Sisak
05-11-2013, 02:07 PM
Orahovica is a town in Slavonia, Croatia. It is situated on the slopes of the mountain Papuk.
The name Orahovica is derived from the word orah, meaning a walnut tree.
Orahovica was first officially mentioned in the year 1228, in a historical document issued by king Andrew II. Ružica fortification, not far from Orahovica, was first mentioned in the year 1357 as a royal estate.
In the 20th century the town was a centre of a large municipality with a well-developed industry, and agriculture. During the Croatian War of Independence Orahovica suffered from a number of shell attacks that caused certain material damage.
Ružica town is situated in the northeast mountain range of Papuk on 418 m above sea level, above the village Duzluk, few km from the town of Orahovica. It represents the largest preserved fortress complex in the area of Slavonia, and one of the largest in Croatia.
Ružica town is located on the strategic position, from which one can control large part of Slavonian Podravina. Due to that, the town had great importance during turbulent events in late Middle-ages (12th to 15th century).
The name of Ružica Town is not entirely studied. Some authors bring it in the relation with wild rose, and the name of nearby village Duzluk (from Turkish word 'duzem' which means floral, of a rose, or girl's decoration). Others think, what is more probable, that the name was taken out of Reholcz, what was the middle-age name for Orahovica town, because during the middle ages, town of Ružica belonged to property of Orahovica. This property is first mentioned in year 1228. The fortress itself is first mentioned in 1357, as a royal property, and later it was ownership of different aristocrats, among which are Nikola Kont, Lovro Iločki, Ladislav More, brothers Pomanicki, and others.
Ružica town, as well as entire surrounding, comes under Turks occupation in 1543. Throughout the entire period under Turk's occupation, Ružica town was a military fort. Probably for some time (especially in 17th century), it was a place where sanjak-beys from Požega resided, while in some documents there is a mention of Orahovica sanjak-beys, but this is about the other centre of Požega sanjak.
The famous historian Đuro Szabo says: 'If someone asks who, or what is Ružica, one cannot answer in one word. It is not a town (germ. burg), not a court (germ. Schloss), not a fortress (germ. Festung), but all together'. Ružica town has a shape of ellipse, and is consisted of strong entrance defender, town chapel, and middle part of the town, pentagon fortress and thick walls that surround the town. The town is a bond of rough building of thick, large walls, and towers, and gentle flagrant-like, stone plastics that decorated the inner of the walls - like 'the beauty and the beast' in one. One can approach the forest by taking a light walk through the forest form the direction of Orahovica lake, well-known weekend resort of local population and hunters. Below the Ružica town there is a natural elevation from which, when the weather is favourable, one can see entire Panonian valley.
http://i40.tinypic.com/30mmq2w.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2yty5xz.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2zizywk.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2pyrk1y.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/33lfe2t.jpg
Orahovica became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virovitica-Podravina County and Slavonia. Its culture, events, beautiful nature, sports and lake attract more and more tourists every year.
The nearby Orahovica Lake offers various forms of recreation, especially during the warm season of the year. Fishing opportunities are offered on the nearby fishpond Grudnjak.
http://i39.tinypic.com/22j9de.jpg
The name Orahovica is derived from the word orah, meaning a walnut tree.
Orahovica was first officially mentioned in the year 1228, in a historical document issued by king Andrew II. Ružica fortification, not far from Orahovica, was first mentioned in the year 1357 as a royal estate.
In the 20th century the town was a centre of a large municipality with a well-developed industry, and agriculture. During the Croatian War of Independence Orahovica suffered from a number of shell attacks that caused certain material damage.
Ružica town is situated in the northeast mountain range of Papuk on 418 m above sea level, above the village Duzluk, few km from the town of Orahovica. It represents the largest preserved fortress complex in the area of Slavonia, and one of the largest in Croatia.
Ružica town is located on the strategic position, from which one can control large part of Slavonian Podravina. Due to that, the town had great importance during turbulent events in late Middle-ages (12th to 15th century).
The name of Ružica Town is not entirely studied. Some authors bring it in the relation with wild rose, and the name of nearby village Duzluk (from Turkish word 'duzem' which means floral, of a rose, or girl's decoration). Others think, what is more probable, that the name was taken out of Reholcz, what was the middle-age name for Orahovica town, because during the middle ages, town of Ružica belonged to property of Orahovica. This property is first mentioned in year 1228. The fortress itself is first mentioned in 1357, as a royal property, and later it was ownership of different aristocrats, among which are Nikola Kont, Lovro Iločki, Ladislav More, brothers Pomanicki, and others.
Ružica town, as well as entire surrounding, comes under Turks occupation in 1543. Throughout the entire period under Turk's occupation, Ružica town was a military fort. Probably for some time (especially in 17th century), it was a place where sanjak-beys from Požega resided, while in some documents there is a mention of Orahovica sanjak-beys, but this is about the other centre of Požega sanjak.
The famous historian Đuro Szabo says: 'If someone asks who, or what is Ružica, one cannot answer in one word. It is not a town (germ. burg), not a court (germ. Schloss), not a fortress (germ. Festung), but all together'. Ružica town has a shape of ellipse, and is consisted of strong entrance defender, town chapel, and middle part of the town, pentagon fortress and thick walls that surround the town. The town is a bond of rough building of thick, large walls, and towers, and gentle flagrant-like, stone plastics that decorated the inner of the walls - like 'the beauty and the beast' in one. One can approach the forest by taking a light walk through the forest form the direction of Orahovica lake, well-known weekend resort of local population and hunters. Below the Ružica town there is a natural elevation from which, when the weather is favourable, one can see entire Panonian valley.
http://i40.tinypic.com/30mmq2w.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2yty5xz.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2zizywk.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2pyrk1y.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/33lfe2t.jpg
Orahovica became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virovitica-Podravina County and Slavonia. Its culture, events, beautiful nature, sports and lake attract more and more tourists every year.
The nearby Orahovica Lake offers various forms of recreation, especially during the warm season of the year. Fishing opportunities are offered on the nearby fishpond Grudnjak.
http://i39.tinypic.com/22j9de.jpg