The Danube tourism potential of Vukovar.
Will Croatia and Serbia, after almost two and a half decades, reach an agreement on the border issue or will eventually decide on solve the matter at the arbitral tribunal, is undoubtedly an important issue for the people of Vukovar. The Serbian side considers the middle of the Danube as the border, while the Croatian side wants to use the cadastral boundaries, reports Tportal on August 30, 2015.
But, citizens of Vukovar are not sitting with their arms folded while waiting for a solution. What the two state governments could not solve has been worked out by the local authorities. The issue of the border between Croatia and Serbia near Vukovar has been provisionally resolved by the agreement between Vukovar and Bač municipalities nine years ago. People of Vukovar can go to the island in the middle of Danube, and they do not need to carry any special documents.
The Vukovar river island was once a wild, neglected and inaccessible island, but now its sandy beaches are full of people. Summer fun is in full swing, people are playing cards on the beach while boats arrive minute by minute. The island is a popular resort, not only for the citizens of Vukovar, but also for people from other surrounding towns, Osijek, Županja, Vinkovci, Slavonski Brod. There are about four thousand daily visitors, while on weekends that number rises by several thousands more.
“We don’t care about the sea, this is pure pleasure. Everything is close at hand. We cook various dishes, beans, goulashes, fish stews, barbeques and grilled fish. We bring tents and spend the night here. This is particularly interesting for us, because during the previous years, before the agreement was reached, we had to leave the island at 8 pm, when the police patrols would warn us”, explained Anđelko Leko from Vukovar.
Rade Vuletić from Vukovar and his girlfriend Đurđica have decided to combine sea and river vacations. “We plan to spend a vacation at sea, but we come here almost every day, especially when the temperatures are high and being in the city is unbearable. There are organized transport boats so it is not a problem to come to the island. Along the river is a sandy beach, and there is also a wooded section where you can sit on benches, make barbecue and hang out”, said Rade.
Sport fishing association Danube is taking care of the island. According to Ivica Franić, president of the association, each summer season is preceded by nearly a month of work. They are bringing sand to the island, collecting leaves, removing old willow trees and planting the new ones. In collaboration with some 90 divers from all over Croatia, last year they cleared the river. “There is a lot of work to be done because the island has as area of 32,000 square metres”, said Franić. He pointed out that the island is free from politics and is open for citizens of all nationalities. There are no incidents, especially not among the young people who are unburdened by politics.
On the island, there are two courts for beach volleyball, exercise equipment, a cafe and an ice cream shop. The prices are affordable. For example, a good burger costs only 12 kuna. “Camping is free, while barbecues can be made even after 8 pm, provided that the rules are respected and other people are not disturbed. Anyone can find something for themselves, whether it’s beach volleyball or swimming at night. Sometimes, as many as several hundred people spend a night here”, said Franić.
