Beli Manastir

Beli Manastir ("Hungarian: Pélmonostor") is a town and municipality in eastern Croatia, the principal town of the Croatian part of Baranja, in the Osijek-Baranja county.

Name

The name means "white monastery" in Croatian and primarily in Serbian (its name "Beli" as opposed to standard Croatian "Bijeli" reflects the local speech of the Slavic-language population rather than adhering to specific Croatian or Serbian guidelines). This name was introduced in 1923 during the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and before this it was known as "Monoštor" in Croatian and Serbian and "Pélmonostor" in Hungarian. Other names used for the town in history were: "Pél", "Bell", and "Monostor". All names are connected with monasteries that existed in history at this location. First monastery was built in the 9th century during the rule of Slavic duke Kocelj. Monastery was later razed, and the only thing that left from it was "pil" ("obelisk" in English), hence the later Hungarian name "Pél", which was a version of this Slavic word.

History

The town was first mentioned in 1212 under name "Pél". It has had very diverse ethnic composition since its earliest times. The population of the town through the history included Croats, Serbs, Magyars, Germans and Roma.

According to the 1910 census, the town had 2,447 inhabitants, of which 1,496 (61.1%) were Germans, 478 (19.5%) Serbs and 443 (18.1%) Magyars. [Atlas and Gazetteer of Historic Hungary 1914, [http://www.talmakiado.hu/ Talma Kiadó] ]

In 1929 the population was made of: Magyars (33.8%), Germans (32.6%), Croats (18.8%) and Serbs (around 12%).

During the Croatian War of Independence, Beli Manastir was incorporated along with other towns into the unrecognized breakaway Republic of Serbian Krajina. It was returned to Croatian control after the war.

Geography

The municipality of Beli Manastir is composed of 4 settlements:
* Beli Manastir
* Branjin Vrh (formerly Baranyavár)
* Šećerana
* Šumarina

Demographics

1910

2,447 Total
* Germans - 61.1%
* Serbs - 19.5%
* Hungarians - 18.1%

1929

Hungarians - 33.8%Germans - 32.6%Croats - 18.8%Serbs - 12%

1981

53,409 total
* Croats - 19,136 (35.83%)
* Serbs - 12,857 (24.07%)

2001

The town has a population of 8,671 (2001), while total municipality population is 10,986.Ethnic composition of Beli Manastir municipality by 2001 census was: [http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv/censuses/Census2001/Popis/H01_02_02/H01_02_02_zup14.html]
*Croats = 6,085 (55.39%)
*Serbs = 2,920 (26.58%)
*Hungarians = 933 (8.49%)
*Roma = 153 (1.39%)
*Germans = 122 (1.11%)

Buildings and structures

Broadcasting facility with 202 metres tall guyed mast, built in 1966 [http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0006009]

References

ee also

*Osijek-Baranja County
*Baranja

External links

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/HR/0/Beli_Manastir.html Beli Manastir]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3972543.stm Croatia struggles for post-war harmony]
* [http://www.kazaliste-belimanastir.hr/ Theater of Beli Manastir]