It extends along the Bosut valley, the highway and the railway, which connect the Western Europe with the Far East, and the Middle Europe with the exit to the Adriatic sea. The City has significant and high-quality natural resources as well as developed infrastructure, and it is through this that one may notice that it is an economically and strategically important part of Croatia. All of this resulted in the traditional agricultural/cattle-raising production and developed forestry, the development of industry and trade, and lastly, a very rich traditional culture. The City of Vinkovci boasts much and diverse international cooperation.
Following the end of the destructions of war and the War of Independence itself, the cooperation between the City of Vinkovci and the cities Camponogara in Italy and Kenzingen in Germany was formalized through the signing of a cooperation treaty. A very intensive and excellent cooperation with the City of Široki Brijeg in Bosnia and Herzegovina is maintained. Additionally, in recent years the international cooperation has been established with neighbours from Hungary, the Budapest district – Kobanaya.
In such manner, Vinkovci is also marked by several larger parks and green public spaces, as well as an array of planned and clearly recognizable modern city quarters and settlements. Although the buildings of monumental significance have seen great destruction and damage during wars, especially the War of Independence, most of them have been restored, and the central part of Vinkovci now seems more beautiful and better designed than ever before. The central square with its prominent features of Baroque urbanism and flange sections which enclose it, represents an area of high cultural and historical, urbanistic, architectonic, stylistic and aesthetic value of Vinkovci. Within the said urban complex there is the City park which came to be during the time of municipal prefect Adolf Albrecht in 1868, through the planting of trees at the site of the military ‘Paradier Platz’. In the park centre, almost since the creation of the park, stands the monument to Holy Trinity. During the time of prefect Nikola Janković, the park was enlarged and designed in the French style. The parish church was built in 1777 in the Baroque style, and received its modern appearance at the beginning of the 20th century.
The building of the Brod Municipality was designed in the Secessionist style and has two facades. The shorter one faces the square. Originally, there was a self-standing two-storey building in that place. The refit and the expansion of the building, which became the property of the Brod Municipality Forestry Administration (Authority) in 1873, began in 1909 and lasted until 1912. The building acquired its final shape around 1916. Above the entrance, in the central part of the cornice, are relief ornaments which symbolize the significance of forests and forestry in these lands. Beneath the central small tower there is a memorial plaque to Josip Runjanin, the composer of Croatian national anthem, Lijepa naša [Our Fair]. The small towers, slanted roofs and other ornaments have become the recognizable symbols of the City. The present-day building of Vinkovci City Museum is located in the western part of the square.
The construction of the two-storey building with its recognizable arches began around 1776. It represents yet another example of one of the oldest buildings in Vinkovci. The building was designed in the spirit of the Military Frontier Baroque architecture. The Grammar School building dominates the eastern part of the square. This tall three-storey building was built in 1879, for the occasion of the centenary of a grammar school in Vinkovci.
Tradition
Customs
The area of modern-day Vinkovci has been inhabited for more than eight thousand years. Many people and civilizations exchanged here, leaving their traces behind which the archeologists uncover and in which the citizens of Vinkovci can take pride. Some of the people who passed through these lands, either through migrations or wars, influenced the life and the customs of the indigenous inhabitants – the Šokci.
Nowadays, however, the Šokci way of life is passing, and we can learn more about it by reading the books of the local writers and from the lovers of these lands, as well as by visiting the Museum or by having a talk with some newly-married woman who still lives such a life. In order to prevent the customs from being completely forgotten, many individuals, associations and institutions organize various workshops, gatherings, seminars, fairs and, of course, festivals.
To this end, many associations based in the City area work to keep alive the customs of Šokadija, which are: needleworks (embroidery, golden embroidery, šlinganje, toledo, and the like), weaving, pottery, bottle staining, gourd painting, making national garments, as well as the preservation of the authentic dance and song, customs such as picking feathers, distilling rakija and many more).
You can obtain more information regarding the activities of these associations at the Tourist Office of the Vinkovci Tourist Board.
Rustic houses
Within the closer City environs it is possible to visit rustic houses where you’ll be greeted by kind hosts who will take you through the treasures of their ancestors. Lodgings with comfortable feather-beds, rich gastronomical menu and a real rustic environment guarantee a good vacation.
Gastronomy
Slavonija has always been synonymous for the richness of all senses, and even today here in Vinkovci one can taste many dishes native to these lands, such as kulen, pork crackling, head cheese, crescent rolls, čobanac, fish paprikash, goose paprikash, bread with lard spread and many more, which is nicely followed up by a drink of home-made rakija (plum brandy)!
How much the preservation of the kulen-producing tradition is important for the citizens of Vinkovci, is shown by the fact that this very skill has been included in the Republic of Croatia Protected Immaterial Cultural Goods List.
The citizens of Vinkovci are not only able to recognize, but also produce a good drink, and this fact is confirmed by the National Fruit Rakija and Liqueur Exhibition, which the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Syrmia County traditionally organizes in Vinkovci for the Vinkovačke jeseni event.