Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod – History, position, perspective
Slavonski Brod is situated on the north bank of the river Sava, on the frontier with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that is the centre of Brodsko-Posavska County. It is the hub of the main road directions – west - east and north - south. The town is situated on the half way between Zagreb and Belgrade, on the edge of Panonian valley, between the hills Dilj on the north and the river Sava on the south. The tracks of Roman period show that here has always been the crossing over the river. The name of the first settlement of todays Slavonski Brod was Marsvnnia (in Roman period), later it has been mentioned as «town», and after that Brod, and later on Brod on the river Sava. Navigation way on the river Sava has been used till today, and parallel with the river Sava through Slavonian valley today we have oil pipeline.
According to the number of the citizen Slavonski Brod is the sixth town in Republic of Croatia and the second in East Croatia. Till 1991 the number of the inhabitants increased for the reason of great increase of business (metal industry «Đuro Đaković», agricultural business «Jasinje», wood industry «Slavonija» and Oriolik, etc.)
The Data of 2001: 64 612 inhabitants (of which 33 727 women and 30 885 men). After the war encreasing of inhabitants, for the reason of refugees from Bosnian Posavina, and 2005 there was about 80 000 inhabitants together with surroundings. There are 58.642 inhabitants, and with those who have registered residence somewhere else there are 60.347 inhabitants. Together with suburbs the number of inhabitants is 64.612.
The settlements in this part of Croatia were here in the period of pre- history for the reason of geographic position, nice continental climate, mould, and nearness of the river Sava. Accordingly, the town got the name «Brod», which firstly meant the place where you can wade over, and the name Brod – means translated Ship.
On the north-east part of the town, on the area of Galovo, a short time ago, a finding place of Starcevacka culture from early Stone age has been found. Apart from the fact that that is a finding place from Stone age, on the area of Northern Croatia, it is very necessary to emphasize that some material rests have been found which confirm that there is 8000 years old settlements on the area of Brod.
The scientist estimate that these are not only the oldest proofs of settlement, but that this is the oldest settlement in the whole Croatia. The finding place is special and attractive for specialists. It is special for the reason that a sod-house for burial, special built, is found here, and that is for the first time in Europe.
The area of Slavonski Brod was good populated through history, and the first historical settlement on this area is from Rome-time, and it is confirmed by archeological findings, and the name Marsonia. It has not been confirmed till now, if it had been a post-station, hosterly or the whole settlement.
The name of the town was mentioned for the first time in bull of Hungarian- Croatian king Bela the IV. 1224. Later, through late middle age and mostly in new age Slavonski Brod was an important fortification in the time of Military frontier, a serial of fortifications on the frontiers of Austria and Turkey. The influence of Turks on this area dominated till the end of 17.century when by conquest of the teritory by Austrian-Hungarian monarchy the situation was changed. In 20 century Slavonski Brod experienced some periods as traffic and industrial center. For the reason of prompt business development in 20.- years of the last century Slavonski Brod was named «Golden period of Brod». During kingdom of Yugoslavia the town changed the name from Brod on the river Sava into Slavonski Brod.
