Municipality of Nuštar: Cultural heritage in the Vuka Valley

• The municipality lies in the far east of Vukovar-Srijem County, between Vinkovci and Vukovar.
• At the parish church of Duha Svetoga, the tower dates from 1840 and the nave was built in 1860.
• Every year, from late September to mid-October, the municipality holds commemorative events marking the Days of Defense and the Days of the Municipality.

Nuštar lies in the Vuka Valley and along the Vinkovci–Vukovar road and railway line. Together with its location between the two cities, this provides a clear geographical context. The Vuka Valley adds a landscape reference to help you get your bearings.

The parish church of Duha Svetoga offers a clear sequence of construction dates: its tower dates from 1840, and the nave was built in 1860. The church houses organs by G. Peter Titza, made in Vienna in 1863. This makes it possible to trace the chronology of the building and its furnishings: the nave followed the tower, and the organs were added three years later. The castle chapel of Uznesenja sv. Križa also has its own church history: until 1860, it served as Nuštar’s parish church.

At Dvorac Gosseau-Sandor-Khuen, the oldest Baroque section was built by Count Maximilian Eugen Gosseau d’Heneff. This adds another perspective on the parish church’s history and the area’s past: the castle’s development and the person credited with its oldest Baroque section. Churches in other settlements in the municipality also have precisely dated histories. The church Crkva Male Gospe in Marinci was completed and consecrated on September 8, 2005. In Cerić, the church Crkva sv. Katarine was completed in 2008, after the previous church was destroyed in 1993. These two timelines give the churches different historical reference points.

At the Nuštar–Dvorac archaeological site, a child aged between zero and five was buried with a complete, 39-piece belt set. The age and the complete set draw attention to the context of the burial, not just to a single object.

Another find context is Grave 102 at the Avar-period site of Nuštar. The grave goods include ceramic vessels and an iron ring. The site has a digital search by grave number. If you are interested in a particular grave, you can search by its number and consider the objects as part of the same grave context.

The Vuka is not just part of Nuštar’s geographical setting. The former lordly hunting ground of Zverinjak lies on a larger island surrounded by a marshy old meander of the Vuka. This description connects the river with a distinctive landform and the area’s former use.

The estate grounds behind the castle also have their own history of development: almost the entire area was converted into a large park. A former grain store in the estate park was converted into a stable, and a circular riding arena was laid out in front of it. These changes add the former design of the estate to the history of the churches and archaeology. They show how Nuštar’s story can also be explored through the use of the castle grounds and park.

Every year, from late September to mid-October, the municipality holds commemorative events marking the Days of Defense and the Days of the Municipality. Exact program dates may vary from year to year. If you plan to travel during this period, check the dates for the relevant year in advance.

Discover more destinations: Municipality of Ilok, Municipality of Bošnjaci, Municipality of Vođinci, Municipality of Nijemci, Vinkovci, Trpinja and Vukovar.

Which construction dates define the parish church of Duha Svetoga?

The tower dates from 1840, and the nave was built in 1860. The organs by G. Peter Titza were made in Vienna in 1863.

What is known about the burial at the Nuštar–Dvorac site?

A child aged between zero and five was buried there with a complete, 39-piece belt set.

When are the Days of Defense and the Days of the Municipality held?

The municipality holds them annually from late September to mid-October, with commemorative events. Exact program dates may vary.

For the overview of the wider region: Vukovar-Srijem.