Middle Ages
Osijek from the Middle Ages was developed in western side of today’s Tvrđa (Fortress). The oldest written documents were mentioned for the first time in the year 1196, when the King Emerik confirmed the rights to Cisterian abbey Cikador to collect fare for trade and transport by ship.
In the Middle Ages Osijek consisted of the citadel and "varoš" and it was owned by several feudal families. The family Korog ruled in the city for the longest period of time, from 1353 till 1472. There are only foundations of a big church with the Roman portal and Gothic parts that is preserved from the Middle Ages. A tombstone of Filip Korog, with his family coats of arms and the inscription, made of marble, is a finding of great significance.
The Turks conquered the city on 8 August, 1526. They robbed and burnt down the city and after that they started with the construction of an oriental settlement. During Osman’s occupation the city consisted of the inner fortress and the part of town under a fortified place that was protected by palisades. According to the census from the year 1579 there were 7 "mahalas" in the city, 4 in the city itself and 3 in the part under a fortified place. The biggest "mahala" was Mahala of the mosque that belonged to the late Kasim-pasha (it consisted of 53 houses) and Mahala of the mosque that belonged to Mustafa-pasha (it consisted of 111 houses). In the part of town under a fortified place there was also a Christian mahala, where there were 26 houses.
During Osman’s period Osijek was well-known for its wooden bridge, which was 8 km long and considered to be a world wonder of that time. It was built across the river of Drava and across the swamp in Baranya, from Osijek to Darda. The bridge was built in a few weeks and about 25 000 people were involved in the construction. Osijek, as the biggest city in Slawonia, was very important trade and traffic centre and the point that you simply could not avoid on your way between East and South. At the end of 17. century the fights for freedom started throughout Europe – it was the time, when many "vedutas" were printed and among them there was also Osijek with its famous bridge.