Ilok – bathed in sun, Danube and wine!

The old royal city of Ilok is located in the very east of Croatia and developed on the Danube, between the slopes of Fruška Gora in the historical region of Syrmia. I recently had the opportunity to visit it, so here are my impressions.

Coming towards Ilok and driving along the mighty Danube, it was great to see the endless small hills with vineyards where the famous Traminer is grown and for which it is worth traveling to this place. However, what impressed me most was the historical core of Ilok.

Ilok, Photo: Adria fun

The name Ilok was first mentioned in 1267 as Wjlok, Wylhoc and Iwnlak. The most famous owner of Ilok was Nikola Iločki (1410 – 1477). A powerful Croatian-Hungarian nobleman and pretender to the royal crown, count of Croatia, Slavonia and Mačva, Duke of Transylvania and King of Bosnia.

During his reign, Ilok experienced its “golden age”, and the city core was fortified with walls that are largely preserved today.

Ilok, Photo: Adria fun

Nicholas also renovated and expanded the Franciscan monastery and the 14th-century church of St. John of Capistrano. St. John of Capistrano, the apostle of Europe and a famous fighter against heresy and Ottoman wars, died and was buried in Ilok.

Ilok, Church of St. John Capistrano and Franciscan Monastery, Photo: Adria fun

It is a bit magical to walk through this beautiful historic center that rises above the mighty Danube and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area and neighboring Bačka Palanka in flat Vojvodina. There, just below the walls, is a paradise for fishermen, and I watch them enjoying the marshy part of the Dunavac.

Ilok, Wetlands around the Danube, Photo: Adria fun

Ilok also has its pier where passenger ships sailing the Danube arrive, but unfortunately, there were none on that sunny day when I was in Ilok.

Ilok, pier, Photo: Adria fun

And next to the pier is the Hotel Dunav, which was under renovation at the time, but its splendid and already renovated terrace is something you absolutely must not miss. Here, coffee or any other drink has its own added value and the tranquility that the Danube brings.

While sitting on the terrace, your gaze will wander over the surrounding area, and you won’t know whether the view is better of the old town on the hill, the Danube, or the gazebo at the nearby mouth of the Drljana. Here are some pictures so you can decide for yourself!

I’m sure this won’t be my last visit to Ilok, and next time I will surely check out that wine tour, which I didn’t have time for. But I invite you to come to this beautiful area because you won’t regret it!