Vinkovci has a long history dating back to prehistoric times and combines a wealth of cultural heritage with the beauty of nature. Archaeological sites are scattered throughout the city, and one of the most significant is the Vučedol Archaeological Park, where an ancient civilization flourished over 5,000 years ago.
The Vinkovci Municipal Park offers a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center. The park also features a charming lake, where you can rent a boat and enjoy a leisurely cruise on the water. No visit to Vinkovci would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of these places will make you feel like you are part of a family.
Vinkovačke Jeseni, one of the oldest folklore festivals in Croatia, showcases traditional music, dance and customs of the region. Enjoy lively performances, colorful costumes and a joyful atmosphere as the streets come alive with celebration.
Location
Vinkovci lie on one of the banks of the Bosut River, 19 km southwest of Vukovar, 24 km north of Županja and 43 km south of Osijek.
Vučedol Archaeological Park
The Vučedol archaeological site is located on the right bank of the Danube, about 4 km downstream from the city centre of Vukovar. The culture that bears its name, the Vučedol culture (3000 – 2400 BCE), is contemporary with the Sumerian period in Mesopotamia, the Old Kingdom in Egypt and the beginnings of Troy.
The most notable excavations were conducted in 1938, when German archaeologist Robert R. Schmidt excavated the Megaron and found the world-famous Vučedol dove. The excavations were interrupted in the early 1990s due to the war. They were resumed in 2000 after the area was cleared of mines.
City Museum Vinkovci
The Municipal Museum was founded in 1946, and since 1950 it has been housed in a late Baroque building built for military purposes in the early 1780s. Among the Roman finds, stone tombstones with figures of Poseidon and Heracles stand out, while the medieval collection includes particularly valuable Old Slavic pottery and a sword.
The Department’s permanent exhibition is on display on the first floor of the museum building, and only the part representing the Neolithic period is currently open.
Church of Saints Eusebius and Polion
Built between 1772 and 1777, the Church of Saints Eusebius and Polionius bears witness to a past of faith but also of conflicts. During the Croatian War of Independence, the place of worship suffered significant damage; on November 20, 1991, in particular, it was the target of heavy bombings that caused a devastating fire to the spire, also leading to the ruin of the bells. The images of its destruction became an icon of the battle.
Church of Pentecost
The original church was constructed in the late 18th Century in the distinctive Baroque architectural style. However, it suffered from significant damage during the Croatian war of Independence, which took place in 1991. The Serbian Orthodox house of prayer was eventually rebuilt in 1997, after the war ended. It is associated with the Eparchy of Osječko polje and Baranja, and is often considered as the principal religious and cultural hub for the locals of Vinkovci.
Civic Theater Joza Ivakić
The theatre has gone through various phases of development. Starting in 2002, the theatre once again had professional production, and in 2007, under the directorship of Ivica Zupković, with the adoption of a new Statute, the theatre became professional with the ambition of creating its own ensemble.
Franciscan Museum Vukovar
The recently launched option of 360° sightseeing this iconic location in the Eastern town of Vukovar in Slavonia (referred to as the ”Hero City” due to its suffering in the Homeland War) is an excellent innovation for what’s become known as “screen tourism”. Whatever your reasons for not being able to physically get to Vukovar at the moment, the Vukovar Franciscan Monastery Virtual Tour is always ready for you to take part.
In the entire complex of the Franciscan monastery in Vukovar, covering over 3,500 square meters. The virtual tour offers visitors an online tour of the museum over two floors, the church, the script, the bell tower with the watchtower, the wine cellar.
