CASTLES OF CROATIA - ODESCALCHI ILOK

CASTLE OF ROMAN COUNTS ODESCALCHI - ILOK

Ilok is the most eastern town of Croatia. Because of the similarity of its position many travel writers of the past centuries used to call it the other Budim. In antic times there stood Cuccium, roman border station in Pannonia Lowland that divided western from eastern civilisation.
Ilok is mentioned already in the 13^th century. In late middle ages it was among the biggest towns in Slavonia which in 1525 got also its own statute (the only one known in continental Croatia) decorated with miniatures by Julije Klović (Julius Clovius).
After liberation from Turkish rule the king Leopold I of Habsburg donates Ilok to Livio I. Odescalchi and awards him the title of duke (Dukatus Sirmiensis). Ilok remained in possession of the family Odescalchi two and half centuries (1697-1944). This is an ancient Italian family which gave also one Pope (Innocent XI, 1676-1689), and whose descendants live today in Rome. The castle served to Counts Odescalchi as summer residence – full of artistic objects, books, stylistic furniture, Chinese porcelain and hunt trophies. Shortly before the Second World War the family Odescalchi transported to Rome a part of castle's inventory. The objects that remained were mostly destroyed or taken away during and after the War.
Medieval wall, castle, and Franciscan monastery with the church are today the most important buildings of the historic centre of Ilok. Medieval castle complex, which consisted of the feudal seat (Upper/Old Town) and of the craftsmen and tradesmen's settlement (Outer/Lower Town), was renovated during the 18^th century in baroque style. In the north-western corner of the Upper Town there stood a medieval castle (old castle). On walls/foundations of the castle in the 18^th century today's castle of the dukes Odescalchi was built, which during the 19^th century saw numerous historicist modifications. The castle was renewed and adapted to museum's and gallery’s needs for the first time in 1968 and then in 2010-2012.

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