually overrun, with the city destroyed almost beyond recognition. It is estimated that 2,000 defenders of Vukovar and civilians were killed, 800 went missing and 22,000 were forced into exile.
Vukovar is notorious for the devastation it suffered, the worst in Europe since [[World War II]], whilst the defence of Vukovar is famous among military analysts with comparisons made to the [[Battle of Stalingrad]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}, although Vukovar was on a much smaller scale. The watertower riddled with bullet holes, was retained by city planners to serve as a testimony to the events of the early 1990s.
On [[18 November]] [[2006]] approximately 25,000 people from all over the country gathered in Vukovar for the 15th anniversary of the fall of the city, where they commemorated those who were killed. A museum dedicated to the siege was opened in the basement of the hospital that was attacked, which has now been rebuilt. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061118/wl_afp/croatiavukovar_061118135823]
On [[27 September]] [[2007]], the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] convicted two former Yugoslav Army officers and acquitted a third of involvement in the hospital massacre.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7016290.stm Two jailed over Croatia massacre], BBC News, 27 September 2007, accessed 28 September 2007</ref>
The story of Vukovar is now the subject of a major international feature film. [http://www.thetrinityofvukovar.com]
== Demographics ==
[[Image:VukovarMunicipality.PNG|thumb|200px|Vukovar municipality within Vukovar-Syrmia County, 2001]]
In the period [[1948]]-[[1991]] Vukovar's population increased quickly due to industrial development. Primarily it was immigration that fed the growth in the Vukovar region and in the town particularly. The region's population distribution changed notably too when the town of [[Ilok]] ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: ''Újlak'') became the second largest town in the region.
The Croats were in the majority in most villages and in the region's eastern part, whereas the Serbs dominated in northwest. Vukovar's population was ethnically mixed and had 28 ethnic groups before the war.
Since the boundaries of the municipality have changed a few times, there are significant differences in the population census between '61 and '71, and '91 and '01.
{| class=wikitable
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Year of census !! total !! [[Serbs]] !! [[Croats]]
|-
| align=center | [[1961]] || 54,707 || 22,774 (41.63%) || 24,527 (44.83%)
|-
| align=center | [[1971]] || 76,602 || 28,470 (37.17%) || 34,629 (45.21%)
|-
| align=center | [[1981]] || 81,203 || 25,146 (30.97%) || 30,157 (37.14%)
|-
| align=center | [[1991]] || 84,024 || 31,910 (37.98%) || 36,910 (43.93%)
|-
| align=center | [[2001]] || 31,670 || 10,412 (32.88%) || 18,199 (57.46%)
|}
Some people who today declare [[Serbs|Serbian]] or [[Croats|Croatian]] ethnicity had between 1961 and 1991 identified as [[Yugoslavs|Yugoslav]].
In 2001, the municipality of Vukovar had a population of 31,670 people, including: [http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv/censuses/Census2001/Popis/H01_02_02/H01_02_02_zup16.html]
*[[Croats]] (57.46%)
*[[Serbs]] (32.88%)
*[[Pannonian Rusyns|Rusyns]] (1.79%)
*[[Hungarians]] (1.22%)
Particularly since the war in Croatia, much of the native Croat population has moved to other areas of Croatia or emigrated to [[Western Europe]] (notably [[Germany]]) or [[Australia]] and many Serbs have either moved to [[Serbia]] or to [[Canada]] and Western Europe.
Fifteen years after the war, in 2006, the city's ethnic makeup shows equal percentages of Serb and Croat residents. <ref>[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2006&mm=11&dd=18&nav_category=113&nav_id=38059 Vukovar: Day of remembrance], B92, 18 November 2006, accessed 2 October 2007</ref> The city remains very divided, as a deeper sense of reconciliation has failed to take root. The ethnic communities remain separated by mistrust, divided institutions and disappointment. Separate schooling for Croat and Serb children remains in place. Incidents involving Croats and Serbs occur regularly, and public spaces have become identified not by the services they offer but by the ethnicity of those who gather there. Even coffee shops are identified as Serb or Croat. <ref>[http://www.b92.net/eng/insight/opinions.php?nav_id=38241 Vukovar still divided 15 years on], B92, 27 November 2006, accessed 2 October 2007</ref>
== Economy ==
Vukovar is the largest Croatian town and river [[port]] on the [[Danube]]. Its economy is based on [[trade]], [[farming]], [[viticulture]], [[livestock]] breeding, [[textile]] and [[food]]-processing industry, [[footwear]] industry and [[tourism]].
Following the end of the war, much of the infrastructure in Vukovar remains unrestored and unemployment is estimated to stand at 40 per cent.
<ref>[http://www.b92.net/eng/insight/opinions.php?nav_id=38241 Vukovar still divided 15 years on], B92, 27 November 2006, accessed 2 October 2007</ref>
== Cultural heritage ==
Among a number of attractive buildings, severely damaged in the recent war, the most interesting are the [[Eltz Manor]] of the [[Eltz]] noble family from 18th century, [[Baroque]] buildings in the centre of the town, the [[Franciscan]] monastery, the parish church of [[James, son of Zebedee|St. James]], the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox]] church of [[St. Nicholas]], the birth house of the [[Nobel prize]] winner [[Lavoslav Ruzicka|Lavoslav Ružička]], etc. Since 1998 and peaceful reintegration under Croatian control, many buildings have been rebuilt, but there are many ruins still in the town.
Outside the town, on the banks of the [[Danube]] toward [[Ilok]] (Újlak), lies a notable archaeological site, [[Vucedol|Vučedol]]. The ritual vessel called the [[Vucedol Dove|Vučedol Dove]] (''vučedolska golubica'') is considered the symbol of Vukovar. Vučedol is also a well-known excursion destination, frequented by anglers and bathers, especially the beautiful sand beach on ''Orlov Otok'' (Eagle's Island).
Sports and recreational opportunities are provided at the attractive [[Confluence (geography)|confluence]] of the [[Vuka]] river into the [[Danube]], on the promenades along the Danube and maintained beaches. Bathing is possible in the summer months. [[Angling]] is very popular both on the [[Vuka]] and the [[Danube]] ([[catfish]], [[European perch]], [[carp]], [[Esox|pike]], [[sterlet]]).
== Education==
Vukovar has seven [[primary school]]s and five [[high school]]s (including one [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]] and one [[music]] school). The city is also home to the Lavoslav Ružička [[polytechnic]], which offers study opportunities in the fields of [[economics]] and [[trade]], [[law]] and [[Kinesiology|kinesitherapy]]. Additionally, the [[University of Split]] runs dislocated studies in [[information technology]], economics and law in Vukovar. Similarly, the [[University of Osijek]] offers programmes in economics and law.
== Famous people from Vukovar ==
* [[Lavoslav Ružička]] - [[Nobel prize|Nobel]] winner in [[chemistry]]
* [[Zaharije Orfelin]] - Serbian poet
* [[Ante Miše]] - Croatian [[football (soccer)|football]] player
* [[Dario Zahora]] - Croatian [[football (soccer)|football]] player
* [[Tomislav Mikulić]] - Croatian [[football (soccer)|football]] player
* [[Siniša Mihajlović]] - Serbian [[football (soccer)|football]] player
* [[General Woo]] - Croatian [[hip hop music|rap]] music singer
* [[Tezija Zararić]] - Croatian musician
* [[Blago Zadro]] - Croatian general
* [[Siniša Glavašević]] - Croatian reporter
* [[Pavao Pavličić]] - Croatian [[writer]]
* [[Franjo Benzinger]] - Croatian pharmacist
* [[Tomislav Merčep]] - Croatian politician
* [[Vladimir Štengl]] - Member of [[Sabor|Croatian parliament]]
* [[Vlado Štefančić]] - Radio and TV presenter, actor, singer and dancer, theatre director
* [[Petar Mlinarić]] - Member of Croatian parliament
* [[Jakob Eltz]] - German nobleman and former member of Croatian parliament
* [[Andrea Medjesi-Jones]] - painter
== Twin cities ==
*{{flagicon|Serbia}} '''[[Bač, Serbia|Bač]]''', [[Serbia]] [http://www.skgo.org/php/opstine/detalji.php?Id=28&IdSvojstva=MO]
*{{flagicon|Croatia}} '''[[Dubrovnik]]''', [[Croatia]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
{{commonscat|Vukovar}}
*[http://www.vukovar.hr/ Official site]
*[http://www.turizamvukovar.hr/index.php?lang=en Tourist office Vukovar]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Vukovar/ Vukovar Wikitravel page]
*[http://www.thetrinityofvukovar.com/ The Trinity of Vukovar - A Major Motion Picture]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7FQfY3BZq4 HRT film footage of the 1991 siege and bombardment of Vukovar]
*[http://www.ypgd.org/ Vukovar Youth Peace Group "Danube"]
*[http://www.tzvsz.hr/ Tourist office of the Vukovar-Sirmia County]
*[http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061118/wl_afp/croatiavukovar_061118135823 Tens of thousands gather for 15th anniversary of Vukovar siege]
*[http://www.iwpr.net/?p=tri&s=f&o=325671&apc_state=henh Vukovar Still Divided 15 Years On],''[[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]]'', 24 November 2006
* [http://www.sotin-hr.tk Sotin borough]
* [http://www.geocities.com/hnkradnicki/ HNK Radnicki Official site]
* [http://hnkborovo.webs.com/ HNK Borovo - Unofficial]
* [http://www.dvhh.org/sotting/intro.htm Village of Sotin in English]
* [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotin Sotin - Wiki in German]
* [http://www.vukowar.com/ Vukovar, hrvatski grad heroj - istinita priča; Vukovar, heroic city in Croatia - the true story]
* [http://www.glas-koncila.hr/feljtoni/index.php/Zaboravljene_hrvatske_%C5%BErtve_%282%29:_Vukovar Zaboravljene hrvatske žrtve (2): Vukovar - iz pismohrane Glasa Koncila]
{{Croatian cities}}
{{Vukovar-Syrmia}}
{{Danube}}
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[[Category:Cities and towns in Croatia]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Croatia]]
[[Category:Cities on the Danube]]
[[Category:Places in Syrmia]]
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