Vinkovci: Orion, Theater and Sopot

Theater, Orion and city history

The theater tradition in Vinkovci dates back to 1917. At the time, the amateur theater performed the two one-act plays “Prosci” by Ise Velikanović and “Začarani ormar” by Ferdo Ž. Miler. The Joza Ivakić Vinkovci City Theater takes part in the Actors’ Festival, among many other festivals.

The Orion vessel offers a different way of measuring time: it dates from 2600 BC and belongs to the Vučedol culture. Orion is described as a calendar and as the oldest calendar in Europe. You can see the Orion calendar at the Vinkovci City Museum. At Meraja, the early Romanesque Church of St. Elijah is considered the city’s oldest sacred monument; its foundations are still visible. A Baroque church in Vinkovci is dedicated to Saint Eusebius and Saint Polion and contains valuable works of art.

The city library is also part of Vinkovci’s cultural landscape. The Vinkovci City Library and Reading Room holds around 169,000 volumes, the Ivan Vanja Radauš Memorial Collection, the “Cibaliana” collection and a local history collection with manuscripts and first editions by prominent figures from Vinkovci. On the bank of the Bosut in Krnjaš, a monument erected in 2016 commemorates Marija and Ivan Kozarac: it depicts the two sitting on a bench and holding hands.

Two festivals, two cultural perspectives

The Vinkovačke jeseni takes place every year on the third weekend of September. Its aim is to sustainably promote original folk culture and artistic creation and preserve the musical heritage. At the same time, it showcases Slavonian traditions, costumes and customs. The festival includes a parade with riders, Lipizzaners and decorated carriages.

In early June, the Rimski dani presents Vinkovci as a historical, tourist and educational event through vivid depictions of Colonia Aurelia Cibalae. The program includes children’s workshops, a small gladiator school and reenactments of historical battles. The two festivals thus offer different highlights: the Vinkovačke jeseni focuses on Slavonian customs, while the Rimski dani focuses on the city’s Roman past. If you are planning a trip around one of the festivals, check the specific event date before booking.

Along the Bosut to Sopot

Vinkovci lies on the northernmost meander of the Bosut, whose left bank was protected from flooding. A three-kilometer walking and cycling path along the river connects the Sopot Archaeological Park with the city center. The picnic area includes six reconstructed Sopot houses. Their historical counterparts were once built in the marshes along the Bosut, and the reconstructions are based on finds from this site. Sopot also has a children’s playground.

The route to Sopot offers a tangible counterpoint to theater, museums and city history: you can combine a visit to the archaeological park with a walk or bike ride. Swimming at Banja is considered one of the leisure activities in Vinkovci; check before your visit whether it is currently available. A boat trip on the Bosut is recommended as a visitor experience. Check in advance whether a trip can be arranged for your dates.

Choose the focus of your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider what you want your trip to focus on: theater, museums and the library, a festival date, or the walking and cycling path to Sopot. The connection between the park and the city center makes Sopot a separate excursion option, while the two festivals offer different cultural themes and travel periods. Tailor your search to the focus that matters most to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vinkovci, Mirkovci, Municipality of Nuštar, Vukovar, Municipality of Bošnjaci, Municipality of Ilok, Municipality of Nijemci, Trpinja.

Back to the main travel overview: Vukovar-Srijem.