Požega, Croatia

Požega ( _hu. Pozsega) is a town in west Slavonia, eastern part of Croatia, with a population of 28,948 (census 2001). It is the center of the Požega-Slavonia county.

The city lies on the main road (M1.6) Nova Gradiška — Požega — Našice and the railroad Nova Kapela/Batrina — Požega - Velika and Velika - Požega - Pleternica - Našice

Geography

Požega (elevation: 152 m, 499 ft) is located in the south-western part of the Valley of Požega, or Požega basin, in Croatian: "Požeška kotlina" (lit. ravine). This fertile valley was important since the antiquity - its Roman name was "Vallis Aurea", meaning "golden valley".

The valley is formed by the Slavonian mountains of Požeška Gora, Psunj, Papuk, Krndija and Dilj.

History

First historical mentions of the city of Požega (German: "Poschegg", Hungarian: "Pozsega") are found in Gesta Hungarorum by an anonymous notary of Bela III (1172-1196) where he reports conquest of three fortifications in Slavonia - as the area between rivers Danube and Sutla was called then: 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 clearly mentioning Požega county dates 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. One other remaining monument from that age is St. Lawrence Church (first mention in 1303).

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 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 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 free royal 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".

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, metal-processing (foundry, machines and tractors, household appliances), foodstuffs (chocolate, sweets and drinks), textiles (ready-made), wood and timber, building material (bricks, roof tiles) and printing industries. Besides [http://www.pozeska-bolnica.hr County hospital] , there is also one of largest correction institutions in Croatia, for juvenile, female and general population.

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, 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 vineyards, 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 movies — 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).

ports and recreation

Internationally, the most important sporting event in Požega is the annual judo 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.

Famous people from Požega

*Vjekoslav Babukić (1812-1875; first secretary of Matica ilirska)
*Josip Buturac - (1905-1993; historian)
*Franjo Ciraki - (1847-1912; writer, mayor of Požega)
*Vilim Korajac - (1839-1899; writer)
*Boris Hanžeković - (1916-1945; athlete, held several sprint records in 1930s)
*Branko Hribar - (1930; writer)
*Dubravko Jelčić - (1930; literary historian, academian)
*Janko Jurković - (1827-1889; writer)
*Antun Kanižlić - (1699-1777; writer, among the first "Slavonian spiritual rebirth" authors)
*Julije Kempf - (1864-1934; historian, writer, teacher, founder of the City Museum)
*Miroslav Kraljević (1823-1877; writer, author of the first modern Croatian novel, founder of the first printing company in Požega)
*Miroslav Kraljević (1885-1913; born in Gospić, family originally from Požega area, painter, among the founders of Croatian modern painting, created his most important works in Požega)
*Dragutin Lerman - (1863-1918; writer, African explorer, East Congo commissioner)
*Nada Gačešić Livaković - (1951- ; Croatian actress)
*Stjepan Mesić - (1934; born in Orahovica, attended Požega gymnasium, president of Croatia since 2000)
*Vilma Nožinić - (1897-1975; opera singer, one of pillars of Zagreb opera "golden age")
*Armin Pavić - (1844-1914; literary historian)
*Josip Pavičić - (1895-1963; writer)
*Matko Peić - (1923-1999; writer, painter, university professor, academian)
*Ante Šercer - (1896-1968; physician, academian)
*Andrija Štampar - (1888-1958; physician, founder of School of Public Health in Zagreb)
*Josip Eugen Tomić - (1843-1906; writer)
*Drago Josipović - (; biker)
*Ivana Kindl - singer
*Predrag Stojaković - (1977; NBA basketball player)
*Vesna Pisarović - singer
*Dino Jelusić - Singer,winner of first Eurovision for youth
*Ines Bojanić - actress
*Tvrtko Jakovina - Historian
*Ćiro Gašparac - singer
*Kićo Slabinac - singer
*Radoica Popović - Gymnast,champion of Yugoslavia 3 times
*Ivan Enjingi - Winegrower,from nearby Kutjevo wines
*Vlado Krauthaker - Winegrower,from Kutjevo wines

External links

* [http://www.dzs.hr/default_e.htm/ Official Croatian census]
* [http://www.pozega.hr/ Požega official site]
* [http://www.hrt.hr/arhiv/hrvati_u_svijetu/upoznajte_hrvatsku/04_hrvatski_gradovi/pozega/pozega.html Požega - in Croatian]

ister cities

* Yokneam, Israel flagicon|Israel