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With more than seven an
half centuries of history, Požega is a city of great cultural
tradition and beautiful architecture. It is the centre of Požega
Valley, named by Romans “Vallis Aurea” - Golden Valley.
Ever since it was
mantioned for the first time in the written history - in 1227
- this city has played an important role in vedieval as well
as in modern life of Slavonia. It was the centre of the Požega
County and, after the expulsion of the invading Turkish army
in 1688, an important cultural centre. The first grammar
school in Slavonia was founded in Požega in 1699 and between
1763 and 1744, Academia Possegana was an active university
centre.
During the 18th Century, a primary school, pharmacy
and post office were opened in Požega, Whereas many crafts and
artisan shops, small businesses and the first beginnigs of
banking in Slavonia were boosting the economy of the whole
region.
In the 19th century, Požega was named “Slavonian
Athens”. It was an immensely profilic cultural period when many cultural and art societes were
founded, some of which are still active; library, choir, etc.
At the same time the second printing house in Slavonia was
founded in Požega and started in 1863 with the publishing of
the “Slavonac” magazine. In 1873 the first artisan and workers
society was founded in Požega.
Many famous artists and
prominent people from cultural and public life were born or
had their home in Požega: beroque poet Antun Kanižlić; first
grammarian of the Croatian cultural revival, Vjekoslav
Babukić; the author of the first Croatian Romantic novel,
Miroslav Kraljević Sr; writer Josip Eugen Tomić and Janko
Jurković; poet Franjo Ciraki; explorer of the African
continent, Dragutin Lerman, and
many others. Požega was also a home to Miroslav Kraljević Jr,
one of the most famous Croatian painters.
You can enter
Požega from all four sides of the world. Each entrance reveals
different parts of the cultural heritage of the “Slavonian
Athens” and all this beauty flows into the centre of the city
- The Holly Trinity Square, unique in Croatia.
In this
square surrounded by baroque vaults, there are Votive Monument
to the Plaque, so called “Kužni pil”, built to fend off
medieval plaque epidemic, St. Lawrence’s Church with the 14th
Century frescos, Jesuit Collegium house, built in 1711,first
Gymnasium im Slavonia,built in 1726, and the house in which
Miroslav kraljević Jr his atelier.
Today, with its 28 000
inhabitants, Požega is an important cultural and economic
centre and, since recently, the capital of the Požega County,
a diocesan see and the Seat of an associate - degree college. |
