CASTLES OF CROATIA - TURKOVIĆ

JESUIT CASTLE / CASTLE TURKOVIĆ - KUTJEVO

Kutjevo is remembered for once exemplary manor and the Kutjevo wine which has a tradition reaching far into the Roman period. Kutjevo marks more than seven and a half centuries of its history connected with the estate and the castle. The history of Kutjevo and the estate begins in 1232 with the founding of the Cistercian monastery. Endangered by Turks, the Cistercians left Kutjevo in 1529 and the Turks demolished the Cistercian church and monastery. After departure of Turks in 1686 Jesuits came to Kutjevo and with the income earned from the estate supported the Gymnasium in Požega. After abolition of the Jesuit Order in 1773 Kutjevo is on auction sale; there exchanged various proprietors and in 1882 it becomes ownership of the family Turković who possessed it until 1945. In the time of the family Turković the estate of Kutjevo was among the most prosperous estates in Croatia. For its merits in promoting the estate's economy the family Turković was awarded the title of baron in 1912.
Today's castle in Kutjevo is a part of once Jesuit complex that consisted of a monastery church, residence castle, outbuildings and parks and was built in 1735 on the remains of the Cistercian Abbey. The particular look to the main façade gives the bell tower in background. In front of the south facade the historicist park was built at the end of the 19^th century. In the time of the family Turković the castle was renewed between 1886 and 1888 in a historicist style. At the beginning of the 20^th century another renewal was done under guidance of the architect Viktor Kovačić. In September 1918, at the time of the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the castle was plundered and burnt. It was renewed again in 1925. After the Second World War it was used as office. There have been attempts in the 90-ties to adapt it for other purposes but without success.

Mladen Obad Šćitaroci, Ph.D. Professor
Bojana Bojanić Obad Šćitaroci, Ph.D. Professor