Ilok

http://www.ilok.hr/

Location (county, municipality)

Ilok is the most eastern town in Croatia. It is situated on the river bank of the Danube and on the slopes of Fruška gora, among the vineyards in Vukovar-Srijem County. The following settlements belong to the town of Ilok: Šarengrad, Bapska and Mohovo. There are five border crossings toward Serbia, and Ilok is connected via road with Vukovar, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zagreb, and with Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south.

Historical background and development

The oldest archaeological findings show that there was a settlement here in the New Stone Age, and there are also numerous findings from the Copper, Bronze, and Iron Age. Archaeological sites rich in findings from Vinkovci and Vučedol culture have been found. After occupying this area, the Romans erected a border fortress (Cuccium) to control the Danubian and Pannonian route. Rich findings also date back to the time of Human Migrations and the Middle Ages. The name Ilok was mentioned for the first time in the year 1267.

A fortress was built in Ilok in the Middle Ages (12th century). In the 14th century Franciscans built a monastery and the Church of the Assumption of Mary (1349). Since 1700, today’s parish and Franciscan church have been dedicated to St. John of Capistrano and he was also buried here (1456). Roman Catholic Church listed him on the list of saints in 1690, and his works are kept in Paris, Rome and Naples.

 In the 15th century the town had its golden era under the reign of Nikola Iločki, who reconstructed Franciscaner monastery and Church of St. John of Capistran. Valuable monuments of Islamic culture during the Turkish reign (1526-1688) have been preserved: “turbe”, a grave of a respectable Turk and hamam, ritual bathing place. Since 1697 the new owner of Ilok was Italian family Odescalchi. In the 18th century they reconstructed the medieval castle of the count of Ilok, which was also later reconstructed on several occasions. In the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, Ilok was an administrative, economic and cultural centre of Sirmium.

After being through the Homeland war and seven years of occupation, Ilok is trying to restore its old shine.

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

Economy of the town of Ilok is based on viticulture and wine production. There are some 40 active small and medium-sized business entities. The largest company is Iločki podrumi d.d. It employs 230 people and has a network of cooperants, grape producers from the surrounding the area.

The town has all necessary infrastructures in terms of public institutions, local government, primary health care, educational institution, fire-fighters, banks, shops, cultural and sport associations, etc. There is also a border crossing toward Serbia across the Danube.

As regards tourism, it can be said that Ilok is a town on the Danube and a town of long history. There are interesting cultural differences which are knitted into its medieval core, one of the largest and most important urban and fortification complexes of the northern Croatia and the Danube region. However, Ilok is primarily a Danubian wine kingdom that wins people over with its Traminer, but also with other sorts produced in this area.

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

Among the most important attractions and landmarks in Ilok the following should be mentioned:

Ilok wine route – a wine route leading from vineyards to wine cellars which are mostly situated in the town; trademark of Ilok is Traminer;

Medieval centre – protected cultural and historical complex of the highest category;

The castle Odeschalchi/museum of the town of Ilok – this is the central facility of the medieval centre of Ilok, which also includes Old Ilok wine cellars in which the Town Museum of Ilok is situated

Danube – specific qualities include Dunavac (c), which is situated between the Danube and the old town on the hill, which gives additional magic to the landscape, invites for recreation, sport and enjoying in the nature.

Park architecture

On the site where the former steamship once was, a new one was built after the war, which together with the promenade, hotel and mooring for passenger ships is today a part of recreational and tourism complex.

Throughout the year in Ilok there are several cultural, tourism and economic events, which have become traditional. The most famous ones are “Iločka berba grožđa” (in September), „Vinkovo“ (in January), „Kapistranovo“ (in October) and „Actor Festival “ (u svibnju).

And during “the regular days” it is possible to recreate by walking in the park, on the Danube river bank, cycling, hunting and fishing or in sport courts.

Ilok is a part of the European cycling route along the river Danube, from the source to the mouth.

Among other recreational activities we should also mention fishing, hunting, two hiking paths/field walks, recreation, vineyards and slopes of Fruška gora.

Tourism and accommodation

Accommodation is available in a larger number of facilities in the town, in total for some 60 people. Here we should mention Hotel Dunav (***), Depadansa Stari podrum (***), Pansion Comfort Masarini, private accommodation Srijemska kuća, Dunavska oaza (****) and an estate Principovac (****), situation on an elevation above Ilok with high-category apartments. Two accommodation facilities have the label bed&bike firendly.

Ilok also has a great gastro offer, from fish specialties to rich Slavonian food, in several catering facilities.

Source: http://www.ilok.hr/; http://www.turizamilok.hr/index.php?lang=hr&cat_id=16; http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilok; http://www1.biznet.hr/HgkWeb/do/advsearch/results