Ilok Walls Open Day: Ilok is becoming a new mecca of cultural tourism

The reconstruction of the walls, the Granary building, the Cellar House and the Franciscan monastery, co-financed by the European Union from the Operational Program "Competitiveness and Cohesion" 6.7-2014 with almost 2020 million euros, positions Ilok as one of the most attractive cultural tourism destinations.

Work on the reconstruction of the medieval walls in Ilok is expected to be completed by spring, it was pointed out at the Ilok Walls Open Day. More than a hundred citizens and guests gathered at the presentation of this extremely important project in Brnjaković Mansion.

The reconstruction of the walls of the Granary building, the Cellar house and the Franciscan monastery in Ilok is one of the largest projects in the east of Croatia, worth slightly less than nine million euros, and with almost 6,7 million euros it is co-financed by the European Union from the Operational Program "Competitiveness and Cohesion". 2014 - 2020

"The trademark of Ilok are the walls built by Nikola Iločki, started by the ravages of time, they needed rehabilitation that started in 2021 and I am really proud that we have reached the very end. This project is a valuable addition to the tourist offer of the city and I believe that many people will find it interesting to walk from the southern part of the walls or from the tower on the northern side to enjoy the view towards the Danube", pointed out the mayor of Iloka, Marina Budimir.

Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect Damir Dekanić pointed out that with the completion of the reconstruction project, Ilok will become one of the most attractive cultural tourism destinations not only in Vukovar-Srijem County but in the whole of Croatia.

"The county encourages the restoration of cultural and historical heritage and uses all opportunities for investments in tourist infrastructure, which is reflected in the continuous growth of tourism results", said the prefect.

The importance of this project for the cultural heritage of Croatia was also emphasized by Marko Mikolašević, head of the Conservation Department in Vukovar and representative of the Ministry of Culture and Media, and what the reconstruction means for the local environment was explained by Antonijo Kraljević, president of the Board of Iločki podrums, which are next to the Franciscan Monastery and TZ Vukovar-Srijem County partners in the project.

Focus on sustainable tourism

Director of the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County, Majda Jakša, pointed out that with the completion of this extremely demanding project, Ilok will get a new attraction.

"Thus, we rounded off a beautiful tourist story that Ilok ultimately deserves. This project is an example of high-quality destination management, its emphasis is on sustainable tourism, which we have decided for in the Vukovar-Srijem County. I am extremely happy that we managed to preserve our cultural heritage in Ilok for future generations", said Majda Jakša in the Brnjaković Manor, and just a few hundred meters away in the Ilok City Museum in the Odescalchi castle, the youngest residents of Ilok had fun at an educational workshop with Fairy Tale Storyteller Sandra and museum curators.

Not even the fog that gave Croatia's easternmost city a mystical ambience on the Iločki Open Day prevented guests from Zagreb from visiting the monastery and the church of St. Ivan Kapistrano and the Museum of the City of Ilok and will walk through its center. They did not hide their enthusiasm for its beauty with the announcement of its return in the spring when the green areas will also be renewed.

On the eve of the Ilok Walls Open Day at the Brnjaković Manor, at the education on the valorization and interpretation of cultural heritage, it was concluded that Ilok will become a tourist mecca in the far east of Croatia with the completion of the project next year.

And the continent has its own Dubrovnik

In terms of value and importance, the walls of Ilok can be compared with those of Dubrovnik and Ston, defense towers, half-towers, bastions and connecting walls began to be built in the 13th century, and in the 15th century they spread towards the west. Nikola Iločki is responsible for their preserved medieval form. The walls were once 1.600 meters long, and today more than 850 meters have been preserved and are being restored. In addition to their reconstruction, the Granary building is also being renovated, which will receive a presentation hall, a permanent gallery, an info center and accommodation facilities, a cellar house dedicated to the rich wine cultural heritage of Ilok, and three wings of the Franciscan monastery of St. Ivan Capistrano.

Photo author: Marko Džavić