Virovitica


Virovitica is a Croatian city near the Hungarian border. It is situated near the Drava river and belongs to the historic region of Slavonia. Virovitica has a population of 14,688, with 21,291 people in the municipality. It is also the capital of Virovitica-Podravina County.

Name

Virovitica has also historically been known by the names Wirowititz/Virovititz and Wirowitiza, Viroviticza, Verewitiza, Verowitiza, Verowtiza, Verőce and Varaviza.

History

The town is first mentioned in 1234. It was part of Ottoman Empire between 1552 and 1684 and was kaza centre initially in Sanjak of Pojega, later in Sanjak of Rahoviçe in Kanije Eyalet until the Austro-Hungarian conquest.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Virovitica was a district capital in the Virovitica County of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia.

Demographics

The following settlements comprise the administrative area of the city of Virovitica:
The patron saint of Virovitica is St. Rocco, celebrated every August 16.
Đorđe Balašević wrote a song titled Virovitica, praising his time spent in the city.

Notable people

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Virovitica is twinned with: