Slavonski Brod

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**Slavonski Brod**
Image:Slavonski brod.jpg Coat of arms
Latitude	45.16°N
Longitude	18.01°E
Mayor	?
Surface (km²)	?
Population (2006)	61,281 [1]
Time zone (UTC)	UTC+1 Central European Time

Slavonski Brod is the sixth largest city in Croatia, with a population of 64,612 in 2001. The city was known as Marsonia in the Roman Empire, and as Brod na Savi 1244–1934. Located in the region of Slavonia, it is the centre of Brodsko-Posavska county, and a river port on the Sava river. It is 197 km southeast of Zagreb and at an elevation of 96 m. The word 'Brod' is Croatian for ship.

1 Geography
2 Economy
3 Cultural heritage
4 Surroundings
5 Famous people from Slavonski Brod
6 External links

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Geography

The city developed at the strategically important crossing over the Sava river towards Bosanski Brod in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an important intersection of the Posavina part of the highway and a railway junction, since it is located on the highway linking Zagreb–Lipovac–Belgrade (E70, A3) and the Zagreb–Vinkovci–Belgrade railway. The ship port 'Brod' on the Sava river is under construction.

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Economy

The city's economy is based on farming, viticulture, fruit growing, metal-processing , timber and (furniture wood, parquetry), textiles (ready-made), leather, foodstuffs (brewery), building material (lime), and printing industries.

Slavonski Brod is also home to some of the most important metal companies in Southeastern Europe, the Duro Dakovic consortium, consisting of a number of factories producing very diverse products, mainly for export. The consortium is capable of producing: locomotives, tramways, wagons, bridges, industrial plants, nuclear reactors, car parts, heavily armed vehicles, agricultural machinery, etc.

Duro Dakovic is also part of the Croatian consortium CROTRAM, that produces the first Croatian low-floor tramway TMK 2200, one of the most advanced in the world, and also the most cost efective. This tramway is almost entirely a Croatian product (more than 70% of the components, including the most sophisticated electronics, are produced in Croatia).

The surroundings area of the Slavonski Brod are home to splendid vineyards, which produce exceptional vines such as those from the Zdjelarević cellar, which are among the best in all Croatia. These vines are also exported across Europe.

Service industries are becoming rapidly important, especially tourism. The city has an important cultural heritage, including a fortress and a Franciscan monastery with a rich library.

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Cultural heritage

The old fortress from the Baroque period, was constructed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire to serve as a stronghold against the Ottoman Empire, which was situated on the other bank of the Sava river. It is in the Vauban style, named after one of the best European experts in the building of fortifications in 17th and 18th centuries. It is one of Europe's best preserved fortresses, and also one of the biggest on the former Austro-Hungarian Military Frontier. In a way, it is the continental obverse of Diocletian's Palace in Split, by it's monumentality.

The city's Franciscan monastery dates from the 18th century, and is also Baroque in style, with exceptional architecture, especially of the church yard, and monastery church interior, with its beautiful altar and paintings. In 1720, a faculty of philosophy was opened here.

The most important annual cultural event in the town is the children's festival 'In the World of the Fairy Tales of Writer Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić', in April and May. The Brod Circle Dance, an annual show of original folklore, is held in mid-June, while the Festival of Patriotic Folk Songs takes place in May. The artistic 'Sava' colony\[2] cherishes the tradition of watercolour painting.

One of the attractions of Slavonski Brod is a beautiful central town square, one of the two or three biggest in all of Croatia, Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić square, named after a popular children's writer, whose house is on the square. This square is also home to numerous cultural events and has a perfect view of the beautiful Sava river. The square is also dotted with galleries, book stores, cafes, night clubs, shops etc., which make it perfect place for entertainment. Close to the square, another attraction is the romantic promenade next to the Sava river - 'Kej' as it is called by citizens of town.

The city also hosts the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Osijek University, and the Primary School Teacher Training College. Some other faculties are expected to be opened soon.

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Surroundings

In the immediate surroundings of the town there are interesting hunting grounds (Migalovci), fishponds (Jelas Polje), and a lake (Petnja). There are pleasant orchards and vineyards, Dilj mountain (or 'Dilj Gora'), and swimming opportunities.

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