Požega, Croatia
Encyclopedia
Požega (German
: Poschegg, Hungarian
: Pozsega, Turkish
: Pojega) is a city in western Slavonia
, eastern Croatia
, with a total population of 26,403 (census 2011). It is the administrative center of the Požega-Slavonia County
.
name was Vallis Aurea, meaning "gold
en valley".
The valley is formed by the Slavonian mountains of Požeška Gora
, Psunj
, Papuk
, Krndija
and Dilj
.
Two state roads run concurrently through the city: the D38
Pakrac
— Požega — Pleternica
— Đakovo and the D51
Nova Gradiška
— Požega — Našice
, as well as a railroad: Nova Kapela
/Batrina
— Pleternica
— Požega — Velika.
:
By ethnicity, the population is 91.59% Croats
, 5.37% Serbs
, 1.72% uncommitted, 0.27% Albanians
, 0.16% Czechs, 0.1% Hungarians
, 0.1% Germans
, and others.
, by an anonymous notary of Bela III (1172–1196) where he mentions the conquest of three forts in Slavonia
- as the area between rivers Danube
and Sutla was then called: Zagreb
, Vlco (Vukovar
) and Posega. The fortress of Požega, an elongated hexagonal fortification located on a hill in the present-day city center, was probably built during the 11th century, although the first documents that clearly mention Požega county date from 1210, while the city of Požega was documented for the first time in a charter of Andrew II
on January 11, 1227.
Požega was originally the residential estate of the Croatian-Hungarian queen and was exempt from the authority of the viceroy and the county. Although no such charter survives, the privileges that citizens enjoyed fully corresponded to a free royal city.
The fortress that no longer exists and the irregularly-shaped central city square are Romanic in nature.Only fragments of walls remind that there was a fortress once upon a time. Remaining monuments from that age are St. Lawrence Church (first mention in 1303),and church of the Holy Spirit(built in 1235).
By the late 14th century, the city started to decline economically due to insecurity from Ottoman raids. In the 15th century, city walls were built, replacing a moat that existed before. This proved an insufficient defense as the Turks seized Požega in 1537.
During the 150 year long Ottoman rule, Požega was seat of a Sanjak of Požega
and given certain prominence. After a considerable economic decline, in 1537, at the time of the Ottoman conquest, Požega reportedly had 110 houses and 15 businesses. However, by 1579, there were 160 craftsmen in Požega as a result of more security and an increase in population.
The death of Hasan Predojević
the Požega Sanjak Bey
in the Battle of Sisak
in 1593, marked the first Ottoman defeat in Europe, and after years of steady decline, Ottoman rule grew weaker until Požega was finally liberated on the 12th of March 1688 by citizens led by friar Luka Ibrišimović. This day is now celebrated as the day of the city.
After the liberation, Požega came under Habsburg
rule, and in 1745, Požega county was restored and the city thus returned to the authority of Croatian viceroy. Požega underwent a period of vigorous development: In 1699, a grammar school opened - only the fifth in Croatia. In 1727, Jesuits built a theatre, and in 1740, the city's first pharmacy. There was also a philosophical college for Franciscan novices - the first such institution in Slavonia since Ottoman rule. Finally, the Academia Posegana opened in 1760, placing Požega, along with Zagreb, among the first Croatian centres of highest education.
In 1765, Empress Maria Theresa
granted Požega a royal free city
charter and supported the construction of the present-day Cathedral of St.Teresa of Ávila.
In 1847, Požega was the first city in Croatia to introduce the Croatian language in official use, and the achievements of its notable citizens earned it the nickname of "Slavonian Athens".
From 1941 to 1945, Požega was part of the Independent State of Croatia
. During this period war crimes were committed against the Serb and Jewish population, allegedly under former police chief Milivoj Ašner.
Also among the war-time casualties were at least 301 Germans
.
Požega County was abolished along with other Croatian counties in 1923, and was restored in 1993, following Croatian independence. Furthermore, in the footsteps of its tradition as an educational center as well as a church center, Požega became a diocesan see in 1997, and a graduate-degree college was opened in 1998.
-processing (foundry
, machines and tractors, household appliance
s), foodstuffs (chocolate
, sweets
and drinks), textiles (ready-made), wood
and timber
, building material (bricks, roof tiles) and printing industries.
The central town square with a number of nice buildings (the church of the Holy Spirit
, the Franciscan
monastery, the Town House, etc.) and a plague column is one of the most beautiful squares in Croatia.
Požega hosts a number of traditional cultural events and performances. Grgurevo or St. Gregory's Day is a traditional show of canons and mortars, exhibited on the central square (12th of March). The event includes the mortar fire in Požega vineyard
s, which symbolizes the chasing of the Ottomans from the region and commemorates the victory over the Turks on Sokolovac Hill in 1688. The Croatian Minute Movie Cup
— an international festival featuring one minute long movie
s — and the national dog show are held in May. The events in June are St. John's Bonfire (21st of June), Kulenijada — a special event dedicated to presentation and tasting of the very best kulen
(Slavonian paprika
-flavoured sausages), served with quality local wines.
The events in September are Fišijada (fishing and preparing of Slavonian-style fish specialities) and the important music
festival Golden Strings of Slavonia (first weekend in September). This event is a contest of folk music
performers and singers but also includes other events (grape harvest, beauty contest
, the most "swaggering" peasant girl, national costumes show, etc.). Organ
music evenings are organized on the occasion of the town's day and in commemoration of its patroness, St. Teresa of Avila (15th of October).
tournament held in October, organized by the Judokan judo club.
Among other significant sporting events in Požega, in May there is a motocross
race as a part of the Croatian championship, in June there is car race held on Glavica race track, and in September there is a basketball
tournament.
The sports hall Grabrik, the Orljava
river and the surrounding hills are the major sports and recreational areas of Požega. Angling
opportunities are provided on the Orljava and Veličanka rivers, and there is also small game hunting
in the lowlands and high game in the nearby hills. Traditional Slavonian specialities and wines are offered throughout the region.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Poschegg, Hungarian
Hungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
: Pozsega, Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
: Pojega) is a city in western Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
, eastern Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, with a total population of 26,403 (census 2011). It is the administrative center of the Požega-Slavonia County
Požega-Slavonia County
Požega-Slavonia county is a Croatian county in western Slavonia. Its capital is Požega. Population: 85,831 .-Geography:The Požega-Slavonia county borders on the Bjelovar-Bilogora County in the northwest, Virovitica-Podravina County in the north, Osijek-Baranja County in the northeast,...
.
Geography
Požega (elevation: 152 m (498.7 ft)) is located in the south-western part of the Valley of Požega, or Požega basin, in Croatian: Požeška kotlina. This fertile valley was important since the antiquity - its RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
name was Vallis Aurea, meaning "gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
en valley".
The valley is formed by the Slavonian mountains of Požeška Gora
Požeška Gora
Požeška Gora, lit. the Požega Hill, is a mountain located south of Požega, Croatia in the region of Slavonia. The mountain is located east of Psunj and west of Dilj. The highest peak lies at 616 meters above sea level....
, Psunj
Psunj
Psunj is a mountain in the southwestern Slavonia region in eastern Croatia. It is the highest mountain of Slavonia, with the highest peak of Brezovo polje at 984 m.a.s.l. In the north it extends to Ravna gora and Papuk, while otherwise it is surrounded by lowlands...
, Papuk
Papuk
Papuk is the largest mountain in the Slavonia region in eastern Croatia, near the city of Požega. It extends between Bilogora to the northwest, Krndija to the east, and Ravna gora and Psunj to the southwest....
, Krndija
Krndija
Krndija is a hill and village in Slavonia, Croatia, extending eastwards from Papuk. It is located south of Orahovica and Našice and north of Požega....
and Dilj
Dilj
Dilj is a mountain in south-central Slavonia, located in eastern Croatia. Of all the Slovanian mountains Dilj is lowest-lying at 471 meters. It is located north of Slavonski Brod and south of Krndija.-References:...
.
Two state roads run concurrently through the city: the D38
D38 (Croatia)
D38 is a state road in the Slavonia region of Croatia that connects the cities of Pakrac, Požega, Pleternica and Đakovo. The road is 120.8 km long....
Pakrac
Pakrac
Pakrac is a town in western Slavonia, Croatia, population 4,852, total municipality population 8,482 . Pakrac is located on the road and railroad connecting the regions of Posavina and Podravina.-Name:...
— Požega — Pleternica
Pleternica
Pleternica is a town in the region of Slavonia, Croatia, southeast of Požega, in the Požega Valley . The population of the municipality is 11,286, with 3,443 in Pleternica itself ....
— Đakovo and the D51
D51 (Croatia)
D51 connects A3 motorway Nova Gradiška interchange to Nova Gradiška and Požega. The road forms two junctions to D38 state road, one in Brestovac, where D38 branches off to Pakrac, and another further east, in Požega, where D38 branches off to Pleternica. Between those two junctions D51 and D38 are...
Nova Gradiška
Nova Gradiška
Nova Gradiška is a city located in the Brod-Posavina County of Croatia, population 14,196 . It is located in the historic region of Slavonia, near the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina....
— Požega — Našice
Našice
Našice is a town in the Osijek-Baranja county of Croatia, population 7,894 , total municipality population 16,228 . It is located on the northern slopes of Krndija Mountain in eastern Slavonia, 51 km southwest of Osijek; elevation 157 m....
, as well as a railroad: Nova Kapela
Nova Kapela
Nova Kapela is a municipality in Brod-Posavina County, Croatia. There are 5,118 inhabitants in which 98% declare themselves Croats. -References:...
/Batrina
Batrina
Batrina is a village in Slavonia region of Croatia. The settlement is administered as a part of Nova Kapela municipality, Brod-Posavina County. According to the 2001 census, the village has 1096 inhabitants. It is connected by the D49 state road....
— Pleternica
Pleternica
Pleternica is a town in the region of Slavonia, Croatia, southeast of Požega, in the Požega Valley . The population of the municipality is 11,286, with 3,443 in Pleternica itself ....
— Požega — Velika.
Demographics
The total population of the city administrative area is 26,403, in the following settlementsNaselje
Naselje is a settlement in Croatia, usually translated as settlement. It is the smallest unit of Croatian territory. Individual settlements are by and large referred to as selo , while naselje is a statistical and administrative category. The units of local government in Croatia, cities and...
:
- AlaginciAlaginciAlaginci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 218....
, population 202 - BankovciBankovci, Požega-Slavonia CountyBankovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the city of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 117....
, population 104 - Crkveni VrhovciCrkveni VrhovciCrkveni Vrhovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the city of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 32....
, population 30 - Ćosine LazeĆosine LazeĆosine Laze is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 27....
, population 27 - DervišagaDervišagaDervišaga is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2011, population of the village is 882. It is connected by the D38 state road....
, population 882 - Donji EmovciDonji EmovciDonji Emovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 186....
, population 181 - DrškovciDrškovciDrškovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 386....
, population 410 - Emovački LugEmovački LugEmovački Lug is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 43....
, population 36 - GolobrdciGolobrdciGolobrdci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 397....
, population 335 - Gornji EmovciGornji EmovciGornji Emovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 159....
, population 139 - Gradski VrhovciGradski VrhovciGradski Vrhovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 57....
, population 46 - KomušinaKomušinaKomušina is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 102....
, population 81 - KrivajKrivaj, Požega-Slavonia CountyKrivaj is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 77....
, population 82 - KunovciKunovci, CroatiaKunovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 90....
, population 88 - Laze PrnjavorLaze PrnjavorLaze Prnjavor is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 14....
, population 10 - MarindvorMarindvorMarindvor is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 138....
, population 116 - MihaljevciMihaljevciMihaljevci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 792....
, population 757 - Nova LipaNova Lipa, CroatiaNova Lipa is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega. According to national census of 2011, population of the village is 88....
, population 88 - Novi MihaljevciNovi MihaljevciNovi Mihaljevci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2011, population of the village is 292....
, population 292 - Novi ŠtitnjakNovi ŠtitnjakNovi Štitnjak is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 112....
, population 138 - Novo SeloNovo Selo, Požega-Slavonia CountyNovo Selo is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 414....
, population 431 - Požega, population 19,565
- SeociSeoci, CroatiaSeoci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 94....
, population 109 - Stara LipaStara Lipa, CroatiaStara Lipa is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 219....
, population 210 - ŠeovciŠeovciŠeovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 107....
, population 119 - ŠkrabutnikŠkrabutnikŠkrabutnik is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 47....
, population 18 - ŠtitnjakŠtitnjakŠtitnjak is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 59....
, population 54 - TurnićTurnićTurnić is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 93....
, population 88 - UgarciUgarci, CroatiaUgarci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 63....
, population 57 - Vasine LazeVasine LazeVasine Laze is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 24....
, population 29 - VidovciVidovciVidovci is a village in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. The village is administered as a part of the City of Požega.According to national census of 2001, population of the village is 1,759. It is connected by the D38 state road....
, population 1,592
By ethnicity, the population is 91.59% Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
, 5.37% Serbs
Serbs of Croatia
Višeslav of Serbia, a contemporary of Charlemagne , ruled the Županias of Neretva, Tara, Piva, Lim, his ancestral lands. According to the Royal Frankish Annals , Duke of Pannonia Ljudevit Posavski fled, during the Frankish invasion, from his seat in Sisak to the Serbs in western Bosnia, who...
, 1.72% uncommitted, 0.27% Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
, 0.16% Czechs, 0.1% Hungarians
Hungarians of Croatia
Hungarians of Croatia are a recognized ethnic minority. According to the 2001 census there are around 16,500 people of Hungarian ethnicity living in Croatia . Around two thirds of them live in Osijek-Baranja County in eastern Croatia, especially in the Croatian part of the Baranya region which...
, 0.1% Germans
Germans of Croatia
In Croatia, there are still over 2,900 people who consider themselves German, most of these Danube Swabians. Germans and Austrians are officially recognized as a minority in Croatia and therefore have their own permanent seat in the Croatian Parliament. They are mainly concentrated in the area...
, and others.
History
The first mention of the city of Požega is found in the Gesta HungarorumGesta Hungarorum
Gesta Hungarorum is a record of early Hungarian history by an unknown author who describes himself as Anonymi Bele Regis Notarii , but is generally cited as Anonymus...
, by an anonymous notary of Bela III (1172–1196) where he mentions the conquest of three forts in Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
- as the area between rivers Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
and Sutla was then called: Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, Vlco (Vukovar
Vukovar
Vukovar is a city in eastern Croatia, and the biggest river port in Croatia located at the confluence of the Vuka river and the Danube. Vukovar is the center of the Vukovar-Syrmia County...
) and Posega. The fortress of Požega, an elongated hexagonal fortification located on a hill in the present-day city center, was probably built during the 11th century, although the first documents that clearly mention Požega county date from 1210, while the city of Požega was documented for the first time in a charter of Andrew II
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
on January 11, 1227.
Požega was originally the residential estate of the Croatian-Hungarian queen and was exempt from the authority of the viceroy and the county. Although no such charter survives, the privileges that citizens enjoyed fully corresponded to a free royal city.
By the late 14th century, the city started to decline economically due to insecurity from Ottoman raids. In the 15th century, city walls were built, replacing a moat that existed before. This proved an insufficient defense as the Turks seized Požega in 1537.
During the 150 year long Ottoman rule, Požega was seat of a Sanjak of Požega
Sanjak of Pojega
The Sanjak of Pojega was an administrative unit of the Ottoman Empire formed in 1537/1538. It existed until the Treaty of Karlowitz when region was transferred to the Habsburg Monarchy. It was located in present-day eastern Croatia, in Slavonia region...
and given certain prominence. After a considerable economic decline, in 1537, at the time of the Ottoman conquest, Požega reportedly had 110 houses and 15 businesses. However, by 1579, there were 160 craftsmen in Požega as a result of more security and an increase in population.
The death of Hasan Predojević
Hasan Predojević
Hasan Predojević, Telli Hasan Paşa, Gazi Hasan-paša Predojević, was a military leader of the Ottoman army. Born Niko Predojević in Herzegovina, he was given the name Hasan after he converted to Islam.During the rule of Murat III he became Sandjakbey of the Sanjak of Segedin where he stayed until...
the Požega Sanjak Bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
in the Battle of Sisak
Battle of Sisak
The Battle of Sisak was fought on June 22, 1593, between Ottoman forces of the Bosnian governor-general, or Beylerbeyi, Hasan-paša Predojević, and forces of the Holy Roman Empire under the supreme command of the Styrian general Ruprecht von Eggenberg...
in 1593, marked the first Ottoman defeat in Europe, and after years of steady decline, Ottoman rule grew weaker until Požega was finally liberated on the 12th of March 1688 by citizens led by friar Luka Ibrišimović. This day is now celebrated as the day of the city.
After the liberation, Požega came under Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
rule, and in 1745, Požega county was restored and the city thus returned to the authority of Croatian viceroy. Požega underwent a period of vigorous development: In 1699, a grammar school opened - only the fifth in Croatia. In 1727, Jesuits built a theatre, and in 1740, the city's first pharmacy. There was also a philosophical college for Franciscan novices - the first such institution in Slavonia since Ottoman rule. Finally, the Academia Posegana opened in 1760, placing Požega, along with Zagreb, among the first Croatian centres of highest education.
In 1765, Empress Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
granted Požega a royal free city
Royal free city
Royal free city or free royal city was the official term for the most important cities in the Kingdom of Hungary from the 15th century until the early 20th century...
charter and supported the construction of the present-day Cathedral of St.Teresa of Ávila.
In 1847, Požega was the first city in Croatia to introduce the Croatian language in official use, and the achievements of its notable citizens earned it the nickname of "Slavonian Athens".
From 1941 to 1945, Požega was part of the Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
. During this period war crimes were committed against the Serb and Jewish population, allegedly under former police chief Milivoj Ašner.
Also among the war-time casualties were at least 301 Germans
Germans of Croatia
In Croatia, there are still over 2,900 people who consider themselves German, most of these Danube Swabians. Germans and Austrians are officially recognized as a minority in Croatia and therefore have their own permanent seat in the Croatian Parliament. They are mainly concentrated in the area...
.
Požega County was abolished along with other Croatian counties in 1923, and was restored in 1993, following Croatian independence. Furthermore, in the footsteps of its tradition as an educational center as well as a church center, Požega became a diocesan see in 1997, and a graduate-degree college was opened in 1998.
Economy
Chief occupations include farming, viticulture, livestock breeding, metalMetal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
-processing (foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
, machines and tractors, household appliance
Major appliance
A major appliance, or domestic appliance, is usually defined as a large machine which accomplishes some routine housekeeping task, which includes purposes such as cooking, or food preservation, whether in a household, institutional, commercial or industrial setting...
s), foodstuffs (chocolate
Chocolate
Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
, sweets
SweetS
was a Japanese idol group. Put together through auditions, the group debuted in 2003 on the avex trax label. Although the group met minor success, they disbanded after three years with the release of a final single in June 2006....
and drinks), textiles (ready-made), wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
and timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
, building material (bricks, roof tiles) and printing industries.
Festivities and Events
The city has an 800-year-old cultural and historical heritage. Its carefully cherished traditions underlie the tourist development of Požega.The central town square with a number of nice buildings (the church of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
, the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monastery, the Town House, etc.) and a plague column is one of the most beautiful squares in Croatia.
Požega hosts a number of traditional cultural events and performances. Grgurevo or St. Gregory's Day is a traditional show of canons and mortars, exhibited on the central square (12th of March). The event includes the mortar fire in Požega vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
s, which symbolizes the chasing of the Ottomans from the region and commemorates the victory over the Turks on Sokolovac Hill in 1688. The Croatian Minute Movie Cup
Croatian Minute Movie Cup
Croatian Minute Movie Cup is the longest running international film festival in Croatia, held every year in Požega. The festival began in 1993.The festival regularly attracts filmmakers from more than 20 countries.- External links :*...
— an international festival featuring one minute long movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s — and the national dog show are held in May. The events in June are St. John's Bonfire (21st of June), Kulenijada — a special event dedicated to presentation and tasting of the very best kulen
Kulen
Kulen is a type of flavored sausage made of minced pork that is traditionally produced in Croatia and Serbia , and its designation of origin has been protected. In parts of Slavonia, kulen is called kulin due to Ikavian speech.The meat is low-fat, rather brittle and dense, and the flavor is spicy...
(Slavonian paprika
Paprika
Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried fruits of Capsicum annuum . In many European languages, the word paprika refers to bell peppers themselves. The seasoning is used in many cuisines to add color and flavor to dishes. Paprika can range from mild to hot...
-flavoured sausages), served with quality local wines.
The events in September are Fišijada (fishing and preparing of Slavonian-style fish specialities) and the important music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
festival Golden Strings of Slavonia (first weekend in September). This event is a contest of folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
performers and singers but also includes other events (grape harvest, beauty contest
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
, the most "swaggering" peasant girl, national costumes show, etc.). Organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
music evenings are organized on the occasion of the town's day and in commemoration of its patroness, St. Teresa of Avila (15th of October).
Sports and recreation
Internationally, the most important sporting event in Požega is the annual judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
tournament held in October, organized by the Judokan judo club.
Among other significant sporting events in Požega, in May there is a motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
race as a part of the Croatian championship, in June there is car race held on Glavica race track, and in September there is a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
tournament.
The sports hall Grabrik, the Orljava
Orljava
Orljava is a river in Slavonia, eastern Croatia, a left tributary of Sava. It is long and its basin covers an area of .Orljava rises in the mountainous forested areas of Psunj, south of Bučje. It receives influx from smaller rivers that rise in the mountains of Papuk and Požeška gora...
river and the surrounding hills are the major sports and recreational areas of Požega. Angling
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
opportunities are provided on the Orljava and Veličanka rivers, and there is also small game hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
in the lowlands and high game in the nearby hills. Traditional Slavonian specialities and wines are offered throughout the region.
Notable people
- Luka IbrišimovićLuka Ibrišimovicfra Luka Ibrišimović was a Croatian friar who led an uprising against Ottoman forces in Slavonia.Ibrišimović was born in Požega or in Sibinj around 1626....
(1626-1698), friar and military commander in the Ottoman wars - Dino JelusićDino JelusicDino Jelušić is a Croatian singer, musician and songwriter. He was the winner of the firstJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2003 , which took place in Copenhagen on 15 November 2003....
, singer, winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2003Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2003The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the first Eurovision Song Contest for young singers aged eight to fifteen. It was held on 15 November 2003, in Copenhagen, Denmark... - Antun KanižlićAntun KanižlicAntun Kanižlić was a Croatian Jesuit and poet.After finishing the gymnasium in Požega, he continued his education in Zagreb, Vienna and Leoben...
(1699–1777), writer, among the first "Slavonian spiritual rebirth" authors - Julije KempfJulije KempfJulije Kempf was a Croatian historian and writer. Kempf was born in Požega, Slavonia. After graduating from Požega gymnasium, he attended teachers school in Zagreb...
(1864–1934), historian, writer, teacher, founder of the City Museum - Miroslav KraljevićMiroslav KraljevicMiroslav Kraljević was a Croatian painter, printmaker and sculptor, active in the early part of the 20th century. He is one of the founders of modern art in Croatia....
(1885–1913), born in GospićGospicGospić is a town in the mountainous and sparsely populated region of Lika, Croatia. It is the administrative centre of Lika-Senj county. Gospić is located near the Lika River in the middle of a karst field....
, family originally from Požega area, painter, among the founders of Croatian modern painting, created his most important works in Požega - Dragutin LermanDragutin LermanDragutin Lerman was a Croatian explorer. Lerman was born in Požega, Slavonia, but he left his home very early. He was a member of the 1882 Henry Morton Stanley expedition to Congo and was one of Stanley's most trusted men...
(1863–1918), writer, African explorer, East Congo commissioner - Stjepan MesićStjepan MesićStjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General...
(born 1934), born in OrahovicaOrahovicaOrahovica is a town in Slavonia, Croatia. It is situated on the slopes of the mountain Papuk and positioned on the state road D2 Varaždin-Koprivnica-Našice-Osijek.-Economy:...
, attended Požega gymnasium, President of CroatiaPresident of CroatiaThe President of Croatia , officially styled the President of the Republic represents the Republic of Croatia in the country and abroad as the head of state, maintains the regular and coordinated operation and stability of the national government system, and safeguards the independence and...
(2000-2010) - Armin PavićArmin PavićArmin Pavić was Croatian linguist, university professor and rector of the University of Zagreb.He received a degree in Classical philology and Slavic studies in Vienna in 1864...
(1844–1914), literary historian - Vesna PisarovićVesna PisarovicVesna Pisarović is a Croatian pop singer.Pisarović was born in Brčko, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia and grew up in Požega, Croatia, a part of the same country until she was 13...
(born 1978), singer - Predrag StojakovićPredrag StojakovicPredrag Stojaković , also known by his nickname Peja , is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association . Standing at 6 ft 10 , Stojaković plays the small forward position...
(born 1977), Serbian NBA basketball player - Ante ŠercerAnte ŠercerAnte Šercer was a Croatian physician.He attended elementary school in Dubrovnik. Finishing medical studies in Graz and Prague , he soon attended the specialized courses in Othorinolaringology in Zagreb, Vienna, and again, in Prague...
(1896–1968), physician, academician - Andrija ŠtamparAndrija ŠtamparAndrija Štampar was a distinguished scholar in the field of social medicine from Croatia.-Education:...
(1888–1958), physician, founder of School of Public Health in Zagreb
External links
- Požega official site by Croatian RadiotelevisionCroatian RadiotelevisionCroatian Radiotelevision is a Croatian public broadcasting company. It operates several radio and television channels, over a domestic transmitter network as well as satellite...