Bjelovar
Encyclopedia
Bjelovar is a city in central Croatia
. It is the administrative centre of Bjelovar-Bilogora County
. During the 2001 census, there were 41,869 inhabitants, 90.51% which are Croats
.
Bjelovar is one of the younger towns of Central Croatia
, as it was first mentioned in 1413 and only gained importance when a new fort was built there in 1756. It was built on demand by empress Maria Theresa of Habsburgs. The initial role of the city was to defend central Croatia
against the Ottoman
invasions.
The town had to wait until the end of the wars to be pronounced a free royal town by ban
Ivan Mažuranić
in 1874.
, where, while building a basement for the house of Josip Horvatić, a dugout was found and identified as part of the Starčevo culture (generally 5000 – 4300 b. C.) Findings from Ždralovi belong to a regional subtype of the final variant in the long process of development of that Neolithic
culture. It is designated as Ždralovi facies of the Starčevo culture or the Starčevo - Final stages. There are also finding of Korenovo culture, Sopot culture, Lasinja culture and Vučedol culture
Population by ethnicity:
(north-west Croatia
) at an altitude of 135 metres above sea level. Bjelovar is the capital of the Bjelovar-Bilogora county, but also the natural, cultural and political centre of this area.
Bjelovar is home to an intersection of roads in this area; road D28 intersects with D43, and it lies on the road between Zagreb and west Slavonia, Podravina and Osijek. Also, Bjelovar is currently being connected by dual carriageway with Zagreb. That road is under construction.
The city of Bjelovar has an area of 191.9 km², and administratively it includes 31 other colonies.
North-east from Bjelovar there is a long and low elevation called Bilogora
with an average height of 150–200 m (highest point is Rajčevica, 309 m).
The geology of the area consists of pliocene sandy marl and sandstones with possible less layers of lignite. Older rocks nowhere appear on surface in this area. In deep boreholes are discovered crystalline rocks.
Bjelovar has a temperate continental climate. Winters are moderately cold, summers are warm. Precipitation about 900 mm per year is usual.
The characteristic wind during winter is northern, with eastern becoming stronger in spring and it may be quite cold. Usually it blows for a few days one after other. In summer the southern wind appears; it is warm and it heightens air humidity.
The mean yearly temperature in Bjelovar is about 12 °C (54 °F).
with:
- Imotski
, Croatia
- Novalja
, Croatia
- Pakrac
, Croatia
- Rubiera
, Italy
- Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
; Memorial Area Lug is dedicated to Ustashi soldiers killed by Partisans in 1945 and Memorial Area Borik is dedicated to Partisans killed during the Second World War.
Bjelovar hosts the yearly theatre festival „BOK“ (Bjelovarski odjeci kazališta or Bjelovar Echoes of Theatre). The festival was founded and run by Bjelovar actor Goran Navojec and it gathers the selection of best plays performed in Croatia during previous year.
capital of Europe, when its local squad RK Bjelovar
(under the name Partizan) ruled Croatian, Yugoslav and European handball, with its team coming solely from Bjelovar and neighbourhood.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It is the administrative centre of Bjelovar-Bilogora County
Bjelovar-Bilogora County
Bjelovar-Bilogora County is a county in central Croatia.The central town of Bjelovar was first mentioned in 1413, and it only gained importance when a new fort was built in 1756 to defend against the Ottoman invasions...
. During the 2001 census, there were 41,869 inhabitants, 90.51% which are Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
.
Bjelovar is one of the younger towns of Central Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, as it was first mentioned in 1413 and only gained importance when a new fort was built there in 1756. It was built on demand by empress Maria Theresa of Habsburgs. The initial role of the city was to defend central Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
against the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
invasions.
The town had to wait until the end of the wars to be pronounced a free royal town by ban
Ban (title)
Ban was a title used in several states in central and south-eastern Europe between the 7th century and the 20th century.-Etymology:The word ban has entered the English language probably as a borrowing from South Slavic ban, meaning "lord, master; ruler". The Slavic word is probably borrowed from...
Ivan Mažuranić
Ivan Mažuranic
Ivan Mažuranić was a Croatian poet, linguist and politician—probably the most important figure in Croatia's cultural life in the mid-19th century...
in 1874.
Ancient history
Oldest Neolithic location of this area can be found in the suburban part of Bjelovar, named ŽdraloviŽdralovi
Ždralovi is a village in Croatia....
, where, while building a basement for the house of Josip Horvatić, a dugout was found and identified as part of the Starčevo culture (generally 5000 – 4300 b. C.) Findings from Ždralovi belong to a regional subtype of the final variant in the long process of development of that Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
culture. It is designated as Ždralovi facies of the Starčevo culture or the Starčevo - Final stages. There are also finding of Korenovo culture, Sopot culture, Lasinja culture and Vučedol culture
Vucedol culture
The Vučedol culture was a Indo-European culture that flourished between 3000 and 2200 BC , centered in Syrmia and eastern Slavonia on the right bank of the Danube river, but possibly spreading throughout the Pannonian plain and western Balkans...
Demographics
Population by settlement:- Bjelovar, population 27,099
- BrezaBrezaBreza is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, famous for the local mining activities and production of coal. It covers an area of and is part of the Zenica-Doboj Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, population 103 - Brezovac, population 1,085
- Ciglena, population 341
- Galovac, population 449
- Gornje Plavnice, population 683
- Gornji Tomaš, population 94
- Gudovac, population 1,095
- Klokočevac, population 830
- Kokinac, population 193
- KupinovacKupinovacKupinovac is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D43 highway....
, population 139 - LetičaniLetičaniLetičani is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D43 highway....
, population 349 - Mala Ciglena, population 17
- Malo Korenovo, population 196
- Novi Pavljani, population 151
- NovoseljaniNovoseljaniNovoseljani is a village in Croatia....
, population 697 - Obrovnica, population 183
- Patkovac, population 262
- PrespaPrespa, CroatiaPrespa, Croatia is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D28 highway....
, population 509 - Prgomelje, population 699
- Prokljuvani, population 261
- Puričani, population 132
- Rajić, population 206
- Stančići, population 90
- Stare Plavnice, population 670
- Stari Pavljani, population 242
- TomašTomašTomaš is a village in Croatia....
, population 237 - Trojstveni MarkovacTrojstveni MarkovacTrojstveni Markovac is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D43 highway....
, population 1,300 - Veliko KorenovoVeliko KorenovoVeliko Korenovo is a village in Croatia....
, population 534 - Zvijerci, population 53
- ŽdraloviŽdraloviŽdralovi is a village in Croatia....
, population 1,426
Population by ethnicity:
| year | total | Croats Croats Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have... | Serbs Serbs The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in... | Yugoslavs Yugoslavs Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora... | others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 66.039 | 53.113 (80,42%) | 5.898 (8,93%) | 2.631 (3,98%) | 4.397 (6,65%) |
| 1981 | 66.553 | 48.819 (73,35%) | 5.897 (8,86%) | 9.249 (13,89%) | 2.588 (3,88%) |
| 1971 | 65.824 | 52.580 (79,87%) | 8.689 (13,20%) | 1.726 (2,62%) | 2.829 (4,29%) |
Geography
The city of Bjelovar is situated on a plateau in the south part of BilogoraBilogora
Bilogora is a low mountainous range in central Croatia. It consists of a series of hills and small plains some 80 kilometres in length stretching in the direction northwest-southeast, along the southwest part of the Podravina region...
(north-west Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
) at an altitude of 135 metres above sea level. Bjelovar is the capital of the Bjelovar-Bilogora county, but also the natural, cultural and political centre of this area.
Bjelovar is home to an intersection of roads in this area; road D28 intersects with D43, and it lies on the road between Zagreb and west Slavonia, Podravina and Osijek. Also, Bjelovar is currently being connected by dual carriageway with Zagreb. That road is under construction.
The city of Bjelovar has an area of 191.9 km², and administratively it includes 31 other colonies.
North-east from Bjelovar there is a long and low elevation called Bilogora
Bilogora
Bilogora is a low mountainous range in central Croatia. It consists of a series of hills and small plains some 80 kilometres in length stretching in the direction northwest-southeast, along the southwest part of the Podravina region...
with an average height of 150–200 m (highest point is Rajčevica, 309 m).
The geology of the area consists of pliocene sandy marl and sandstones with possible less layers of lignite. Older rocks nowhere appear on surface in this area. In deep boreholes are discovered crystalline rocks.
Bjelovar has a temperate continental climate. Winters are moderately cold, summers are warm. Precipitation about 900 mm per year is usual.
The characteristic wind during winter is northern, with eastern becoming stronger in spring and it may be quite cold. Usually it blows for a few days one after other. In summer the southern wind appears; it is warm and it heightens air humidity.
The mean yearly temperature in Bjelovar is about 12 °C (54 °F).
Twin towns — Sister cities
Bjelovar is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
- Imotski
Imotski
Imotski , is a small town situated on the northern side of Biokovo massif, Dalmatian hinterland, Croatia. The town was first mentioned as Imotski for the first time in the 10th century and it was held by the Turks from the fall of Bosnia until 1717 when it was captured by the Venetians. The town...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
- Novalja
Novalja
Novalja is a town in the north of the island of Pag in the Croatian part of Adriatic Sea. In recent times Novalja became famous because of the Zrće Beach, which is one of the biggest summer party zones in Europe.- History :...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
- Pakrac
Pakrac
Pakrac is a town in western Slavonia, Croatia, population 4,852, total municipality population 8,482 . Pakrac is located on the road and railroad connecting the regions of Posavina and Podravina.-Name:...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
- Rubiera
Rubiera
Rubiera is a comune in the Province of Reggio Emilia in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located on the Via Emilia about 50 km northwest of Bologna and about 13 km southeast of Reggio Emilia.-History:...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
- Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
Culture
Bjelovar is home to three memorial areas to soldiers. Memorial Area Barutana is dedicated to those who died defending the city on September 29, 1991 during the Croatian War of IndependenceCroatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
; Memorial Area Lug is dedicated to Ustashi soldiers killed by Partisans in 1945 and Memorial Area Borik is dedicated to Partisans killed during the Second World War.
Bjelovar hosts the yearly theatre festival „BOK“ (Bjelovarski odjeci kazališta or Bjelovar Echoes of Theatre). The festival was founded and run by Bjelovar actor Goran Navojec and it gathers the selection of best plays performed in Croatia during previous year.
Sport
In the 1970s, Bjelovar was known as the team handballTeam handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
capital of Europe, when its local squad RK Bjelovar
RK Bjelovar
RK Bjelovar is a team handball club from Bjelovar, Croatia formed in 1955. The club currently competes in the Croatian Second League of Handball and the Croatian Handball Cup....
(under the name Partizan) ruled Croatian, Yugoslav and European handball, with its team coming solely from Bjelovar and neighbourhood.