Osijek

A postcard from Osijek

Hey, lega! Don’t be surprised if a friend, acquaintance or even a complete stranger uses that word when speaking with you in the largest city of Eastern Slavonia. In Osijek, everyone is lega. This word stands for warmth, intimacy, affection, all characteristic of the whole of Slavonia!

The story of Osijek begins in Tvrđa (the Fortress), the most famous symbol of the city! The Austrians built it in 1712 as a defensive fortress. Although its purpose has changed over the centuries, it has always remained the center of life in Osijek!

The most fascinating building in Tvrđa, our School of Economics and Administration Osijek, is situated in Trg Svetog Trojstva (the Holy Trinity Square). The school started operating in the school year 1893/1894 and 13 students enrolled in the first grade. Even after 130 years, we are extremely proud of the title of the most innovative school in the Republic of Croatia!

As you enter the city center, you are greeted by the beautiful co-cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1900 thanks to Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer. Streets in many Croatian cities and towns are named after him, and the people of Osijek, in slang terms and terms of endearment, call their street Štrosika!

Osijek is the first place in Europe that started using trams in 1884! On March 15, 2016, the British King Charles III visited Osijek and rode the Osijek tram! The people of Osijek joked, placing a note next to his photo: Lega, pay for the ticket, this is Osijek! Great-great-grandfather of King Charles III and great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, Franz von Teck, was born in Osijek!

There is also a legend about Osijek’s Romeo and Juliet! The police caught a young man and accused him of the crime. In order to save the reputation of his sweetheart, he confessed to a crime he did not commit. When the girl found out the truth and tried to save him, it was too late. Today we remember that sad story in the Chapel of the Stone Cross, known as the Chapel of Unrequited Love.

The Croatian National Theater dating from 1907, Museum of Slavonia, Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the Waldinger, Kazamat and Barutana galleries are unmissable addresses for art lovers!

Take a walk along the Promenade, one of the most beautiful streets in Osijek, with numerous magnificent city palaces and the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in Europe!

The people of Osijek are also proud of their football club Osijek and its new giant accomplishment, the most modern football stadium in Croatia, Opus Arena!

In Osijek, you can taste popular delicacies: Slavonian kulen, faširanci, fish paprikash, čobanac, sataraš, pasta with cabbage, roast game meat, dumplings with plums, pasta with jam, chocolate from Osijek factories – Kandit… In addition, you can refresh yourself with a homemade invention: black Radler – Osijek beer. Osijek is the birthplace of the first Croatian beer! Wines from Slavonia and Baranja are also worth mentioning: pinot, chardonnay, merlot, graševina… The highest quality wines in history, which were served during the coronation of British monarchs, were made here!

At the end of this colorful Osijek postcard, we are honored to invite you to our School and our beautiful city! Welcome to Osijek!

Your people of Osijek