300 Years Of Our ParishChurch and Downtown

Emperor Karlo VI. ruled Austria and Hungary at the begining of the 18th century. His daughter Marija Terezija came to the Habsburg throne. The Croats and the Hungarians supported her to become the Queen of Austria, Hungary and Croatia. She ruled for 40 years (1740. – 1780.). Her son Josip II. ruled from 1780. – 1790.

How it all started

Late in the 17th century after the Turkish army was defeated at the battle at Wien in 1683. a lot of people from Bosnia, Serbia, Austria (40%) and Hungary moved to Downtown. They founded a settlement called Donja Varoš.

Turkish wave

At the begining of the 18th century there were 1200 inhabitants. Primary school was attended by about 50 pupils. In 1737 there were about 2500 residents and about 452 homes.

Inhabitants

Catholic population built the Church in 1714. The Church of the blessed name of Virgin Mary was consecrated in 1732. There was only one nave. After that it was expended. The first Chaplain was Matija Vucić (1706. – 1714.). The main altar was dedicated to Virgin Mary. Later in 1762 the tower was built with four bells which were 350 killos heavy. The biggest bell was 60 killos heavy. In 1754 there was a fenced graveyard around the Church.

Catholic Church

In 1744, residents of Donja Varoš built a beautiful baroque chapel Saint Rocco. It is a votive Church. St. Rocco is a patron saint of plague.There was a monument built across the street which was also dedicated to plague. The house of Ignjat Kragujević was built the same year. It has been restored and now it’s a historical monument.

St. Rocco Chapel

In 1750 Orthodox Church was built (Crkva Uspenije Presvete Bogorodice – Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Muses). The most famous Downtown Graveyard was first mentioned in 1701. The Catholic Chapel was built in 1870. The Orthodox Chapel was built in 1882.

Catholic and Orthodox Church

Izradili: Matko Grgić, Petar Bubalo, David Bartula i Marko Kojić6.a (2013./14.)