Daruvar
The city of Daruvar, (45.5905556 latitude, 17.225 longitude, 190 m altitude) in the western part of Croatian plains. It the foothils of the Papuk mountain, along river Ilova. It is 125 km from capital Zagreb and 130 km from eastern and main city of Slavonia Osijek.
Within the city limits of (64 km²) are suburbs Daruvarski Vinogradi, (vinograd=vineyard, grad=city in Croatian language), Doljani, Gornji Daruvar, Lipovac Majur, Ljudevit Selo, Markovac, Vrbovac. Closest cities are Pakrac, Lipik, Novska, Križevci, Bjelovar, Virovitica, Banja Luka.
People
Accordering to census in 2001, population was 12 853. In ethnic terms, majority are Croats, then Czech, Serbs, Hungarians, Germans and other. Czech population is of significant size having its own schools, societies and club s, (Jednota or Unity in Chech language), publishing company. Whole area is actually bilingual with Chech being the second official one. As for the religion, 74.5% are Catholic s 12.7 % Orthodox, 10.5 % agnostics and atheist while rest belongs to Baptism, Islam, Calvinism and other. 2300 people are employed one thirs of them women. First school was open in 1856. With support of countess Ljudevita Janković), school for women was open here in 1866.
History
Archeaological findings here, (stone axes), could be traced back to the stone age. The history of Daruvar could be traced to the 4th century BC, when first organized habitation emarged near the warm geothermal spa s in today's Daruvar valley.Celtic - Pannonian tribe s living here and familiar with water treatments benefiting health, were Iassi (meaning healers), so called by both Greek and Roman writers.
As alies of Roman Empire, the tribe's provided support to emperor Octavan Augustus during siege of Siscia, (today's Sisak), and in 35 AD, Iassi were granted local authonomy know as Res Publica Iasorum. The center of it was Aqua Balissae meaning very strong springs. In year 124, during the reign of Hadrian, it gained additional authonomy as Municipium Iassorum. Streaching between rivers Sava and Drava, on roads of the time as Siscia - Mursa, (Sisak - Osijek), Salona - Aquincum, Sirmium - Paetovium, it was easy to access. Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Septimius Severus, Constantine I the Great, (317 - 340), they all visited Aqua Balissae's decorated temple, its thermal complex, its forum, its amphitheatre.
In middle age s, following the era of great movements of the people across the Europe in 4,5,6 and 7th century, in 11th century region became part of mightier entity, that one of rapidly growing and politicaly important city of Križevci. Within, it became part of mighty Zagreb Archdiocese mentioned by legislators for the first time in 1334. Since on the busy crossroads, there were four trading points within the valley--Četvrtkovac, Dimičkovine, Podborje and Toplice, (toplice=spas in Croatian language). And, as it was more than millennium ago, pleasant spas kept attracting people. The population in that period of time was exclusivelly Catholic.
In 15th and 16th century, all that changed. Expansion of the (Ottoman Empire) dissrupted the steady development and Turks ocupied lands here in 1543. The very Monastery of St King Ladislaus was degraded becoming Turkish defense post looking into the Krajina, military zone created to protect the Habsburgs Empire just west from here. Local people fled while Orthodox prople came as their servants of the. Turks were expelled in 1699 and now ethnically mixed area came under rule of Vienna, (Wien - Bec), in 1745.
Podborje, Sirač and Pakrac were bought by count Antun Jankovic who in 1771 renamed Podborje to Daruvar, (daru= crane in Hungarian language), after one building of his own he already used to call Crane's castle. In 1772 count started building around the spring s, envisioning the town as healing, leisure and recreation center. In 1837 Daruvar was announced free city by the decree of king Ferdinand I. Still empty lands were soon repopulated by people skilled in craft s, (trades), trade , agriculture from around Croatia and beyon. Czech, Hungarian, German, Italian and others were invited to came.
Spas
In 1772 count Antun Janković started building around the warm spring s envisioning the town as healing, leisure and recreation center. Numerous buildings are here since his era -- (Anton's spa, Ivan's spa ). Today, Daruvarske Toplice is special hospital complex for rehabilitation specialized in treatment of fertility,(primary and secondary sterility, postoperative rehabilitation, clinics for estetic surgery. Warm spas, (37-43 degrees C), are used in treatment of inflamation s, rheumatism, the trauma of hips, head, spine, system of locomotion.
Nearby, in the park containing 65 different kind of trees, (Ghynko Biloba, Variagatum and other), is hotel Termal renovated and extensed in 1996. The smaller one, Balisse is 10 minute walking distance from here in the downton. New buildings like Swiss villa, Villa Arcadia are being constructed while Big mud spa with its prominent dome is well known city mark.
Tourism
Area is rich in monument s. Historic Kistalovac, Pavlovina, Sirač, Bagenovać, Dobra Kuća, Stupčanica are example s of numerous local castles belonging to the Croatian nobility of the times passed by. Franciscan monestaries like that ones of St. Margareth, St. Ana, St three kings, Church of Holly Trinity are witnesses of the rich religious culture.
Economy
German people who came here in 18th century as well Czech s in 19th were keystone of the revival participating in agriculture, food processing plants, culture, education. In 1897 development of the city was accelerated by opening the railroad track from Banova Jaruga to Barcs in Hungary. The opening was witnesed buy the emperor Franz Joseph. Since 1840 brewery is producing today more than 250 000 hl, (Hl =100l), of beer produced upon an old and famous Czech recipe s, with Old Bohemian,(Staročšesko pivo), brand being the most known. Zdenka of Veliki Zdenci is famous for its milk and cheese processing plant. Also, fish is cultivated in artificial lakes around Končanica and being processed within Irida. Here are also local vines, corn, wheat, meat production here.
Dalit, created in 1905, is metal processing plant once one of the biggest in what was once Yugoslavia, employing 320, once almost 2000 people. The raphics and printing, (Daruvarska Tiskara d.d., Logos). Textile plant is employing around 200 at Vesna.
Today there are more than 120 predomionantely smaller companies. 2300 people are employed one thirs of them women.