View source for Osijek

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Osijek
| official_name      = ''Grad Osijek''<br /> City of Osijek
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities and towns in Croatia|City]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/2/3/2
| total_width = 275
| align = center
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Trg sv. Trojstva Osijek.jpg
| caption1 = [[Palace of Slavonian General Command]]
| image2 = Tvrđa pogled.jpg
| caption2 = [[Tvrđa]]
| image3 = Arheološki muzej Osijek.jpg
| caption3 = [[The City Guard in Osijek|The City Guard]]
| image4 = Saint Michael church in Osijek (3).jpg
| caption4 = [[Church of Saint Michael, Osijek|Saint Michael Church]]
| image5 = Zgrada Sekulić-Plavšić.jpg
| caption5 = [[European Avenue]]
| image6 = Konkatedrala sv. Petra i Pavla Osijek 1.jpg
| caption6 = [[Osijek Co-cathedral]]
| image8 = Pješački most Osijek.jpg
| caption8 = [[Pedestrian bridge (Osijek)|Pedestrian bridge]]
| image7 = Trg Ante Starčevića.jpg
| caption7 = [[Ante Starčević Square]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Osijek.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Osijek.svg
| nicknames          = ''Grad na Dravi'' (City on Drava), ''Nepokoreni grad'' (Unconquered City)
| pushpin_map        = Croatia
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Osijek in Croatia
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-wikidata  = yes
| mapframe-stroke-width = 1
| mapframe-zoom      = 9
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|33|20|N|18|41|40|E|region:HR|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{CRO}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Croatia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Slavonia]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Counties of Croatia|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{flag|Osijek-Baranja}}
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_party       = [[Croatian Democratic Union|HDZ]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Ivan Radić]]
| leader_title1      = City Council
| leader_name1       = {{Collapsible list
 |title   = 31 members
 |frame_style= border: none; padding: 0;
 |list_style=text-align:left;display:none;
 |1     =• {{Color box|{{party color|Croatian Democratic Union}}|border=darkgray}} [[Croatian Democratic Union|HDZ]], [[Anto Đapić|NL Ante Đapića]], [[Active Independent Pensioners|ANU]] (14)
 |2     =• {{Color box|{{party color|Homeland Movement (Croatia)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Homeland Movement (Croatia)|DP]], [[The Bridge (Croatia)|Most]] (6)
 |3     =• {{Color box|{{party color|Social Democratic Party of Croatia}}|border=darkgray}} [[Social Democratic Party of Croatia|SDP]] (6)
 |4     =• {{Color box|{{party color|We can! (Croatia)}}|border=darkgray}} [[We Can! (Croatia)|Možemo!]] (2)
 |5     =• {{Color box|{{party color|Strength of Slavonia and Baranja}}|border=darkgray}} [[Strength of Slavonia and Baranja|Snaga SiB]] (2) 
 |6     =• {{Color box|{{party color|Croatian People's Party - Liberal Democrats}}|border=darkgray}} [[Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats|HNS]], [[Croatian Peasant Party|HSS]], [[People's Party – Reformists|NS-R]] (1)
}}
| leader_title3      = [[Croatian Parliament electoral districts|Electoral district]]
| leader_name3       = [[Electoral district IV (Croatian Parliament)|IV]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite Q|Q119585703|mode=cs1}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 174.9
| area_urban_km2     = 59.1
| elevation_m        = 94
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2021">{{Croatian Census 2021|S}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_total   = 96313
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 75535
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Croatia|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 31000
| area_code          = 31
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Croatia|OS]]
| blank1_name        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info        = [[Oceanic climate|Cfb]]
| website            = {{URL|osijek.hr}}
}}
'''Osijek''' ({{IPA|hr|ôsijeːk|hr|hr-Osijek.ogg}}) is the largest city and the economic and cultural hub of the eastern Croatian region of [[Slavonia]], as well as the administrative seat of [[Osijek-Baranja County]]. It is the [[List of cities and towns in Croatia|fourth largest city]] in [[Croatia]], with a population of 96,313 recorded in the 2021 census.<ref name="census2011" /> The city is situated on the southern bank of the [[Drava]] River, 25 km (16 mi) upstream from its [[confluence]] with the [[Danube]], at an elevation of {{convert|94|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Osijek is located 16 km (10 mi) west of the [[Croatia–Serbia border dispute|Croatia–Serbia border]].

==Name==
Osijek's name originates from its location on elevated ground, which afforded protection from floods in the surrounding swamp areas. It derives from the [[Croatian language|Croatian]] word ''oseka'', meaning "ebb tide." Due to its history under the [[Habsburg monarchy]] and [[Ottoman Empire]], as well as its diverse ethnic minorities, the city is known by various names in other languages: {{langx|hu|Eszék|label=none}} in Hungarian, {{lang|de|Esseg}} in German, {{langx|tr|Ösek|label=none}} in Turkish,<ref name="Özgüven-2010">{{Cite journal |last=Özgüven |first=Burcu |year=2010 |title=A Convention Centre on the International Road: The Osijek Fair During the Ottoman Period [Uluslararasi Güzergah Üzerinde Bir Ticari Merkez: Osmanli Döneminde Ösek Panayiri] |url=https://alternatifpolitika.com/site/dosyalar/arsiv/4-Nisan-2010/1.burcu-ozguven.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Alternatif Politika |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=1–17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423013246/http://alternatifpolitika.com/site/dosyalar/arsiv/4-Nisan-2010/1.burcu-ozguven.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> and ''[[Mursa]]'' in Latin. The English name for the city is ''Osijek''.<ref>{{Cite dictionary |year=1879 |title=Mursa or Mursĭa |dictionary=A Latin Dictionary |publisher=Clarendon Press |location=Oxford, England |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3DMursa |last=Lewis |first=Charlton T. |pages=1178 |isbn=978-0-19-864201-5}}</ref>{{verify spelling|reason=This seems phonetically unlikely (where did the G come from?) and may be an editorial error for Eszek (the Hungarian name, which would have been natural to use for a city in the Kingdom of Hungary).  Can we get a second source?|date=July 2025}}

==History==
===Origins===
Human habitation in the Osijek area dates to the [[Neolithic]] period.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Obelić |first1=Bogomil |last2=Škrivanko |first2=Marija Krznarić |last3=Marijan |first3=Boško |last4=Bronić |first4=Ines Krajcar |year=2004 |title=Radiocarbon dating of Sopot culture sites (Late Neolithic) in eastern Croatia |url=https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/radiocarbon/article/download/4265/3690 |journal=Radiocarbon |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=245–258 |bibcode=2004Radcb..46..245O |doi=10.1017/S0033822200039564}}</ref> The first known inhabitants were the [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribe of the [[Andizetes]]. During the second half of the 4th century BCE, the settlement was attacked and subsequently captured by the [[Celts|Celtic]] [[Scordisci]], who established a permanent presence there.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dizdar |first=Marko |url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/64645407/2014_Gustin__David_eds._The_Clash_of_Cultures-libre.pdf?1602351158=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DGUSTIN_M_DAVID_W_eds_The_Clash_of_Cultur.pdf&Expires=1722528333&Signature=IdYqSsvRTn3LE7gPN3i-Wmk6k1Q4JtSuiCj5XbjL5VVP8-Ub-R1nkdk-WUp7NTq98n9ptZ8istFAx0Agp7t1ncXOYXioklvSNG0XZAtzWYywJ0zaDJ6NTTXy5tALN1weeQpUW0VETvKpiELhzqddN0~ClZEmODACWKvTX0MC6vUfl9ONE7Ezmc~SmkgqLNDudeq4cCwPUSjTLeR6o5bQ51CmCfYPScLfZxOnAuGawESyVwNXk8CD6Zq76v4un4SKbE3rZP4sDZqTSgPbLy6shyBCrkQ8jTG4SX37uucJJwRcnYXmvr6sZvrHqIkQBJQa2brAmP3lKUZ~nKl57sG~Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA#page=183 |title=The Clash of Cultures? The Celts and the Macedonian World |publisher=Kelten Römer Museums |year=2014 |isbn=978-3-9812891-8-3 |editor-last1=Guštin |editor-first1=Mitja |series=Schriften des kelten römer museums manching 9 |location=Manching |page=189–200, page 189 |chapter=Bronze belt from Osijek |editor-last2=David |editor-first2=Wolfgang}}</ref>

Following the Roman conquest of [[Pannonia (Roman province)|Pannonia]], the settlement—then known as [[Mursa]]—was garrisoned by the [[Legio VII Gemina|Roman Seventh Legion]]. The legion administered the area from a military [[castrum|''castrum'']] and built a bridge across the [[Drava River]]. Historical evidence suggests that Emperor [[Hadrian]] founded this settlement as a new foundation.<ref name="Leleković-2017">{{Cite book |last=Leleković |first=Tino |url=https://www.academia.edu/105457980 |title=Hadrianus MCM: Proceedings of the International Conference on the Occasion of the 1900th Anniversary of the Emperor Hadrian's Accession to the Throne |publisher=Budapest History Museum |year=2017 |isbn=978-615-5341-92-2 |editor-last=Láng |editor-first=Orsolya |location=Budapest |pages=83–98, page 84 |chapter=Hadrian and Mursa: The last colony |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He later elevated [[Mursa]] to a [[Roman colony|colony]] with special privileges in 133 CE. The subsequent history of Mursa was marked by turbulence, as several decisive battles were fought in its vicinity. These conflicts had profound consequences for the colony and the wider region, which was already strained due to the westward migration of various tribes—including the [[Alemanni]], [[Gepids]], [[Goths]], [[Marcomanni]], and [[Vandals]]—who were displaced by the invading [[Huns]]. After the [[Fall of the Western Roman Empire|collapse of the Western Roman Empire]] and the [[Avar Khaganate]]'s destruction of local tribes in the 6th century, the region was repopulated by [[List of early Slavic peoples|Slavic tribes]] during their [[Slavic migrations to the Balkans|mass migrating to Southeastern Europe]] in the [[Early Middle Ages]], between the 6th and 7th centuries.

The earliest recorded mention of Osijek dates to 1196.<ref name="Stallaerts2010">{{cite book |last=Stallaerts |first=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NSjRbIz4iDkC&pg=PA239 |title=Historical dictionary of Croatia |date=28 February 2010 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6750-5 |page=239 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> From 1353 to 1472, the town was a feudal possession of the Kórógyi family.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Middle Ages |url=http://www.osijek.hr/en/content/view/full/3373 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008174813/http://www.osijek.hr/en/content/view/full/3373 |archive-date=8 October 2013 |work=City of Osijek: History |publisher=City of Osijek}}</ref> Following the death of the last Kórógyi, King [[Matthias Corvinus]] transferred authority over Osijek to the [[Rozgonyi]] family. The city was subsequently sacked and nearly destroyed by an invading [[Army of the classical Ottoman Empire|Ottoman army]] on 8 August 1526, just prior to the [[Battle of Mohács]].<ref name="Stallaerts2010" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Setton |first=Kenneth Meyer |title=The Papacy and the Levant, 1204–1571 |publisher=American Philosophical Society |year=1976 |isbn=978-0-87169-161-3 |volume=3 |location= |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=EgQNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA249 249]}}</ref> A permanent Turkish garrison was established in 1529,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mažuran |first=Ive |year=1958 |title=Turska osvajanja u Slavoniji (1526–1552) |trans-title=Turkish conquests in Slavonia (1526–1552) |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/449628535/Ive-Ma%C5%BEuran-Turska-Osvajanja-u-Slavoniji |journal=Osječki zbornik |language=hr |volume=6 |pages=93–134, pages 114–115}}</ref> after which the [[Ottoman architecture|Ottoman rebuilt the city in an oriental style]]; it appears in the Ottoman census of 1579.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jelinic |first=Srecko |year=2002 |title=Popis Sandžaka Požega — 1579 |trans-title=Register of Sandzak Pozega from 1579 |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/pravnivjsk18&div=15&id=&page= |journal=Pravni Vjesnik |language=hr |volume=18 |pages=337–338}}</ref> In 1566, [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] commissioned an 8-kilometre-long, wooden pontoon bridge at Osijek, a structure renowned in its time as one of the wonders of the world.<ref name="DorlingZopp2011">{{cite book |last1=Dorling |first1=Kindersley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTFWUPUEo7YC&pg=PA189 |title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Croatia |last2=Zopp |first2=Leandro |date=6 June 2011 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Ltd |isbn=978-1-4053-6071-5 |page=189 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> Under [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] administration, Osijek was part of the [[Sanjak of Pojega]] within the [[Budin Province, Ottoman Empire|Budin Eyalet]] and grew into a significant commercial centre for East-West trade.<ref name="Özgüven-2010" />

Osijek was captured by Habsburg forces on 29 September 1687, following the [[Battle of Mohács (1687)|Second Battle of Mohács]]; this ended over 150 years of Ottoman rule over the city.<ref name="Osijek-history">{{cite web |year=2010 |title=Osijek after the Turks |url=http://www.osijek.hr/en/content/view/full/3374 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008174818/http://www.osijek.hr/en/content/view/full/3374 |archive-date=8 October 2013 |work=City of Osijek: History |publisher=City of Osijek}}</ref>[[File:Battle of Osijek in 1685 (Romeyn de Hooghe, 1687).png|thumb|left|Battle of Osijek, fought on 11 August 1685 between the [[Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Emperor|Imperial Habsburg army]], commanded by James, 2nd Count Leslie, and the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]], resulting in an Habsburg victory]]
[[File:Plan_of_Tvrdja_in_Osijek_1861.jpg|thumb|left|Plan of [[Tvrđa]] in Osijek 1861]]

[[File:Eszek.jpg|thumb|left|Osijek in the late 17th century]]
[[File:Bastion Osijek.jpg|thumb|left|Bastion in [[Tvrđa]]]]
[[File:Magyar Királyság, Eszék látképe, háttérben a Szent Péter és Pál székesegyház. Fortepan 86972.jpg|thumb|left|Osijek 1904]][[File:Bombardiranje 1.jpg|thumb|left|Bombing of Osijek 1944]]

===Habsburg Empire===
[[File:Osijek (29263092303).jpg|thumb|[[Ante Starčević Square]] with [[Osijek Co-cathedral]]]]
Following its integration into the [[Habsburg monarchy|Habsburg Empire]], Osijek underwent significant reconstruction.<ref name="Bousfield2003">{{cite book |last=Bousfield |first=Jonathan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxSnm-mUp40C&pg=PA126 |title=Rough guide to Croatia |date=July 2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-84353-084-8 |page=126 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> Between 1712 and 1715, Austrian authorities built a new fortress, known as [[Tvrđa]], in the town's center. Designed by Austrian architect [[Maximilian Gosseau de Henef]], it was completed with outer walls and all five of its planned bastions.<ref name="Oliver2005">{{cite book |last=Oliver |first=Jeanne |url=https://archive.org/details/croatia00jean_0 |title=Croatia |date=15 March 2005 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1-74059-487-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/croatia00jean_0/page/85 85] |access-date=15 October 2011 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The central Holy Trinity Square is framed by the [[Palace of Slavonian General Command|Military Command building]] to the north, the Main Guard building to the west, and the Magistrate building (now the [[Museum of Slavonia]]) to the east. At its center, a monument to the plague was erected in 1729 by the widow of [[Petrasch|General Maximilian Petras]].<ref name="OlsonOlson2006">{{cite book |last1=Olson |first1=Karen Tormé |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2v2ECnZpt9oC&pg=PA307 |title=Frommer's Croatia |last2=Olson |first2=Sanja Bazulic |date=14 April 2006 |publisher=Frommer's |isbn=978-0-7645-9898-2 |page=307 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

The Gornji Grad (Upper Town) was established in 1692, followed shortly by the Donji Grad (Lower Town) in 1698. These districts were primarily settled by inhabitants from the swampy [[Baranya (region)|Baranja]] region. Tvrđa, Gornji Grad, and Donji Grad operated as separate municipalities until 1786, when they were unified into a single administrative entity.<ref>Osijek-history</ref> In the late 18th century, Osijek superseded [[Virovitica]] as the seat of [[Virovitica County]]. During this period, the Habsburg Empire encouraged the migration and settlement of German immigrants into the town and surrounding region,<ref name="Kordic">{{cite book |last=Kordić |first=Snježana |author-link=Snježana Kordić |title=Prožimanje kultura i jezika |publisher=Hrvatsko društvo za primijenjenu lingvistiku |year=1991 |editor1-last=Andrijašević |editor1-first=Marin |location=Zagreb |page=89 |language=sh |chapter=Germanizmi u osječkom govoru danas |trans-chapter=Germanisms in modern Osijek speech |oclc=443222199 |ssrn=3434569 |id={{CROSBI|447532}} |access-date=20 September 2021 |editor2-last=Vrhovac |editor2-first=Yvonne |chapter-url=http://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/447532.GERMANIZMI_U_OSJECKOM_GOVORU.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418180852/http://bib.irb.hr/datoteka/447532.GERMANIZMI_U_OSJECKOM_GOVORU.PDF |archive-date=18 April 2022 |url-status=dead |s2cid=64774247}}</ref> which led to the development of a distinctive local German dialect known as ''Essekerisch''.<ref>[[Hans Gehl]]: ''Die deutschen Stadtsprachen in Temeswar und Esseg.'' In: Velimir Petrović (Hrsg.): ''Essekerisch: Das Osijeker Deutsch.'' Edition Praesens, Wien 2001, S.&nbsp;127–144.</ref><ref name="Kordic" />

In 1809, Osijek was granted the title of a [[Free Royal City]], and during the early 19th century, it was the largest city in Croatia.<ref name="DorlingZopp2011a">{{cite book |last1=Dorling |first1=Kindersley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTFWUPUEo7YC&pg=PA190 |title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Croatia |last2=Zopp |first2=Leandro |date=6 June 2011 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Ltd |isbn=978-1-4053-6071-5 |page=190 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> The city developed along the lines of other central European cities, with cultural, architectural, and socio-economic influences filtering down from [[Vienna]] and [[Buda]].<ref name="CulturalInfluence">{{cite journal |last1=Marković |first1=Mirko |date=2018 |title=The Hungarians in Osijek at the Turn of the Century (1895-1918) |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/325889 |journal=Papers from the 6th International Conference of the Society for the Study of the Hungarian History of Civilization |access-date=}}</ref> At the beginning of the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1848]], the town was initially held by Hungarian forces but was captured by the Austrians under General Baron Trebersberg on 4 February 1849.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Esseg|volume=9|page=778}}</ref>

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Osijek was the seat of the [[Virovitica County]]<ref name="EB1911"/> of the autonomous territory [[Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia]] in [[Austria-Hungary]].<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Croatia-Slavonia |volume=7 |page=471}}</ref>

During the 19th century, cultural life in Osijek flourished around its theatres, museums, collections, and printing houses, notably those run by the [[Franciscans]]. The first museum, the [[Museum of Slavonia]], was founded in 1877 through private donations.<ref name="Demo1994">{{cite book |last=Demo |first=Željko |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u3BpAAAAMAAJ |title=Ostrogothic coinage from collections in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina |publisher=Narodni Muzej |year=1994 |isbn=9788680651156 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> A prosperous economy and expanding trade relations fostered a vibrant society, characterized by religious festivals, public fairs, entertainment, and sporting events. This period of growth also saw significant urban expansion with the construction of the Novi Grad (New Town) district and the development of the Retfala area to the west.<ref name="Zlodi">{{cite journal |last1=Zlodi |first1=Goran |date=2009 |title=The Museum of Fine Arts in Osijek: From a Idea to the New Museum Building |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/325889 |journal=Informatica Museologica |access-date=}}</ref>

===Twentieth century===

The city expanded in the 20th century with the development of new residential districts, including Sjenjak, Vijenac, [[Ivan Meštrović|Ivana Meštrovića]], [[Novi grad, Osijek|Novi Grad]], and [[Jug II]]. Osijek's riverside setting and its cultural and historical heritage, most notably the [[Baroque]] citadel of Tvrđa—one of the most distinctive architectural complexes in the region—have been significant factors in the growth of its tourism sector. Separately, during [[World War II]], the Osijek oil refinery was a target for Allied bombing raids as part of the broader [[Oil Campaign of World War II|Oil Campaign]].<ref name="Raiford2004">{{cite book |last=Raiford |first=Neil Hunter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V6nuRQp1LzQC&pg=PA181 |title=Shadow: a Cottontail bomber crew in World War II |date=October 2004 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-1906-7 |page=181 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

In the aftermath of the war, the local German-speaking population [[Germans of Yugoslavia|was expelled]].<ref name="GermanExpulsion">{{cite book |last1=Geiger |first1=Vladimir |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/325889 |title=The Expulsion of the Germans from Yugoslavia |date=2011 |publisher=University of Zagreb |isbn=978-953-270-034-3 |access-date=}}</ref> The daily newspaper [[Glas Slavonije|''Glas Slavonije'']] was relocated to Osijek, where it has been published ever since.<ref name="GlasSlavonije">{{cite web |title=About Glas Slavonije |url=https://www.glas-slavonije.hr/ |access-date= |website=Glas Slavonije |publisher=Glas Slavonije d.d.}}</ref> The post-war period saw the establishment of several key institutions: the city's historical archive was founded in 1947, followed by the city library (GISKO) in 1949. This cultural expansion continued with the opening of a [[children's theatre]] and an [[art gallery]]. For public safety, the [[volunteer fire department]] DVD "Hrvatska Elektroprivreda" was founded in 1950, operating separately from the DVD "Vodovod" which had been established in 1947.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jagodin |first1=Nikola |last2=Runjić |first2=Vedran |date=2022 |title=Popis vatrogasnih organizacija s datumima osnivanja |trans-title=List of Firefighting Organisations with Date of Founding |url=https://mhv.hr/popis-vatrogasnih-organizacija-s-datumima-osnivanja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130104803/https://mhv.hr/popis-vatrogasnih-organizacija-s-datumima-osnivanja |archive-date=2023-01-30 |website=Muzej hrvatskog vatrogastva |language=hr}}</ref> Continuing the tradition of promoting national heritage, especially in music and arts, the tamburitza band "[[Pajo Kolarić]]" was founded on 21 March 1954.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOTO/VIDEO Tamburaški sastav Pajo Kolarić na 'Spli'skim litnjim kolurima' |url=https://dalmatinskiportal.hr/zivot/foto-tamburaski-sastav-pajo-kolaric-na--spli-skim-litnjim-kolurima-/245611 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Dalmatinski portal |language=hr}}</ref>

Osijek's modern infrastructure began to develop significantly in the late 1950s and 1960s. In 1958, it was connected to [[Zagreb]] and [[Belgrade]] by a modern paved road, and a new bridge over the Drava River was constructed to the north in 1962. This period also saw the foundation of higher education in the city. The first faculty was the Faculty of Economy (established in 1959 as a study centre of the University of Zagreb)<ref>{{cite web |title=Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku &#124; EFOS – Povijest fakulteta |url=http://www.efos.hr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=152 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Efos.hr}}</ref>, which was immediately followed by schools that would become the Faculty of Agriculture<ref>{{cite web |title=Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku |url=http://www.pfos.hr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=19 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Pfos.hr}}</ref> and the Faculty of Philosophy. The founding of the Faculty of Law in 1975<ref>{{cite web |date=26 November 2007 |title=Faculty of Law in Osijek – Content |url=http://www.pravos.hr/english/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721101754/http://www.pravos.hr/english/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Pravos.hr}}</ref> marked a key milestone, as it became a charter member of the newly established [[University of Osijek]].

Concurrently, Osijek solidified its role as a regional centre for food and agriculture, exemplified by the establishment of a major agricultural collective in 1962. Further enhancing city life, a new pedestrian [[suspension bridge]] was built over the [[Drava River]] in the 1980s.

====Croatian War of Independence====
{{main|Battle of Osijek}}
[[File:TrgJug2Osijek.JPG|thumb|left|[[Croatian War of Independence|War of Independence]] memorial]]
[[File:Osijek - panoramio (13).jpg|thumb|right|''[[Red Fićo]]'' installation]]
During the [[Croatian War of Independence]] (1991–1995), Osijek sustained extensive damage from prolonged shelling by the [[Yugoslav People's Army]] (JNA) and [[List of Serbian paramilitary formations|Serbian paramilitary units]], notably the [[Serb Volunteer Guard]] under [[Arkan|Željko Ražnatović]]. The city centre, including the [[Osijek Co-cathedral|Co-cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul]],<ref>[http://www.svpetaripavao.hr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=9 Župna crkva Sv. Petra i Pavla Apostola u Osijeku]</ref> and outlying areas were heavily damaged. From August 1991 to June 1992 alone, approximately 800 people were killed by the shelling.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jegen |first=Mary Evelyn |title=Sign of Hope: the Centre for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights in Osijek |publisher=Life & Peace Institute |year=1996 |isbn=978-91-87748-34-9 |location=Uppsala, Sweden |page=14}}</ref> Overall, the war claimed the lives of 1,724 residents of Osijek, including 1,327 soldiers and 397 civilians.<ref>{{cite web |last=Amoreta |first=Bajto |date=28 June 2012 |title=Dan osječkih branitelja: "Opća opasnost" večeras |url=http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=ispis&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=171136&cHash=b345b2a205 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130114424/http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=ispis&tx_ttnews%255Btt_news%255D=171136&cHash=b345b2a205 |archive-date=30 November 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013 |publisher=HRT |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Separately, several Croatian officials, including General [[Branimir Glavaš]], were subsequently convicted of war crimes against Serb civilians in the city.<ref>[http://www.seebiz.eu/hr/politika/branimir-glavas-osuden-na-deset-godina-zatvora-(2),44769.html&#93 ''Former war mayor Branimir Glavas is sentenced on 9 years of jail and he is war criminal fugitive now. Osječka Hvidra osudila uhićenje svojih članova'']{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, seebiz.eu; accessed 20 January 2016. {{in lang|hr}}</ref>

== Climate ==
Osijek has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'').

Since records began in 1981, the highest temperature recorded at the airport at an elevation of {{convert|88|m|ft}} was {{convert|40.6|C|F}}, on 24 July 2007. The coldest temperature was {{convert|-26.2|C|F}}, on 9 February 2012.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-21 |author=DHMZ |title=Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja |url=https://meteo.hr/objave_najave_natjecaji.php?section=onn&param=objave&el=priopcenja&daj=najnize_temperature_zraka |website=Državni hidrometeorološki zavod}}</ref> The highest temperature recorded in Osijek itself, where records began in 1899, was {{convert|40.3|C|F}}, on both 1 July 1950 and 24 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-07-19 |author=DHMZ |title=Najviše izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja |url=https://meteo.hr/objave_najave_natjecaji.php?section=onn&param=objave&el=priopcenja&daj=najvise_temperature_zraka |website=Državni hidrometeorološki zavod}}</ref> The coldest temperature was {{convert|-27.1|C|F}}, on 31 January 1987.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-21 |author=DHMZ |title=Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja |url=https://meteo.hr/objave_najave_natjecaji.php?section=onn&param=objave&el=priopcenja&daj=najnize_temperature_zraka |website=Državni hidrometeorološki zavod}}</ref> From 1981 to 1991, the lowest temperature at the RC Čepin station was {{convert|-27.4|C|F}}, on 31 January 1987.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-21 |author=DHMZ |title=Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja |url=https://meteo.hr/objave_najave_natjecaji.php?section=onn&param=objave&el=priopcenja&daj=najnize_temperature_zraka |website=Državni hidrometeorološki zavod}}</ref> Since records began in 2011, the coldest temperature at the Tvrđavica station was {{convert|-25.6|C|F}}, on 9 February 2012.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-21 |author=DHMZ |title=Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja |url=https://meteo.hr/objave_najave_natjecaji.php?section=onn&param=objave&el=priopcenja&daj=najnize_temperature_zraka |website=Državni hidrometeorološki zavod}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location     = Osijek (1971–2000, extremes 1899–2014)
| metric first = Y
| single line  = Y
|Jan record high C = 19.0
|Feb record high C = 23.0
|Mar record high C = 26.9
|Apr record high C = 30.9
|May record high C = 36.0
|Jun record high C = 39.6
|Jul record high C = 40.3
|Aug record high C = 40.3
|Sep record high C = 37.1
|Oct record high C = 30.5
|Nov record high C = 25.8
|Dec record high C = 21.3
|year record high C = 40.3
| Jan high C = 3.3
| Feb high C = 6.5
| Mar high C = 12.3
| Apr high C = 17.2
| May high C = 22.6
| Jun high C = 25.6
| Jul high C = 27.6
| Aug high C = 27.5
| Sep high C = 23.4
| Oct high C = 17.4
| Nov high C = 9.4
| Dec high C = 4.7
|year high C = 16.5
|Jan mean C = −0.2
|Feb mean C = 1.8
|Mar mean C = 6.4
|Apr mean C = 11.2
|May mean C = 16.7
|Jun mean C = 19.7
|Jul mean C = 21.3
|Aug mean C = 20.8
|Sep mean C = 16.5
|Oct mean C = 11.0
|Nov mean C = 5.1
|Dec mean C = 1.2
|year mean C = 11.0
| Jan low C = -3.3
| Feb low C = -2.1
| Mar low C = 1.3
| Apr low C = 5.5
| May low C = 10.5
| Jun low C = 13.6
| Jul low C = 14.8
| Aug low C = 14.5
| Sep low C = 10.8
| Oct low C = 6.1
| Nov low C = 1.6
| Dec low C = -1.7
|year low C = 6.0
|Jan record low C = −27.1
|Feb record low C = −26.4
|Mar record low C = −21.0
|Apr record low C = −6.8
|May record low C = −3.0
|Jun record low C = 1.0
|Jul record low C = 4.7
|Aug record low C = 5.1
|Sep record low C = -1.2
|Oct record low C = −8.6
|Nov record low C = −15.7
|Dec record low C = −23.2
|year record low C = −27.1
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 41.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 35.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 40.5
| Apr precipitation mm = 51.0
| May precipitation mm = 59.2
| Jun precipitation mm = 82.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 65.4
| Aug precipitation mm = 61.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 51.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 56.6
| Nov precipitation mm = 61.7
| Dec precipitation mm = 49.1
|year precipitation mm = 654.9
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 11.3
| Feb precipitation days = 10.6
| Mar precipitation days = 11.2
| Apr precipitation days = 13.0
| May precipitation days = 13.3
| Jun precipitation days = 13.4
| Jul precipitation days = 10.6
| Aug precipitation days = 9.9
| Sep precipitation days = 9.4
| Oct precipitation days = 10.5
| Nov precipitation days = 11.7
| Dec precipitation days = 12.3
|year precipitation days = 137.2
|unit snow days = 1.0&nbsp;cm
|Jan snow days = 10.3
|Feb snow days = 7.8
|Mar snow days = 2.1
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 2.2
|Dec snow days = 6.5
|year snow days = 28.9
|Jan humidity = 87.5
|Feb humidity = 81.9
|Mar humidity = 74.1
|Apr humidity = 71.3
|May humidity = 70.1
|Jun humidity = 70.9
|Jul humidity = 69.6
|Aug humidity = 71.8
|Sep humidity = 76.2
|Oct humidity = 79.2
|Nov humidity = 86.1
|Dec humidity = 88.5
|year humidity = 77.3
|Jan sun = 58.9
|Feb sun = 96.1
|Mar sun = 145.7
|Apr sun = 171.0
|May sun = 217.0
|Jun sun = 231.0
|Jul sun = 260.4
|Aug sun = 251.1
|Sep sun = 189.0
|Oct sun = 142.6
|Nov sun = 69.0
|Dec sun = 55.8
|year sun = 1887.6
|Jan percentsun = 20
|Feb percentsun = 34
|Mar percentsun = 42
|Apr percentsun = 45
|May percentsun = 52
|Jun percentsun = 55
|Jul percentsun = 60
|Aug percentsun = 61
|Sep percentsun = 53
|Oct percentsun = 44
|Nov percentsun = 25
|Dec percentsun = 21
|year percentsun = 45
| source 1 = [[Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service]]<ref name=normals>{{cite web|url=http://klima.hr/k1/k1_2/osijek.pdf|title=Osijek Climate Normals|access-date=2 December 2015|publisher=Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service}}</ref><ref name=monthlyvalues>{{cite web|url=http://klima.hr/klima.php?id=k1&param=srednjak&Grad=osijek|title=Mjesečne vrijednosti za Osijek u razdoblju1899−2014|language=hr|access-date=3 December 2015|publisher=Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service}}</ref> 
}}

==Population==
{{Historical populations
| title   = Historical population<br /> of Osijek
| shading = off
| source  = Naselja i stanovništvo Republike Hrvatske 1857–2001, DZS, Zagreb, 2005
|1880 |25260
|1890 |27801
|1900 |33407
|1910 |40106
|1921 |42930
|1931 |51871
|1948 |58046
|1953 |66073
|1961 |84652
|1971 |109189
|1981 |123944
|1991 |129792
|2001 |114616
|2011 |108048
|2021 |96848
}}
[[File:Osijek-Tvrdja DSC 0144 999.jpg|thumb|left|Osijek Old Town, [[Tvrđa]]]]
[[File:St. Michael's Church, Osijek.jpg|thumb|left|[[Church of Saint Michael, Osijek|Church of Saint Michael]]]]
[[File:Sjenjak Osijek.jpg|thumb|The modern urban settlement of Sjenjak]]  
[[File:Osijek mirno naselje.jpg|thumb|Suburban houses]]
According to the 1910 census, the city of Osijek had 31,388 inhabitants. The official Austrian census lists 12,625 as [[Croats]], 11,269 as [[Germans]] or [[Danube Swabians]], 3,729 as [[Hungarians]], 2,889 as [[Serbs]], and 876 others. When categorised by religion, there were 24,976 [[Roman Catholics]], 2,943 [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]], 2,340 [[Jews]], 594 Reformed (Calvinists), 385 [[Evangelicals]], 122 [[Greek Catholics]], and 28 others.<ref>László Zentai and Pál Kósa (eds.) [http://www.talmakiado.hu/ Talma Kiadó Atlas and Gazetteer of Historic Hungary 1914] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114044438/http://www.talmakiado.hu/ |date=14 January 2017 }}, Talma Kiadó, 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.omm1910.hu/?/de/datenbank Statisztikai közlemények, 42. kötet (új sorozat), Budapest, 1912] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529164005/http://www.omm1910.hu/?%2Fde%2Fdatenbank |date=29 May 2013 }}</ref> After [[World War II]], a significant part of the [[Danube Swabians|Danube Swabian]] population was forcibly expelled by the [[League of Communists of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav communist authorities]] as a form of revenge for their presumed participation in the [[World War II in Yugoslavia|German occupation of Yugoslavia]]. Their property was first confiscated, then nationalized, and, afterwards, redistributed to World War II victims.

According to the 1981 census, the total population of the city had reached 104,775, including 63,373 (60.48%) Croats, 13,716 (13.09%) [[Serbs]], and 1,521 (1.45%) [[Hungarians]].<ref>Stanovništvo prema nacionalnom sastavu i tipu naselja, popis 1981.</ref>

Prior to the Croatian War of Independence, the 1991 census recorded a total population of 165,253, composed of 110,934 (67.1%) Croats, 33,146 (20.0%) Serbs, 3,156 (1.9%) [[Hungarians]], 276 (0.16%) [[Germans]], and 17,741 (10.7%) people categorized as Yugoslavs or "others."<ref>Popis stanovništva 1991, Republički zavod za statistiku – Zagreb</ref>

According to the census of 2001, the total population of Osijek dropped to 114,616. Croats made up the majority of Osijek's citizens, comprising 86.58% of the city's population. Other ethnicities include 8,767 (7.65%) Serbs, 1,154 (1.01%) Hungarians, 480 (0.42%) [[Albanians]], 211 (0.18%) [[Bosniaks]], 175 (0.15%) [[Montenegrins (ethnic group)|Montenegrins]], 178 (0.16%) [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|ethnic Macedonians]], 124 (0.11%) [[Romani people|Romani]], and others, including 24 Jews.<ref name="Census 2001 ethnicity">{{Croatian Census 2001|E|14|access-date = 13 January 2008}}</ref>

Osijek's population in 2001 included 96,600 (84.28%) [[Roman Catholics]], 78 (0.07%) [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches|Eastern-rite Catholics]], 8,619 (7.52%) [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox Christians]], and 966 (0.84%) [[Muslims]] and others.<ref name="Census 2001 religion">{{Croatian Census 2001|R|14|access-date = 13 January 2008}}</ref>

In the census of 2011, the following [[Settlement (Croatia)|settlements]] were recorded:<ref name="census2011">{{Croatian Census 2011|S|14|3123}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Brijest]], population 1,187
* [[Briješće]], population 1,318
* [[Josipovac]], population 4,101
* [[Klisa, Osijek-Baranja County|Klisa]], population 324
* [[Nemetin]], population 139
* '''Osijek''', population 84,104
* [[Podravlje]], population 357
* [[Sarvaš]], population 1,884
* [[Tenja]], population 7,376
* [[Tvrđavica]], population 578
* [[Višnjevac, Osijek-Baranja County|Višnjevac]], population 6,680
{{div col end}}

{{Croatian population data graph |popisi=HRV |upisano=2022-06-04 |područje=City of Osijek |p1857=20858 |p1869=24863 |p1880=25260 |p1890=27801 |p1900=33407 |p1910=40106 |p1921=42930 |p1931=51871 |p1948=58063 |p1953=66073 |p1961=84652 |p1971=109189 |p1981=123944 |p1991=129792 |p2001=114616 |p2011=108048 |p2021=96313}}

The city's population is divided into the following units of local administration:<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.osijek.hr/mjesna-samouprava/mjesni-odbori-i-gradske-cetvrti/ | language = hr | title = Mjesni odbori i gradske četvrti | publisher = City of Osijek | access-date = 8 October 2024 }}</ref>
* Local board ({{lang|hr|mjesni odbor}}):
** [[Josipovac]]
** [[Višnjevac, Osijek-Baranja County|Višnjevac]]
** [[Cvjetno]]
** [[Brijest]]
** [[Osijek lijeva obala]]
** [[Tenja]]
** [[Klisa, Osijek-Baranja County|Klisa]]
** [[Sarvaš]]
[[File:Saponia.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Saponia]]'' chemical industry is the largest factory in the Osijek area.]]
* City neighbourhood ({{lang|hr|gradska četvrt}}):
** [[Retfala]]
** [[Gornji grad, Osijek|Gornji grad]]
** [[Industrijska četvrt]]
** [[Tvrđa]]
** [[Novi grad, Osijek|Novi grad]]
** [[Jug II]]
** [[Donji grad, Osijek|Donji grad]]

==Institutions and industries==
[[File:Neboder_Eurodom_Osijek.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eurodom Osijek]]]]
[[File:Portanova panorama.jpg|thumb|right|[[Portanova (Osijek)|Portanova Shopping Centre]]]]
Osijek serves as a major centre for institutions and industries. It hosts the [[Josip Juraj Strossmayer]] [[University of Osijek]] (established in 1975), the [[Croatian National Theatre in Osijek|Croatian National Theatre]], the Museum of Slavonia (founded in 1877), and a [[printing house]] operating since 1735. The city's educational and scientific infrastructure includes several [[gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]], the oldest of which dates to 1729, a 19th-century drawing school, and a [[zoo|zoological garden]]. Furthermore, Osijek houses institutes focused on agricultural development, including a centre for livestock breeding and an institute for [[sugar beet]] research.<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Osijek - Faculty of Agriculture |url=https://www.fazos.hr/ |access-date= |website=Faculty of Agriculture Osijek |publisher=University of Osijek}}</ref>

The ''Saponia'' chemical factory is the largest industrial plant in the Osijek area and a major regional producer of detergents, soaps, and cosmetics. It serves as the city's primary exporter. Other significant industries include the regional Pivovara Osijek brewery,<ref name="Sharma1997">{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Soumitra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mt5qCckuwd0C&pg=PA144 |title=Restructuring Eastern Europe: the microeconomics of the transition process |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-85898-576-3 |page=144 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> known for producing the first beer in Croatia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://pivovara.hr/kontakt/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Osječka pivovara |language=en-US}}</ref> a sugar processing plant, and the [[Kandit]] candy factory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distribution Centers - Croatia |url=https://www.kandit.hr/en/distribution-centers/distribution-centers-croatia/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Kandit}}</ref> The Niveta brush factory, originally founded as "Siva" in 1922, also continues to operate in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niveta, Osijek {{!}} Distribution |url=https://www.niveta.hr/english/distribution.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.niveta.hr}}</ref>

The Osijek area was formerly more industrialized, supporting the manufacture of a wide variety of goods. One of the earliest such enterprises was the ''Drava'' [[match]] factory, established in 1856, which is now defunct.<ref name="Jugoslavije1985">{{cite book |author=Yugoslavia. Komisija za Ekonomsku Historiju Jugoslavije |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F-TsAAAAMAAJ |title=Acta historico-oeconomica Iugoslaviae: časopis za ekonomsku povijest Jugoslavije |date=1 January 1985 |publisher=Komisija za ekonomsku historiju Jugoslavije |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

Other significant industries included the manufacture of synthetic materials, agricultural machinery, metal furniture, textiles, footwear, silk, and wood and timber products, in addition to metal processing and printing. However, the 1990s saw most of these sectors experience a severe decline, with many enterprises closing completely. Despite this industrial transition, Osijek continues to serve as the central hub for an important agricultural region.<ref name="Disappearance">{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=8 February 2022 |title=Disappearance and Sustainability of Historical Industrial Areas in Osijek (Croatia): Three Case Studies |journal=Sustainability |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=196 |doi=10.3390/su12010196|doi-access= free}}</ref>

==Politics==
[[File:Županijsko poglavarstvo Osijek 2.jpg|thumb|left| Normann Palace, today seat of the government of the [[Osijek-Baranja County]]]]
[[File:Općinski i županijski sud Osijek.jpg|thumb|left| Osijek Municipal and County Court]]

In the November 2007 elections, no party held a majority, which is customary for Croatia, as local elections have [[proportional representation]]. However, the three mathematically possible coalitions faced political issues that made coalition-building difficult. The November elections were early elections caused by the breakdown of the coalition of the two main parties, the [[Croatian Party of Rights]] (HSP) and the [[Croatian Democratic Assembly of Slavonia and Baranja]] (HDSSB). The cause of the breakdown was disagreement over the building of a new sports stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vijesti.hrt.hr/content/view/42334/10/ |title=Šutnja u Osijeku |access-date=10 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309002312/http://vijesti.hrt.hr/content/view/42334/10/ |archive-date=9 March 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=Newelections>{{cite news|url=http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/novosti_i_najave/2008/sijecanj/vlada_izbori_u_osijeku_9_ozujka|title=Government calls early elections in Osijek for 9 March|publisher=Government of the Republic of Croatia|date=24 January 2008|access-date=10 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213114408/http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/novosti_i_najave/2008/sijecanj/vlada_izbori_u_osijeku_9_ozujka|archive-date=13 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

At the elections held on 25 November 2007, the HSP and the HDSSB gained seven seats each, the [[Social Democratic Party of Croatia|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP) six seats, the [[Croatian Democratic Union]] (HDZ) four, and the [[Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats]] (HNS) one.<ref name=HRT>[http://vijesti.hrt.hr/ShowArticles.aspx?ArticleId=38288 Osijek: Pokušaj riješavanja krize] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016081100/https://vijesti.hrt.hr/ShowArticles.aspx?ArticleId=38288 |date=16 October 2021 }}, Hrvatska radiotelevizija, 26 December 2007; accessed 13 January 2008</ref>

A possible coalition between HDSSB and SDP provoked criticism of the Social Democrats for lack of principle, including from [[Damir Kajin]], who called it a "sellotape coalition," alluding to the charges of war crimes that the HDSSB leader [[Branimir Glavaš]] is facing.<ref>[http://izbori.hrt.hr/content/view/2299/29/ IDS osuđuje trgovinu Vlade i Osijeka]{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Hrvatska radiotelevizija, 21 December 2007; accessed 13 January 2008</ref> After the parties failed to agree on a coalition, the Croatian government called new elections for the city.<ref name=Newelections/> These elections took place on 9 March 2008 and gave the HSP nine councilors, the HDSSB six, HDZ five, SDP three and a coalition of HNS and two smaller parties two. [[Anto Đapić]] has expressed his hope for a coalition with the HDZ.<ref>[http://vijesti.hrt.hr/content/view/42374/10/ HSP najjači u Osijeku] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311131310/http://vijesti.hrt.hr/content/view/42374/10/ |date=11 March 2008 }}, vijesti.hrt.hr; accessed 20 January 2016.{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

===Minority councils===
Directly elected minority councils and representatives are tasked with consulting tasks for the local or regional authorities in which they are advocating for minority rights and interests, integration into public life and participation in the management of local affairs.<ref name="T-Portal">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tportal.hr/vijesti/clanak/manjinski-izbori-prve-nedjelje-u-svibnju-krecu-i-edukacije-20230313 |title=Manjinski izbori prve nedjelje u svibnju, kreću i edukacije |date= 13 March 2023 |author= |publisher=[[T-portal]] |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> At the [[2023 Croatian national minorities councils and representatives elections]] [[Albanians of Croatia|Albanians]], [[Hungarians of Croatia|Hungarians]], [[Germans of Croatia|Germans]], [[Slovaks of Croatia|Slovaks]] and [[Serbs of Croatia]] each fulfilled legal requirements to elect 15 members minority councils for the City of Osijek while [[Bosniaks of Croatia|Bosniaks]], [[Macedonians of Croatia|Macedonians]], [[Montenegrins of Croatia]] elected individual representatives.<ref name="OBŽ-Manjine-2023">{{cite web | url=https://www.izbori.hr/site/UserDocsImages/2023/Manjinski%20izbori%202023/Rezultati/Z14_OSJECKO_BARANJSKA_ZUPANIJA.pdf | title=Informacija o konačnim rezultatima izbora članova vijeća i izbora predstavnika nacionalnih manjina 2023. XIV. OSJEČKO-BARANJSKA ŽUPANIJA | date=2023 | author= | publisher=Državno izborno povjerenstvo Republike Hrvatske | pages=15–18 | language=hr | access-date=3 June 2023 | archive-date=3 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603101819/https://www.izbori.hr/site/UserDocsImages/2023/Manjinski%20izbori%202023/Rezultati/Z14_OSJECKO_BARANJSKA_ZUPANIJA.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Society and culture==
[[File:Europska avenija Osijek 1.jpg|thumb|[[European Avenue]]]]
[[File:Interijer HNK Osijek.jpg|thumb|[[Croatian National Theatre, Osijek]]]]

===Cultural events===
Numerous cultural events take place in Osijek throughout the year. The long-running International Festival of [[Tamburica|Tambura]] Music (''Međunarodni festival umjetničke tamburaške glazbe'') is held annually in late spring and draws tambura ensembles from across Croatia and the region.<ref name="tambura">Hrvatsko narodno kazalište Osijek / Hrvatski tamburaški savez — information on Međunarodni festival umjetničke tamburaške glazbe. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://hnk-osijek.hr/show/45-medunarodni-festival-umjetnicke-tamburaske-glazbe/</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=International Festival of Tambura Music Osijek |url=https://www.osijek.hr/ |access-date= |website=osijek.hr |publisher=City of Osijek}}</ref> During the summer months, the city hosts "Osijek Summer Nights" (''Osječke ljetne večeri''), a series of open-air cultural and entertainment events held on streets and promenades from June to August.<ref>{{cite web |title=Osijek Summer Nights |url=https://www.tzosijek.hr/ |access-date= |website=tzosijek.hr |publisher=Osijek Tourist Board}}</ref><ref name="summer-nights">Turistička zajednica Grada Osijeka (TZ Osijek), "Osijek Summer Nights" event listing / programme. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://www.tzosijek.hr/stranica.php?id=1212</ref> The '''Day of the City of Osijek''' (''Dan grada Osijeka''), celebrated on 2 December, is marked by cultural and artistic programmes and public events.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Osijek Day |url=https://www.osijek.hr/ |access-date= |website=osijek.hr |publisher=City of Osijek}}</ref><ref name="city-day">Total Croatia News / TZ Grad Osijek coverage of Osijek City Day (Dan grada Osijeka) and Advent/Kaleidoscope events. Accessed 29 October 2025. https://total-croatia-news.com/news/travel/osijek-city-day-advent-2021/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PHOTOS: SPECTACULAR KALEIDOSCOPE LIGHTS OF OSIJEK CITY DAY AND ADVENT 2021 |date=2 December 2021 |url=https://total-croatia-news.com/news/travel/osijek-city-day-advent-2021/}}</ref>

The surrounding area, particularly the [[Kopački Rit]] nature park in [[Baranja region|Baranja]], provides opportunities for guided boat tours, [[angling]], and regulated hunting in designated zones, making it a popular destination for nature tourism and recreational fishing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Kopački Rit |url=https://www.kopacki-rit.com/ |access-date= |website=Kopački Rit Nature Park |publisher=Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas in the Osijek-Baranja County}}</ref><ref name="kopacki2">Park prirode Kopački rit — official site / park overview (Kopački Rit Nature Park). Accessed 29 October 2025. http://pp-kopacki-rit.hr/</ref>

===Cuisine===
The richness of local game and agricultural production has contributed to Osijek's reputation as a centre of Croatian gastronomy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKie |first1=Robin |title=Osijek: Croatia's gastronomic capital |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/osijek-croatia-gastronomic-capital |access-date= |website=National Geographic}}</ref> Local dishes include traditional Slavonian-style specialities such as ''[[kulen]]'' (paprika-flavoured sausage), various other sausages, [[ham (meat)|ham]], [[bacon]], and [[Dairy product|dairy products]]. Other notable dishes are [[Knödel |boiled dumplings]], [[venison]], ''[[čobanac]]'' (a spicy stew), and fish dishes such as ''[[fiš paprikaš]]'' (a [[paprika]]-based fish stew). The city's two locally brewed beer brands are Osječko and Esseker.<ref name="kulen-beer">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-05-03 |title=Osijek's Craft Beer Tour, Where Croatian Beer Culture Began |url=https://total-croatia-news.com/news/travel/osijek-s-craft-beer-tour-where-croatian-beer-culture-began/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=Total Croatia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="kulen-beer22">{{Cite web |date=2011-01-22 |title=Osječko pivo (Beer of Osijek) {{!}} Bruketa&Žinić&Grey – full service advertising agency |url=https://bruketa-zinic.com/2011/01/22/osjecko-pivo-beer-of-osijek/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Sport and recreation===
[[File:Opus Arena Osijek 2025.jpg|thumb|left|[[Opus Arena]]|260x260px]]
[[File:Dvorana Gradski Vrt Osijek.jpg|thumb|left|[[Gradski vrt Hall]]|260x260px]]
The Gradski vrt sports complex features the Gradski vrt Hall (''Dvorana Gradski vrt''), a multi-purpose arena built for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship which has since hosted major events like the 2017 Davis Cup tie between Croatia and Spain.<ref name="gradski-vrt4">{{Cite web |title=Gradski vrt Sports Hall |url=https://www.eventim.hr/en/city/osijek-5994/venue/gradski-vrt-sports-hall-92296/}}</ref> The city annually hosts the Pannonian Challenge, an internationally recognized extreme sports festival for skateboarding, BMX, and inline skating.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pannonian Challenge: The Story of the Festival |url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/58072-pannonian-challenge |access-date= |website=Total Croatia News }}</ref><ref name="pannonian4">{{Cite web |title=PC XXVI – Pannonian Challenge 2025 |url=https://pannonian.hr/?lang=en |access-date=2025-11-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> The new Opus Arena, the home stadium of [[NK Osijek]] with a capacity of 13,005, was officially opened on 22 July 2023.<ref name="opus-arena4">{{Cite web |title=Opus Arena – StadiumDB.com |url=https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/cro/stadion_pampas |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=stadiumdb.com}}</ref>

The Copacabana recreational and sports centre, opened in 1980 on the left bank of the [[Drava River]], provides facilities for various water sports during the summer months, including outdoor [[swimming pools]] and a [[Sandy Beach|sandy beach]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Copacabana Beach |url=https://www.visitosijek.hr/en/copacabana |access-date= |website=Osijek Tourist Board |publisher=Official Tourist Board}}</ref><ref name="copacabana2">{{Cite journal |title=Osijek's shows its arty side: culture galore, more than ever before! |url=https://croatia4travel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/osijek.pdf |journal=Osijek in Your Pocket}}</ref> The city maintains numerous outdoor playgrounds and courts for [[association football|football]], [[team handball|handball]], [[basketball]], and [[tennis]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports Facilities |url=https://www.osijek.hr |access-date= |website=City of Osijek |publisher=Official City Website}}</ref><ref name="sport-rec-osijek2">{{Cite web |title=Sport and recreation |url=https://www.medberatung.com/living-in-osijek-1/blog-post-title-one-es69d |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=Medberatung |language=en-US}}</ref> [[NK Osijek]] is the city's primary football club, competing in the [[Croatian First Football League|First League]]. The team's organized supporters are known as the ''Kohorta Osijek''.<ref>{{cite web |title=NK Osijek |url=https://nk-osijek.hr/ |access-date= |website=NK Osijek Official}}</ref><ref name="kohorta2">NK Osijek official website. “Kohorta – navijačka skupina NK Osijek.” Accessed 29 October 2025. https://nk-osijek.hr/klub/identitet/kohorta/</ref> Before the [[Second World War]], the city's most successful club was [[Slavija Osijek]], which was dissolved in 1941.<ref name="slavija2">{{Cite web |title=Osijek |url=https://cavac.at/cavacopedia/Osijek}}</ref>

A [[motorcycle speedway]] stadium was formerly located in the City Garden (Gradski vrt) area, on its north side. The Gradski stadion opened in October 1953 and closed in September 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=For many of us, a big dream has come true |url=https://www.glas-slavonije.hr/275913/9/Mnogima-se-od-nas-ispunio-veliki-san |access-date=13 January 2024 |website=Glas Slavonije}}</ref> During its operation, it hosted a qualifying round of the [[Speedway World Championship]] in 1955, 1979, and 1982,<ref>{{cite web |title=History Speedway and Longtrack |url=http://www.speedway.org/history/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |publisher=Speedway.org}}</ref> as well as a round of the 1977 [[Speedway World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1977 World Team Cup |url=http://www.internationalspeedway.co.uk/wtc1.htm |access-date=13 January 2024 |website=International Speedway}}</ref>

The [[Dvorana Gradski vrt]], a multi-purpose sports hall, was constructed as a venue for the [[2009 World Men's Handball Championship]]. It later hosted the [[2017 Davis Cup]] World Group match between [[Croatia Davis Cup Team|Croatia]] and [[Spain Davis Cup Team|Spain]]. Additionally, Osijek is the home of the annual [[Pannonian Challenge]], an extreme sports festival that features competitions in [[skateboarding]], [[Aggressive inline skating|inline skating]], [[BMX|freestyle BMX]], and [[Mountain bike racing|MTB dirt racing]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Horvat |first=Karmen |date=23 November 2007 |title=Osijek sports hall construction contract signed |url=http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=100819 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208202826/http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=100819 |archive-date=8 December 2008 |access-date=20 January 2016 |publisher=Javno.com}}</ref>

The new [[Opus Arena]] stadium, with a capacity of 13,005 spectators, was opened on 22 July 2023 with the official match of the first round of the Croatian First League between the [[NK Osijek]] and [[NK Slaven Belupo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stadion "Opus Arena" |url=https://nk-osijek.hr/opus-arena/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726193403/https://nk-osijek.hr/opus-arena/ |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=nk-osijek.hr |language=hr}}</ref>

===Tourism, sights and attractions===
[[File:Hotel Osijek 1.jpg|thumb|upright|160px|Hotel Osijek]]
Osijek remains a popular domestic tourist destination, known for its [[Baroque]] architecture, expansive open spaces, and diverse recreational offerings. Key attractions include the main [[Ante Starčević Square]], the 18th-century Baroque citadel of [[Tvrđa]], the scenic promenade along the Drava River (''promenada''), and the pedestrian [[suspension bridge]] connecting the city to [[Baranja region|Baranja]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Discover Osijek |url=https://www.visitosijek.hr |access-date= |website=Osijek Tourist Board |publisher=Official Tourist Board}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Osijek Attractions |url=https://www.osijek.hr |access-date= |website=City of Osijek |publisher=Official City Website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=20 great things to do in Osijek {{!}} Things to do {{!}} Time Out Croatia |url=https://www.timeout.com/croatia/things-to-do/20-great-things-to-do-in-osijek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241103233307/https://www.timeout.com/croatia/things-to-do/20-great-things-to-do-in-osijek |archive-date=3 November 2024 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Time Out Croatia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Municipal Park of [[List of rulers of Croatia|King]] [[Petar Krešimir IV of Croatia|Petar Krešimir IV]] and [[King Tomislav|Tomislav]] Park, both established in the early 20th century, are protected as national cultural landmarks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Osijek |url=https://www.visitosijek.hr |access-date= |website=Osijek Tourist Board |publisher=Official Tourist Board}}</ref> The city contains one of Croatia's few zoological gardens, located along the Drava river.<ref>{{cite web |title=Osijek Zoo |url=https://www.zoo-osijek.hr |access-date= |website=Zoološki vrt Osijek |publisher=Official Zoo Website}}</ref> A notable monument in the city honors Croatian political figure [[Ante Starčević]].<ref>{{cite news |date=15 May 2018 |title=Ante Starčević Monument in Osijek |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com |access-date= |publisher=Croatia Week}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=13 June 2007 |title=Osječani rekli "Da" spomeniku Ocu Domovine – na glavnom trgu otkriven spomenik dr. Anti Starčeviću |url=http://www.osijek.hr/nastavak.aspx?id=8339 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026001607/http://www.osijek.hr//nastavak.aspx?id=8339 |archive-date=26 October 2007 |access-date=28 August 2008 |publisher=City of Osijek}}</ref>

The [[Osijek Co-cathedral|Co-cathedral of St. Peter and Paul]] in Osijek is a [[Gothic Revival architecture|Neo-Gothic]] structure designed by German architect Franz Langenberg, with contributions from Richard Jordan. Its tower, rising to 90 meters, is the second-highest church tower in Croatia.<ref name="osijek-cocathedral2">{{Cite web |title=Co-Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Osijek {{!}} Culture & Art {{!}} Croatia4me - Jouw vakantie naar Kroatië begint hier! |url=https://croatia4me.com/travel-directory/co-cathedral-of-sts-peter-and-paul-in-osijek/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Co-Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul |url=https://www.visitosijek.hr |access-date= |website=Osijek Tourist Board |publisher=Official Tourist Board}}</ref> Although its size and prominence often lead to it being called a cathedral, it served as a parish church until its elevation to a co-cathedral in 2008. The interior contains approximately 40 stained-glass windows, with the main altar and sculptures crafted by Eduard Hauser.<ref>{{cite web |title=Osijek Co-Cathedral |url=https://www.osijek-co-cathedral.hr |access-date= |website=Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek |publisher=Official Archdiocese Website}}</ref> The building sustained significant damage during the [[Croatian War of Independence]] in the 1990s, resulting in the loss of some original features.
{{wide image|OS-Most-na-dravi.jpg|900px|align-cap=center|A panoramic view of the pedestrian bridge over the [[Drava]].}}

=== Festivals and Events ===


Osijek has become home to several large festivals and events, including [[Urban Fest Osijek]], an annual music festival, and [[Pannonian Challenge]], an annual extreme sports festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History – PC XXVI |url=https://pannonian.hr/information/history/?lang=en |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Most Drava.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Osijek cable-stayed [[A5 (Croatia)|Drava Highway Bridge]], the [[List of bridges in Croatia |longest bridge]] in [[Croatia]]. (81 metres longer than the [[Pelješac bridge]])]]
{{See also|Osijek tram system}}
Transport links to and from Osijek include major [[railway]] and [[highway]] junctions, a [[river port]], and [[Osijek Airport]]. International flights from the airport to [[Cologne/Bonn Airport]] in Germany commenced in March 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.osijek-airport.hr/en/novosti/danas-polijecemo.html|title=First international flight departs from Osijek International Airport|publisher=Osijek Airport|date=14 March 2008|access-date=23 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520120418/http://www.osijek-airport.hr/en/novosti/danas-polijecemo.html|archive-date=20 May 2008}}</ref> A four-lane highway, part of the Pan-European [[Corridor Vc]], linking Osijek to the rest of the Croatian modern highway network, was completed and opened in April 2009. From Osijek, it is possible to take the train or bus to numerous destinations including, [[Zagreb]], [[Rijeka]], [[Požega, Croatia|Požega]], [[Virovitica]], [[Našice]], [[Slavonski Brod]], [[Erdut]], [[Vrpolje]], [[Dalj]], and [[Đakovo]].<ref name="osijek-invest">{{Cite journal |title=OVERVIEW OF POTENTIALS AND BENEFITS – invitation to companies to Invest in Osijek |url=https://www.osinvest.hr/upload/documents/Invest%20in%20Osijek%20booklet.pdf |journal=Invest in Osijek Booklet}}</ref><ref name="a5-corridor-vc">{{Cite web |title=Croatian Motorways / Hrvatske autoceste — A5 motorway (part of Pan-European Corridor Vc) |url=https://www.hac.hr/hr}}</ref>

A small tram network runs through the city, which has been in continuous operation since 1884, and is the only tram network still in operation in Croatia outside of [[Trams in Zagreb|Zagreb]]. The network is currently being completely overhauled and more than doubled in length, and the city's old trams have been thoroughly modernized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Építők |first=Magyar |date=2025-03-26 |title=Transport in Osijek on the verge of a revolution: renewal of the tram network and fleet |url=https://buildingconnections.eu/en/kotott-palya/2025/03/26/forradalmi-atalakulas-kuszoben-all-eszek-kozlekedese-megujul-a-villamoshalozat-es-a-jarmupark/ |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=buildingconnections.eu |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UrbanRail.Net > Europe > Croatia > Osijek Tram - Straßenbahn |url=https://www.urbanrail.net/eu/hr/osijek/osijek.htm |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=www.urbanrail.net}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from Osijek}}

Notable people who were born or have lived in Osijek include:
* [[Matija Petar Katančić]], an 18th-century Croatian writer, professor of [[archaeology]], translator of the Bible into Croatian, and author of the first paper on archaeology in Croatia.
* [[Josip Juraj Strossmayer]], a Croatian Maecenas bishop.<ref name=Notable-people>{{cite web|author=T.M. |date=2022-08-02 |title=Notable people |url=https://sib.net.hr/lifestyle/ostalo-lifestyle/4265228/vida-mandzo-sovagovic-znate-li-tko-je-najpoznatiji-u-vasem-slavonskom-mjestu/ |publisher=SiB.hr |agency=[[RTL (Croatian TV channel)]]|location=Zagreb|language=hr|archivedate=2022-08-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803123005/https://sib.net.hr/lifestyle/ostalo-lifestyle/4265228/vida-mandzo-sovagovic-znate-li-tko-je-najpoznatiji-u-vasem-slavonskom-mjestu/ |accessdate=2022-08-04}}</ref>
* [[Franjo Šeper]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zagreb|Archbishop of Zagreb]] from 1960 to 1968, and Prefect of the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]] from 1968 to 1981.
* [[Francis, Duke of Teck]], a German prince
* [[Oscar Nemon]], sculptor
* [[Adolf Waldinger]], painter
* [[Bela Čikoš Sesija]], painter
* [[Franjo Kuhač]], musicologist
* [[Franjo Krežma]], violinist
* [[Miroslav Škoro]], singer and former politician 
* [[Branko Mihaljević]], singer
* [[Krunoslav Slabinac]], singer
* [[Ferdo Šišić]], historian
* [[Snježana Kordić]], linguist<ref name=Notable-people/>
* [[Drago Hedl]], investigative journalist and writer
* [[Vladimir Herzog]], TV journalist 
* [[Branko Lustig]], Hollywood producer, [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] winner for ''[[Schindler's List]]'' and ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'', directed by [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Ridley Scott]], respectively.<ref name=Notable-people/> 
* [[Davor Šuker]], footballer
* [[Franjo Glaser]] footballer
* [[Borna Barišić]], footballer 
* [[Jasna Šekarić]], sport shooter  
* [[Jelena Dokić]], tennis player
* [[Donna Vekić]], tennis player
* [[Lavoslav Ružička|Lavoslav (Leopold) Ružička]], winner of a 1939 [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]]
* [[Vladimir Prelog]], winner of a 1975 [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]]
* [[Andrija Mohorovičić]], meteorologist and seismologist
* [[Milutin Milanković]], mathematician and climatologist
* [[:hr:Mijo Kišpatić|Mijo Kišoatić]], famous Croatian mineralogist and petrologist, first doctor of science (Ph.D.) in the field of [[natural science]]s at the [[University of Zagreb]]. 
* [[Ante Vukasović]], Pedagogue and university professor 
* [[Mia Dimšić]], singer

==Acknowledgements==
===Honorary citizens===
* 1994: [[Siegbert Frank]], [[Ćiril Kos]], [[Vladimir Prelog]]
* 1995: [[Hans Dietrich Genscher]], [[Bernard M. Luketich]]
* 1996: [[Geza Jeszenszky]], [[Alois Mock]]
* 2001: [[Julije Knifer]]
* 2004: [[Branko Lustig]]
* 2008: [[Davor Šuker]]
* 2012: [[Ante Gotovina]], [[Mladen Markač]]
* 2013: [[Jacques Paul Klein]], [[Ive Mažuran]]
* 2016: [[Vladimir Šeks]]
* 2020: [[Lőrinc Mészáros]]
<small>Source<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osijekexpress.com/2020/12/02/svi-pocasni-gradani-osijeka-od-preloga-preko-sukera-do-meszarosa-a-imamo-i-neke-do-80-godine/|title=Svi počasni građani Osijeka, od Preloga, preko Šukera, do Mészárosa… A imamo i neke do '80. godine…|website=osijekexpress.com|last=Srčnik|first=Alan|date=2020|access-date=29 June 2023|language=hr}}</ref></small>

==International relations==
===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Croatia}}
[[File:Twin_towns_sign,_Osijek.jpg|thumb|Twin towns sign]]

Osijek is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Gradovi prijatelji|url=https://www.osijek.hr/gradska-uprava/gradski-uredi-odjeli-i-sluzbe/ured-gradonacelnika/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-prijatelji/|access-date=2022-05-30|website=Grad Osijek|language=hr|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817074852/https://www.osijek.hr/gradska-uprava/gradski-uredi-odjeli-i-sluzbe/ured-gradonacelnika/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-prijatelji/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[13th district of Budapest|Budapest XIII]], Hungary (2001)
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[City of Canada Bay|Canada Bay]], Australia (2018)
*{{flagicon|ALB}} [[Elbasan]], Albania (2015)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Huanggang]], China (2017)
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Lausanne]], Switzerland (1997)
*{{flagicon|SVN}} [[Maribor]], Slovenia (1995)
*{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Mostar]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (2022)<ref>{{cite web|title=Osijek i Mostar postali gradovi prijatelji|url=https://www.osijek.hr/osijek-i-mostar-postali-gradovi-prijatelji/|website=osijek.hr|publisher=Osijek|language=hr|date=2022-05-26|access-date=2022-05-30|archive-date=26 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526113151/https://www.osijek.hr/osijek-i-mostar-postali-gradovi-prijatelji/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
||
*{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Nitra]], Slovakia (1997)
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Pécs]], Hungary (1972)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Pforzheim]], Germany (1994)
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Ploiești]], Romania (1996)
*{{flagicon|KOS}} [[Prizren]], Kosovo (2010)
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Subotica]], Serbia (2004)
*{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Tuzla]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996)
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Vicenza]], Italy (2014)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Afyonkarahisar]], Türkiye (2025)
|}


== Demographics ==

=== Ethnic composition (2021) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Ethnic group !! Population !! Percentage
|-
| Croats || 88,391 || 91.77%
|-
| Serbs || 4,188 || 4.35%
|-
| Hungarians (Mađari) || 759 || 0.79%
|-
| Albanians || 353 || 0.37%
|-
| Germans (Nijemci) || 221 || 0.23%
|-
| Slovaks || 207 || 0.21%
|-
| Macedonians || 139 || 0.14%
|-
| Slovenes || 69 || 0.07%
|-
| Roma || 77 || 0.08%
|-
| Poles (Poljaci) || 12 || 0.01%
|-
| Romanians || 16 || 0.02%
|-
| Austrians || 16 || 0.02%
|-
| Russians || 9 || 0.01%
|-
| Other || 1,863 || 1.93%
|-
| '''Total (Grad Osijek)''' || '''96,313''' || '''100.00%'''
|}

<ref>{{Cite web |title=Popis 2021. |url=https://dzs.gov.hr/u-fokusu/popis-2021/88?utm_source |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=dzs.gov.hr}}</ref>

===Partner cities===
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Novi Sad]], Serbia (2002)
|}
==References==
===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Cresswell|first1=Peterjon|last2=Atkins|first2=Ismay|last3=Dunn|first3=Lily|title=Time Out Croatia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZweAAAACAAJ|access-date=10 March 2010|date=10 July 2006|publisher=Time Out Group Ltd & Ebury Publishing, [[Random House|Random House Ltd.]] 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SV1V 2SA|edition=First|location=London, Berkeley & Toronto|isbn=978-1-904978-70-1}}
{{Refend}}

===Notes===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Osijek}}
{{Wikivoyage|Osijek}}
* [http://www.osijek.hr/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926091259/http://osijek.hr/ |date=26 September 2007}}
* [http://www.osijek031.com Osijek 031 city portal] {{in lang|hr}}
* [http://www.osijek-online.com/ Osijek Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911123126/http://www.osijek-online.com/ |date=11 September 2007 }} {{in lang|hr}}
* [http://www.tzosijek.hr Osijek tourist information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626042948/http://www.tzosijek.hr/ |date=26 June 2007}}

{{Osijek}}
{{County seats of Croatia}}
{{Croatian cities}}
{{Osijek-Baranja}}
{{Illyrians}}
{{Authority control}}
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