Dado Vu (english)

Vukovar is located at the confluence of Vuka River into the Danube, 15 km east of Vinkovci, 20 km southeast of Osijek. Its economy is based on agriculture, textile and food-processing industry. The first traces of human presence in Vukovar area date back to 3000 BC, when it was the regional center of eneolithic culture. This Vucedol culture, named after the Vucedol archaeological site near Vukovar, was widespread; its influence reaching as far as Prague. Vukovar has a remarkable topographic position (elevation 108 m), which made it an important defence location. Croats arrived in southeastern Europe in early 7th century and founded many new cities and villages across Dalmatia and Slavonia (including Vukovar area). Vukovar became the administrative center of Vukovska district which comprised the territory between the Sava River and the Danube. Croats soon accepted Christianity and Vukovar also became the religious center of Vukovska district. In 1231 Vukovar was one of the first Croatian towns that was granted the status of a free royal city. This enabled its inhabitants to enjoy numerous benefits; many fortresses and villages were built. Several holy orders had monasteries in the town, the most influential was the Franciscan order. The Croatian population in Vukovar suffered heavy casualties during the Croato - Turkish wars, during which Vukovar was occupied by Turks (between 1526 and 1687). The Turks were defeated in late 17th century by Croato - Austrian coalition forces. Vukovar and the surrounding area were liberated, but it was both economically and demographically devastated. Many villages laid waste. Croatia was a part of Habsburg Empire, so the administration in Vienna started sending German settlers, mostly craftsmen, to Vukovar area in order to rebuild the local economy. The first settlers of Orthodox Christian religion started arriving to Vukovar area during the Turkish occupation. They were called Vlasi, and were Turkish allies. After Turkish defeat several hundred Serbian families came to live in area around Vukovar. Approximately ten Serbian villages were founded, and they existed for centuries as enclaves, isolated from the surrounding territory. The next wave of Serbian settlers came after 1945, when communists expelled German population from Vukovar area. This second wave of Serbian settlers was a part of a carefully prepared plan of Serbian colonization of Eastern Slavonia. Despite the presence of several different nations in Vukovar area, Vukovar kept its Croatian identity. By 1991 the population of Vukovar with suburbs has grown to 60,639.