The Walls of Ilok: They Are Opened!

05.05.2024
Slavonia

The walls of Ilok are a special part of its history, protected to keep their cultural importance. They’re the main focus of the Core project. The defensive belt we see today, with towers, half-towers, and connecting walls, is just a piece of the whole story. It all began in the 13th century and kept growing until the 16th century. Back then, the fortification spread westward, covering most of the plateau. It finally wrapped up with semicircular bastions and a city citadel, along with the palace of the princes of Ilok.

Underneath the grassy fortress plateau, hidden treasures are waiting to be discovered. Archaeologists have already found two Gothic churches, a mosque, and a turba. With more digging, they might uncover even more medieval buildings. Some parts, like a Turkish hammam and a well-preserved turba, are still intact. The defensive wall stretches over 1,200 meters, featuring square towers, round semi-towers, and a circular bastion.

The Restoration of Ilok's Medieval Walls and Cultural Heritage

The walls of Ilok are just as valuable and important as those of Dubrovnik and Ston. They started building defense towers, bastions, and walls way back in the 13th century. Nikola Iločki played a big part in how the city looks today, keeping its medieval vibe alive.

These walls used to stretch for 1,600 meters, but now only over 850 meters are left and they’re getting restored. It wasn’t until the 17th century that people started walking on these walls, according to Marko Mikolašević, head of the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Culture in Vukovar.

Preserving these walls from decay and making them appealing to tourists and visitors are top priorities. Mikolašević stressed the importance of creating new economic value from them. These walls are the biggest preserved fortification in inland Croatia, he reminded.

Apart from fixing up the medieval walls in old Ilok, they’ve also renovated the Granary and the Cellar’s house, both owned by Ilok cellars. The Granary used to store the owner of Odeschalchi castle’s grain. Now, it’s a fancy building with a presentation hall, a permanent gallery, an info center, and twelve double rooms for accommodation. The Cellarer’s house celebrates Ilok’s rich wine culture, and nearby, there are three wings of the Franciscan monastery of St. Ivan Capistrano.

Ilok's Renovated Medieval Core Unveiled!

On Thursday, over two hundred guests and dignitaries from all across Croatia, led by experts, explored the newly renovated medieval heart of beautiful Ilok. Not even rain clouds could stop them from wandering through the town’s latest tourist attraction – the Ilok walls, and soaking in the breathtaking view of Croatia’s easternmost town. Now, Ilok not only offers top-quality wines but also presents a unique interpretation of its rich cultural heritage.

Marina Budimir, the mayor of Ilok, highlighted the significance of cultural heritage in the town. She expressed her delight in completing the extensive renovation project that began in 2021 and wrapped up by the end of 2023. With almost nine million euros funding the project, including 6.7 million euros from the European Union, Ilok has undergone a remarkable transformation. The renovated old core, walls, Franciscan monastery, Žitnica building, and Podrumareva house owned by Iločki Podrumi offer visitors a fresh experience of the city.

To celebrate, the town organized a rich program that delighted both locals and guests. Besides free tours of the restored walls, children enjoyed workshops, and an exhibition at the City Museum of Ilok showcased the town’s history. Iloč wineries also opened their doors to visitors. Additionally, from 5 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, locals enjoyed complimentary rides on the tourist train along the Old Cellar – Principovac – Old Cellar route.

Want to experience all of this for yourself? Book your trip HERE!

Your CTC Team