Croatia’s ‘continental Dubrovnik’ becoming cultural tourism hit

Ilok (Photo: Marko Džavić)

The completion of the reconstruction of the medieval walls in Croatia’s easternmost town of Ilok is expected by spring, as highlighted during the Open Doors Day at the Ilok Walls. 

Over a hundred citizens and dignitaries gathered at the presentation of this highly significant project at the Kurija Brnjaković.

The reconstruction of the walls of the Žitnica building, the Cellar Master’s House, and the Franciscan monastery in Ilok is one of the largest projects in eastern Croatia. 

(Photo: Marko Džavić)

Valued at just under nine million euros, the European Union co-finances it with almost 6.7 million euros from the Operational Program “Competitiveness and Cohesion” 2014-2020.

“The hallmark of Ilok is the walls built by Nikola Iločki. Damaged by the ravages of time, they required restoration, which began in 2021, and I am truly proud that we have reached the end. This project is a valuable addition to the city’s tourist offer, and I believe that many will find it interesting to stroll along the southern part of the walls or enjoy the view from the tower on the northern side overlooking the Danube,” emphasised Mayor Marina Budimir.

Mayor Marina Budimir (Photo: Marko Džavić)

Damir Dekanić, the County Prefect of Vukovar-Srijem County, emphasised that with the completion of the reconstruction project, Ilok will become one of the most attractive cultural tourism destinations not only in Vukovar-Srijem County but throughout Croatia.

(Photo: Modzzak/CC BY-SA 3.0)

“The county encourages the restoration of cultural and historical heritage and utilises all possibilities for investments in tourist infrastructure, which is reflected in the continuous growth of tourism results,” said the county prefect.

The importance of this project for Croatia’s cultural heritage was underscored by Marko Mikolašević, the Head of the Conservation Department in Vukovar, and representative of the Ministry of Culture and Media. Antonijo Kraljević, the CEO of Iločki podrumi, partners with the Franciscan monastery and the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County on the project, explained what the reconstruction means for the local community.

(Photo: Marko Džavić)

Sustainable Tourism in Focus

Majda Jakša, the director of the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County, said that with the completion of this highly demanding project, Ilok will gain a new attraction.

“With this, we have completed a beautiful tourist story that Ilok ultimately deserves. This project is an example of quality destination management, with an emphasis on sustainable tourism, a choice we have made in Vukovar-Srijem County. I am extremely pleased that we have succeeded in preserving our cultural heritage in Ilok for future generations,” Majda Jakša conveyed at the Kurija Brnjaković. Just a few hundred meters away at the City Museum of Ilok in Odescalchi Castle, the youngest residents of Ilok enjoyed an educational workshop with storyteller Sandra and museum curators.

(Photo: Marko Džavić)

Even the fog that gifted the easternmost Croatian city with a mystical ambiance on the Open Doors Day of Ilok Walls did not deter guests from Zagreb from visiting the monastery and the church of St. John Capistrano and the City Museum of Ilok, strolling through its center. They did not hide their enthusiasm for its beauty, with a promise to return in the spring when the green areas will also be restored.

(Photo: Marko Džavić)

Prior to the Open Doors Day of Ilok Walls at the Kurija Brnjaković, an education session on the valorization and interpretation of cultural heritage concluded that with the completion of the project next year, Ilok will become a tourist hotspot in the far east of Croatia.

And the Continent Has Its Own Dubrovnik

In terms of value and importance, the Ilok Walls can be compared to those of Dubrovnik and Ston. Defensive towers, semi-towers, bastions, and connecting walls began construction in the 13th century and expanded westward in the 15th century. Nikola Iločki is credited for their preserved medieval form. 

Ilok (Photo: Marko Džavić)

The walls once stretched for 1,600 meters, and today, over 850 meters are preserved and being restored. Along with their reconstruction, the Žitnica building is being restored, which will house a presentation hall, a permanent gallery, an information center, and accommodation facilities. The Cellar Master’s House is dedicated to Ilok’s rich wine cultural heritage, and three wings of the Franciscan monastery of St. John Capistrano are also being renovated.

Franciscan monastery of St. John Capistrano