Republika Hrvatska
Republic of Croatia

Capital City: Zagreb
Population: 4,493,312
Languages:Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German)
Currency: Kuna (HRK)

Nothing can always be the same. there is not another Ðakovo in the world. You may get to know many towns, some you will sincerely admire, but only one will win all your affection. It is because it has the most charming contours, everything in it is the best, its evenings are romantic and the mornings are sunny.
Can anyone control that mysterious quiver of its magic? Pious stillness, unrestrained silent adventures, solemn rites and much more than that, much deeper, in only two words: MY TOWN.
The first thing you see when approaching Ðakovo from either side in the brightness of the bricks on the two towers and cupolas of the most beautiful cathedral in the region from Venice to Istanbul. From this highest point in Ðakovo, flaring with a heavenly flame, you can see the whole town, flowing from the ancient center in all directions and into the fields, touching the skies. If you go lower than that, into the embrace of its squares, parks and streets, to the hearts of its people, you will step into the new life which rests on the old trails. Ðakovo has written its history with both a pen and a sword.
According to the old, yellowed charters, it began to be called “a town” in 1239, when it was first mentioned as an episcopal residence.In the architecture of Ðakovo, the preserved witnesses of the historical springs are the medieval Gothic walls that sorrounded and protected the town in 14th century the parochial church of All Saint's, the former mosque from 16th century and the old city nucleus from 18th and 19th century, with the characteristics of baroque, secession and historicism.
Completely unprecedented is the cathedral of the great Croatian patriot and the noble Maecenas of art and education, Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, with the characteristics of the Gothic and Romanic architecture, being the symbol of Ðakovo.
There are many written documents and other valuable things, kept in the treasuries of the City Museum. The knowledge of many centuries is well kept in the Episcopal Museum, the commemoration Museum of Bishop Josip Strossmayer, and in the Museum of the Ðakovo region, as well as in the Bishop's Palace
The name of Ðakovocontains the national tradition of the people's lifes of this region, a wealth of folklore is preserved and nurtured in the manifestation called “Đakovački vezovi” (The Ðakovo Embroideries)
The name of Ðakovo symbolyzes love faithful for horses, the companions of man, being reflected in centennial the tradition of breeding thoroughbred horses in the world-famous herd of the Lipizaner breed.
This town, resting on the largest natural wealth – soil, which gives the abundance of food to its forests and keeps the deeply rooted tradition of viticulture and hunting.
Ðakovo is also its industry, education, health care, sport, banking, trade, hotel industry... The town has expanded over 173 square kilometres, and its 29,500 inhabitants devotedly care for its tradition, historical sights, greenery, cleayliness and good balance of all its city functions. With more than a hundred pictures from its life, we hope to arouse your out that admiration as well. The citiy gate is wide open for any other pictures. You will soon find welcoming you.behind the name of Ðakovo, a town is hiding, made to measure for man. It is yet another reason for our welcoming you.

Text by Zdravka Dean, DEAN D.o.o. Đakovo. Pictures: Marko Perić i Ante Zubović