A pretty baroque town and river port on the banks of the Danube, Vukovar became the focus of world attention in Autumn 1991 when it was subjected to an 87-day siege by the rump Yugoslav Army and Serbian irregulars.

Siege

Despite the obstinate and heroic resistance put up by the heavily outnumbered defenders, the town fell on November 18. About 1800 defenders and civilians are known to have died in the siege; another 800 are still missing. Over 22,000 people left the town as refugees.

Peace

Vukovar was returned peacefully to Croatian control in 1997 and largely rebuilt in the years that followed. As well as serving as an enduring symbol of Croatian resistance during the Homeland War, Vukovar is also a charming Central European town, its range of sights more than justifying its status as one of inland Croatia’s key destinations.

Franje Tuđmana

Exploration should start on the arcaded main street, ul. Franje Tuđmana, at the western end of which is a handsome Neo-Renaissance edifice which still goes by its communist-era name of Radnički Dom or “House of the Workers”, although it was built to serve as the Grand Hotel in 1897.

Eltz Palace