Rose Castle
photos by Vladimir Zivkovic
photos by Vladimir Zivkovic
Ružica town is situated in the northeast mountain range of Papuk on 418 m above sea level, above the village Duzluk, few km from the town of Orahovica. It represents the largest preserved fortress complex in the area of Slavonia, and one of the largest in Croatia.
Ružica town is located on the strategic position, from which one can control large part of Slavonian Podravina. Nearby the Town, the communication line from Podravina to Požega valley (road Kutjevo-Orahovica) passes. Due to that, the town had great importance during turbulent events in late Middle-ages (12th to 15th century).
The name of Ružica Town is not entirely studied. Some authors bring it in the relation with wild rose, and the name of nearby village Duzluk (from Turkish word 'duzem' which means floral, of a rose, or girl's decoration). Others think, what is more probable, that the name was taken out of Reholcz, what was the middle-age name for Orahovica town, because during the middle ages, town of Ružica belonged to property of Orahovica. This property is first mentioned in year 1228. The fortress itself is first mentioned in 1357, as a royal property, and later it was ownership of different aristocrats, among which are Nikola Kont, Lovro Iločki, Ladislav More, brothers Pomanicki, and others.
Ružica town, as well as entire surrounding, comes under Turks occupation in 1543. Throughout the entire period under Turk's occupation, Ružica town was a military fort. Probably for some time (especially in 17th century), it was a place where sanjak-beys from Požega resided, while in some documents there is a mention of Orahovica sanjak-beys, but this is about the other centre of Požega sanjak.
In 1687, the Turks left Orahovica. In the first detailed census in Slavonia (1698) Orahovica town is described in details. The condition of town was damaged, but still usable. The 18th century was a period of stability and the state with strong central authority, so the forts of a middle-ages type lost their importance. This also happened with Ružica town. In the period from 18th to 20th century, numerous owners of Orahovica property changed, and the Ružica town was an integrative part of this. Among other owners were baron Cordua, baron Fleischmann, earls Pejačević, Dimitrije Mihalović and baron Gutman.
The famous historian Đuro Szabo says: 'If someone asks who, or what is Ružica, one cannot answer in one word. It is not a town (germ. burg), not a court (germ. Schloss), not a fortress (germ. Festung), but all together'. Ružica town has a shape of ellipse, and is consisted of strong entrance defender, town chapel, and middle part of the town, pentagon fortress and thick walls that surround the town. The town is a bond of rough building of thick, large walls, and towers, and gentle flagrant-like, stone plastics that decorated the inner of the walls - like 'the beauty and the beast' in one. One can approach the forest by taking a light walk through the forest form the direction of Orahovica lake, well-known weekend resort of local population and hunters. Below the Ružica town there is a natural elevation from which, when the weather is favourable, one can see entire Panonian valley.
Ružica town is located on the strategic position, from which one can control large part of Slavonian Podravina. Nearby the Town, the communication line from Podravina to Požega valley (road Kutjevo-Orahovica) passes. Due to that, the town had great importance during turbulent events in late Middle-ages (12th to 15th century).
The name of Ružica Town is not entirely studied. Some authors bring it in the relation with wild rose, and the name of nearby village Duzluk (from Turkish word 'duzem' which means floral, of a rose, or girl's decoration). Others think, what is more probable, that the name was taken out of Reholcz, what was the middle-age name for Orahovica town, because during the middle ages, town of Ružica belonged to property of Orahovica. This property is first mentioned in year 1228. The fortress itself is first mentioned in 1357, as a royal property, and later it was ownership of different aristocrats, among which are Nikola Kont, Lovro Iločki, Ladislav More, brothers Pomanicki, and others.
Ružica town, as well as entire surrounding, comes under Turks occupation in 1543. Throughout the entire period under Turk's occupation, Ružica town was a military fort. Probably for some time (especially in 17th century), it was a place where sanjak-beys from Požega resided, while in some documents there is a mention of Orahovica sanjak-beys, but this is about the other centre of Požega sanjak.
In 1687, the Turks left Orahovica. In the first detailed census in Slavonia (1698) Orahovica town is described in details. The condition of town was damaged, but still usable. The 18th century was a period of stability and the state with strong central authority, so the forts of a middle-ages type lost their importance. This also happened with Ružica town. In the period from 18th to 20th century, numerous owners of Orahovica property changed, and the Ružica town was an integrative part of this. Among other owners were baron Cordua, baron Fleischmann, earls Pejačević, Dimitrije Mihalović and baron Gutman.
The famous historian Đuro Szabo says: 'If someone asks who, or what is Ružica, one cannot answer in one word. It is not a town (germ. burg), not a court (germ. Schloss), not a fortress (germ. Festung), but all together'. Ružica town has a shape of ellipse, and is consisted of strong entrance defender, town chapel, and middle part of the town, pentagon fortress and thick walls that surround the town. The town is a bond of rough building of thick, large walls, and towers, and gentle flagrant-like, stone plastics that decorated the inner of the walls - like 'the beauty and the beast' in one. One can approach the forest by taking a light walk through the forest form the direction of Orahovica lake, well-known weekend resort of local population and hunters. Below the Ružica town there is a natural elevation from which, when the weather is favourable, one can see entire Panonian valley.
