Pakrac
The town of Pakrac is located in the western part of Slavonia, within Požega-Slavonia County, nestled between the Papuk and Psunj mountains. Thanks to its exceptional geographical position, well-developed transport connections, and rich cultural and natural heritage, Pakrac is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for visitors.
This charming town boasts a long and rich history, full of fascinating stories and remarkable heritage. It’s up to you to discover everything our small town has to offer for an unforgettable experience!
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the history of pakrac
Pakrac has a long and diverse history, shaped over the centuries by its favorable environment and strategic position at the crossroads of important historic routes.
The first traces of settlement date back to prehistoric times, and it is believed that during the Roman period Pakrac was the site of the Roman station Mannieana.
During the Middle Ages, Pakrac grew under the influence of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, thanks to its strategic location on the route to the Holy Land.
The Order built a large stone fortress, one of the most impressive in this part of Slavonia. Sadly, the last remnants of the Pakrac fortress were destroyed in the mid-20th century. Today, ongoing archaeological excavations in the city center reveal the remains of a beautiful Gothic church and other fascinating architectural structures.
In the 13th century, Pakrac hosted the first Croatian mint, where the Slavonian Banovac was minted, featuring a marten for the first time. This figure eventually inspired the name of the Croatian kuna, the former currency of Croatia.
Following the Turkish invasions, Pakrac served briefly as the seat of the Sandžak, and after it was liberated, control of the town changed hands several times.
In the first half of the 18th century, the manor belonged to Baron Franjo Trenk, who built his castle on the site. The Counts Jankovići Daruvarski, who became the manor’s later owners, played a crucial role in shaping the city over the centuries, influencing its appearance and fostering its economic, social, and cultural development.
For a whole century, the Counts Janković owned the Pakrac manor and shaped an exceptional Baroque urban core, featuring the Janković Manor complex, the Old Town Hall and the Spahija Cellar. They also established two significant religious buildings: the Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1763) and the Church of the Holy Trinity, restored in 1896 by Herman Bollé in a historicist style following a destructive fire.
After the sale of the manor, Pakrac was transformed into a trading center at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, primarily through the construction of buildings by wealthy merchants and craftsmen. The Art Nouveau style of these buildings brought the modern spirit of Europe to the city, which, during this period, became a lively center inhabited by residents of various nationalities from Austria-Hungary, mainly merchants and craftsmen.
Pakrac has long been an important educational hub, thanks to the Teacher’s School located in the historic Trenk Castle. The town is also famous for its lively fairs, which drew merchants and visitors from all over Croatia and beyond.
Pakrac also played a key role as a health center, with the General Public Land Hospital originally housed in Trenk Castle. In 1898, following the construction of a new, modern building, the hospital was relocated to the southern part of the city and renamed the Royal Land Public Hospital.
As one of the first cities in Croatia to have electric lighting, thanks to the Munjara Power Station built in 1906, Pakrac experienced significant growth. The flourishing wood industry and its railway links to the rest of Europe further boosted the city’s economic progress.
Following the Second World War, Pakrac experienced economic growth, but at the same time, valuable cultural heritage was often neglected. The Homeland War began in the city on March 1, 1991, and the devastation and hardship endured by its inhabitants left a lasting mark on Pakrac.
Despite its challenges, Pakrac is a city focused on the future while honoring its past and cultural heritage.
Ongoing research and preservation efforts continue to uncover new and fascinating insights into the city’s earliest history.
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