Borovo

http://www.opcina-borovo.hr/index.html

Location (county, municipality)

Borovo is situated in eastern part of Croatia, on the right river bank of the Danube. It is part of Vukovar-Srijem County, only 7 km away from Vukovar, and some 25 km from the Croatian and Serbian border. It is well-connected to other towns of eastern Croatia and international traffic routes.

Historical background and development

The Borovo area has been continuously populated since the New Stone Age (3400-3000 BC). The Gradac site (8th century) contains the remains of Ilirs and Celts who lived in this area during the Iron Age. Settlements could also be found here during the Romans, and Slavs populated it in the 5th century. The name Borovo was mentioned for the first time in the year 1231 as a feudal estate owned by noblemen of Vukovar, in whose ownership it remained until Turkish occupation. At the beginning of the 15th century, population of Borovo was mostly engaged in trade and crafts. The first municipality was founded in the 18th century, and the coat of arms dating back to 1884 is still the official coat of arms of this area. More serious development and rise in population began in the 20th century, due to the process of industrialization (foundation of Bata, the rubber and shoes plant, 1931). After the World War II it became one of the largest combinats in the country. Following the Homeland war, economy of Borovo as well as of the whole eastern Croatia suffered loses and has fallen behind in the process of development.

Current situation (Economy, public institutions, tourism advantages, etc.)

Economy of Borovo is based on agriculture, small-sized entrepreneurship and crafts. Important small-sized businesses are mostly found in agricultural production, wood processing and construction sectors as well as various services. There is an industrial zone in Borovo, which is in use. Borovo has almost all necessary community infrastructures: a kindergarten, a primary school, primary health care and a pharmacy, veterinary service, a post office, municipal government, a care home for older and ill people, and facilities for cultural and sport activities.

Vicinity of the Danube, islands on the Danube and pastures along the river are especially attractive to swimmers, hikers, fishermen and everyone else seeking recreation in the nature. For this reason the municipality is planning to build an excursion site along the Danube (“Poretak”).

Tourism attractions by importance (emphasis on sports related to the river Danube; monuments, events, hiking, cycling, eco-tourism)

Along the Danube in Borovo there is a promenade, swimming sites and sites for fishing and hunting. The planned excursion site should offer various activities, thus creating the foundation for development of sport, recreational and rural tourism. Among other cultural attractions there is an archaeological site Gradac, with remains of Celtic and Iliric culture, then the Church of St. Stephen the First Martyr (18th century), with an iconostas of special artistic value, and there is an art gallery of national importance. In Borovo there is also an old ethnic house, with a 150-year-old mill, and a larger number of houses built in a traditional architectural style can also be found.

The most important events in Borovo are: Dani Borova-Borovsko ljeto (Borovo summer festival), International Folklore Festival, International Art Colony, and Borovska fišijada (a gastro event). Borovo is also a natural habitat of the white stork.

Tourism and accommodation

Currently there are no registered accommodation facilities in Borovo, but there is an initiative of family farms for opening of 20 accommodation facilities. One of the important catering facilities is the restaurant “Galeb”, which can receive 300 guests. Tourists can use accommodation capacities of the towns Vukovar, Osijek, Vinkovci and Ilok.

Source: http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borovo; http://www.opcina-borovo.hr/; http://www.opcina-borovo.hr/slike/dokumenti/Strategija%20razvoja%20Opcine%20Borovo.pdf; http://www.opcina-borovo.hr/slike/dokumenti/izvod,%20borovo.pdf