Erdut

http://www.opcina-erdut.hr/

Location (county, municipality)

Erdut is a municipality in Osijek-Baranya County. The municipality also includes three other settlements: Aljmaš, Dalj and Bijelo Brdo. It is 35 km away from Osijek and 30 km from Vukovar. There is a border crossing between Croatia and Serbia here. Erdut is situated on the eastern slopes of Daljska planina, along the river Danube, in the micro-region Erdutska kosa. It includes the following small settlements: Ada, Erdut Mali, Erdut Novi, Erdutska Skela, Novi Prkos, Orašje Erdutsko, Oraški Put, Planina Erdutska, Podunavlje and Stari Prkos. Population is 964.

Historical background and development

The first mention of Erdut was recorded in the middle of the 14th century, while at the end of the 15th century it was mentioned as the town Castelum Erdeed. The name of the settlement originates from the local Hungarian name and it means “forest path”.

Following the Turkish withdrawal, in the year 1688 Erdut was taken over by the royal Wiener chamber. It was in possession of many noble families: Zuan, Palfi, Adamovići Čepinski. In the second half of the 19th century the Sirmian county prefect Ervin Čeh became the owner of Erdut, and it remained this way until 1945.

Erdut was occupied during the Homeland war, and in 1997 it was reintegrated. The so-called Erdut Agreement for Peaceful Reintegration of the Danube Region into the Croatian territory was signed on November 12, 1995 in Erdut.

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

Economy of Dalj is based on viticulture, wine production, crop farming, livestock farming, trade and catering activities. The largest company in Erdut is Erdutska vinarija d.o.o. (a winery), with 150 employees and a long tradition dating back to the end of the 18th century. Having 500 ha of vineyards, this is a real tourism attraction of this area.

In Erdut there are all necessary infrastructures required for public and cultural life of the population: a local branch school, primary health care, a post office, fire-fighters, etc. There are also many hunting and fishing associations and sport and cultural associations.

Since viticulture and wine production are typical activities in this area, the wine route of Erdut wine-growing area, the vicinity of the Danube and good traffic connections with large towns and neighbouring countries, provide a solid base for development of continental tourism.

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

Erdut has been known as a wine-growing area since the 18th century. There are almost 500 ha of vineyards, and the winery produces well-known wine sorts – Erdut graševina, Pinot gris, Traminer, Chardonnay, Green Silvaner, Rhine riesling, Zweigelt. Currently there are five wineries on the wine route passing through Erdut. However, new contents are being added all the time.

Tourists can visit Erdut winery and the largest barrel in the world, and they can taste and buy wine.     

There are two sacral facilities: the Roman Catholic Church of All Saints, which was destroyed during the war and reconstructed in 2005, and the Eastern Orthodox Church of St. Archangel Gabriel). Above the Danube there are remains of the medieval town from the 15th century.

Here is also the castle Adamović – Cseh (19th century), where Erdut agreement was signed.

Among important events there are Days of the municipality of Erdut and Days of Wine and Tourism of Osijek-Baranya County. In this event wines from all over the country are being evaluated.

Tourism and accommodation

The largest accommodation capacity is within Erdutska vinarija: catering facility which can receive 250 people, room for conferences/meetings, 100 people capacity, 30 two-star beds, a tennis court, and football a field.

Also, construction of a large promenade around the entire winery is under construction as well as preparation of a large park as a rarity, where tourists will have the opportunity to see and taste all sorts of fruits from orchard and all sorts of grape wine successfully grown in this area.

In the castle Adamović – Cseh, there is a restaurant, where guests can enjoy gastronomy of Slavonia.

Source: http://www.opcina-erdut.hr/naselja/erdut/; http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erdut; http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erdutski_sporazum; http://www.erdutski-vinogradi.hr/index.php?page=sadrzaj-ovinariji