Vukovar

Vukovar is a town located in the eastern part of Croatia, situated at the area where the the Vuka river meets the much bigger Danube river. It is considered as the largest town in the country, supported mainly by its agriculture, textile, and food processing sectors. Its place-name can be translated into ‘the town on the river Vuka.’

Sights & Activities

Much of the town’s historic buildings and structures were destroyed during the Patriotic War or the Croatian War of Independence that razed it almost to the ground from 1991 to 1995. Though reconstruction is actively pursued by the local government, some of its important structures may have been lost forever.
Interestingly, the war is one of the reasons why some tourists decide to come to this tiny town. The devastation wrought by the event is still very much evident and are silent reminders on why violent conflict should always be avoided.
Among the buildings that sustained the heaviest damage is the Church of St. Filip and Jacob, which was left in near ruins after the war. It is still undergoing reconstruction, though the façade and the roof have once again dominated the town’s skyline. The original structure of the church was built in the 18th century and, at one time, became the third largest church in the country. No trace of the beautiful paintings and richly decorated altars remained at the present, only a shell of a structure with few benches arranged in neat rows inside.
Adjacent to the church is the Franciscan monastery run by the religious order that had served the town since the 14th century. The present monastery was built in 1723 and was once the repository of ancient books and texts. The library was burned and the monastery lay in ruins after the war. Like its neighboring church, it is also undergoing reconstruction.
One impressive example of the town’s efforts toward rebuilding its heritage is manifested by the staff of the Vukovar Museum. The museum has been housed in the Eltz Castle since 1948 and although the castle was heavily damaged, its collections have been safely stored in the structure’s basement. Serbian forces, however, looted the items and took most of it back to their country across the river. Much effort have been exerted to rebuild the museum’s collection and to take back the looted items. In present times, the museum is venue to numerous exhibits and programs.
Those who feel the need to take a break from all the manifestations of destruction and hostility should only take a short walk along the magnificent Danube River. The promenade along the river is even well lighted at night for romantic walks while numerous benches are placed for visitors to sit down and do some contemplation.

Weather

Vukovar’s climate can only be described as continental and the town enjoys an average annual temperature of 12°C. Summer can be warm to hot, with most of the locals and tourists heading out to the beaches to bathe and cool off. Autumn brings a much cooler temperature, though the areas around the town do not experience rain showers as often as the places located farther south. Winter ushers in bitterly cold winds and snow is often expected to occur.