Velika Gorica ( Croatian pronunciation: [ʋêlikaː ɡǒritsa] ) is the largest and most populous city in Zagreb County , Croatia . According to the 2011 census, the city itself has a population of 31,341, and the municipality has a population of 63,517 inhabitants.
48-506: Velika Gorica is the centre of the historical Turopolje region. Franjo Tuđman Airport , the largest and busiest airport in Croatia, is located in the area of Velika Gorica. The name of the city consists of two words. The first one, Velika , is an adjective, meaning 'big'. The second one is Gorica , which in standard Croatian is a diminutive of the word gora 'hill'. However,in the local Kajkavian dialect , gorica means 'vineyard', hence
96-587: A colonnade on the ground floor was built in a Baroque style with elements of the traditional Turopolje architectural style. Assemblies called “spravišća” were once held in the large hall on the upper floor. The rooms next to the hall were archives where the important documents of the Noble Commune were kept. The ground floor at one time housed prison cells. The Museum has a collection comprising some 3,500 objects and over 10,000 photographical records. The Museum library has around 700 volumes on subjects relating to
144-718: A long tradition in Turopolje, since there is a deeply rooted interest in and love for books in this region. The Velika Gorica city library is the descendant of the Reading Room in Velika Gorica, established in 1886. Since October 1999 it has operated independently in two locations: the Central Library at 37 Zagrebačka Street and the Regional Galženica Library at 5 S. Radić Square. Founded in 1960,
192-522: A men's basketball club KK Gorica . HNK Gorica plays its home games at Stadion Radnik , built for 1987 Summer Universiade while NK Udarnik has its own field in Kurilovec neighborhood. Indoor sports are mainly played in the city sports hall. There also three elementary school sports halls in the city that are used by sports clubs for trainings and youth categories. Turopolje Turopolje ( Croatian pronunciation: [tûropoʎe] )
240-797: A military balance of power in the region, and the opposing side had to directly recognize Croatian military power, and this balance of power forced the opposing side to peacefully resolve the reintegration of the Croatian Danube region. Numerous Croatian army units arose from the Croatian National Guard, including: With the end of the Homeland War, the ground forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia begin their transformation, reduction and transition to
288-557: A peacetime organization with the territorial principle of defense. At the end of 2002, the formation of the Croatian Land Army as one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia began. The head of the formation is Lieutenant General Marijan Mareković, who is also its first commander and held this position until March 19, 2007. Shortly after the organization of the HKov unit, in addition to their basic tasks in
336-568: A ruin. It was soon rebuild in stone and became a regular site of assembly of Turopolje noblemen. Wooden chapels from Turopolje and Pokuplje are unique in the world. They can be traced far back in the early Middle Ages , but most of the preserved ones date from the 17th century. Today there are only 11 preserved wooden chapels left, three in Turopolje, two in Vukomeričke gorice and six in Pokuplje. They were built by groups of timber-workers and as
384-506: A rule they were made of oak-tree. There are several small monuments to World War II anti-fascist resistance movement (most famous being The Bomber Man in near city center) and also many monuments to Croatian soldiers who fought in Croatian War of Independence . The city has a monument to soldiers from the city who lost their lives in the Croatian War of Independence . In a competition held among 5,300 European cities, Velika Gorica
432-527: Is a higher education institute, the Velika Gorica University of Applied Sciences . Established in 1960, the People's Open University ( hr : Pučko otvoreno učilište , shortform POU ) began a phase of rich and complex development in its first home, a building which was previously an inn, and which was situated opposite the present-day building of this institution at 37 Zagrebačka Street. In
480-609: Is a region in Croatia between the capital city Zagreb and Sisak . The administrative center of the Turopolje region is the town of Velika Gorica . Turopolje forms part of Posavina , a region south of Zagreb bordering the right banks of the Sava River on the east, and the Vukomericke Gorice hills to the southwest. It extends across an alluvial plain 45 km in length and up to 23 km in width. The area of
528-509: Is a unique wooden monument to human labour, risen up in forest near the city. Monument was risen in 1779 as a symbol of reclaiming the fertile land from forest. It was torn down by the flood in 1914 and restored two years later. Old town Lukavec is a very well preserved fortification first mentioned in 1256 as Caput Lukavec . It was built by wood as a defense from Ottoman invasion . It was first owned by Zagreb noblemen and Turopolje noblemen gained control over castle in 1553 when it already became
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#1732790110488576-411: Is first mentioned as Gorica in 1228. Other settlements include Mraclin (since prehistoric times), Staro Čiče (Bronze Age), Šćitarjevo (Roman empire), Lukavec (defense castle dating to the 15th century), Lekenik, Vukojevac , Peščenica, Buševec, Ogulinec, Vukovina, Poljana Lekenička and Brežana Lekenička. The village of Vukojevac is currently in the middle of an environmental battle in order to reroute
624-415: Is first mentioned in 1228 as a seat of parish. In 1278 noblemen from Turopolje joined into a union called Plemenita opčina turopoljska ("Noble municipality of Turopolje"). Plemenita opčina turopoljska was granted a rule over Turopolje by Croatian monarchs and exists still today with mainly ceremonial and not political role. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Velika Gorica was a district capital in
672-508: Is no wonder it has been constantly inhabited since Neolithic . First major settlement was Andautonia , founded in 1st century where village of Šćitarjevo stands nowadays. It was an important Roman port on Sava river and city on roads connecting Siscia with Emona and Poetovio . The Roman town was large at the beginning of the 5th century. Croats came to these parts in the 8th century and remains from early Croat culture were found in numerous places around city of Velika Gorica. Velika Gorica
720-456: Is planned that these bypasses will relieve the traffic along the overcrowded Velikogorička road, the fastest link between Zagreb and Velika Gorica as of 2007. In the census of 2011, the total population of administrative area of the city (the municipality) was 63,517, in the following settlements : Velika Gorica and surrounding plain area by the Sava river have always been fertile and lush so it
768-445: Is that the name, meaning "Tur field", comes from an old Slavic word "tur" which means Aurochs, an ancient type of cattle with long horns , which was a symbol of fertility and the sun god. These cattle died out in the 16th century. The cattle were closely related to agriculture. Plowing had a symbolic meaning, the fertilization of Mother Earth, so these cattle were often assumed to have "sacred" characteristics. Because of its importance in
816-632: Is the land force branch of the Croatian Armed Forces . It is numerically the largest of the three branches of the Croatian Armed Forces. The HKoV is the main force for the defense of the country against external threats, and in addition to the task of defending the Republic of Croatia , the HKoV also has the task of participating in peace support operations and humanitarian operations as part of international forces, as well as
864-475: Is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Army is responsible for implementing war operations independently and with the support of other branches, leading the fight on land, on the coast and on the islands. In an assumed war or crisis situation, the land forces will act as the backbone and main force for the successful implementation of the defense of their own territory and for participation in operations outside
912-506: The Croatian War of Independence the city played an important role because of two airports in its near distance. Velika Gorica's 153rd brigade of Croatian Army fought on battlefields all around Croatia. Main Velika Gorica's sight is the Turopolje Museum which traces human presence in Turopolje since Neolithic . There are also a number of monuments scattered around the city and its environs. Vrata od krča ("The Timber Gate")
960-608: The Homeland War were the backbone and main bearers of all operations carried out by the Croatian Army. Members of the guard brigades fought on the battlefields throughout the Republic of Croatia during the most difficult battles and decisive moments in the Homeland War, and together with the members of the reserve infantry brigades, which were also founded in 1991, they participated in the battles for Vukovar , Dubrovnik , Zadar , Karlovac, Gospić , Novska and Okučane, in
1008-521: The Zagreb County of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia . The 20th century was by far the most important one in history of Velika Gorica as it grew from a small village of 2,871 inhabitants to an important and one of the largest cities in Croatia with population over 60 thousand inhabitants. Until 1995 Velika Gorica was part of City of Zagreb and since then it has a city status of its own. During
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#17327901104881056-417: The 21st century was most important for urban uprising of Velika Gorica. New central park was created that carries the name of first Croatian president, dr. Franjo Tuđman . Tuđman's park soon became one of the most important urban spaces in Velika Gorica. Sports clubs in Velika Gorica include the football clubs HNK Gorica and NK Udarnik, a men's handball club HRK Gorica, a women's volleyball club OK Azena and
1104-626: The Chief of Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Robert Hranj, spoke about plans to establish a certain operational reserve in the coming period whose units will be smaller, but will be characterized by a higher degree of readiness and develop the ability to perform all types of tasks, from supporting civilian institutions in the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia to combat tasks. Due to Russo-Ukrainian War and intense regional security it has become apparent current Army organization requires significant re-organization. What this re-organization entails
1152-929: The Croatian Army are the Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade which in turn is divided into one tank battalion equipped with M-84A4 Sniper main battle tanks, one armoured battalion supplemented by M-84A4 Sniper main battle tanks as well as M80A1 infantry fighting vehicles and two mechanized battalions armed with M80A1 IFVs. Second major combat units of the Army are Guards Mechanized Brigade divided by three mechanized battalions equipped with Patria CRO armoured personnel carriers and one motorized battalion equipped with Oshkosh M-ATV vehicles. Both Brigades come equipped with one Artillery Battalion, Air Defence Battalion, Engineer Battalion, one Reconnaissance Company, Signals Company, as well as one Logistics Company. Such unique organizational structure of
1200-652: The Podbrežnica settlement (the library). In 1993 the Music School moved to a new building in Kolarova Street where it has remained until the present day. It was on the premises of the People's Open University that many people in Velika Gorica saw their first film or theatre performance, borrowed their first book or attended their first concert or exhibition. There they learned to play their first notes and master
1248-483: The Turopolje Museum is concerned with the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the historic Turopolje, Pokuplje, Posavina and Vukomeričke gorice regions. The Museum is housed in a building dating from 1750, which previously served as the city hall of the Noble Commune of Turopolje. It is situated in the centre of Velika Gorica, on the eastern edge of the main park. This two-storey building with
1296-764: The University has spread out to new locations. The most important step was made in 1980, when the Cultural Centre was built, with an art gallery, an additional library and a chamber hall in Galženica, a part of Velika Gorica. In the late 1980s the University was also using space in the old Secondary School at 5 Zagrebačka Street (the Music School), in the House of Social Protection ( Dom društvene samozaštite ), today’s Fire Brigade building (the radio-station) and in
1344-486: The basics of a foreign language. They entered a disco for the first time in their lives. They learned how to drive a car or heard their own voices on a radio station. Some of them, thanks to this broad spectrum of activities, published their first books or displayed their first exhibitions right here. In recent years, the building of the Open University has been renovated and technically equipped. The philosophy of
1392-548: The battles for the preservation of state borders in Posavina, Banovina, Lika, in the east in Slavonia and in the south in the hinterland of Zadar, Sibenik and Dubrovnik. Professional and reserve members of the ground forces of the Croatian Army participated and were the main force and support in the preparation and implementation of operations such as the "Spaljena Zemlja" operation in 1992, the " Maslenica " operation in 1993, and
1440-429: The city's name literally translated is 'big vineyard'. This is because this area has produced wine since ancient times. Velika Gorica also has (or had) names in other languages, notably Hungarian Nagygoricza and German Gross-Gorica . The City of Velika Gorica, located 16 km (9.94 mi) south of Zagreb , is the centre of an area covering 552 square kilometres (213 square miles). Up until 1990 Velika Gorica had
1488-538: The country in the collective defense system of the NATO alliance. In war situations, the Croatian Army is responsible for the implementation of joint defensive and offensive operations in the defense of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia and participation in the defense of the state and allies in accordance with Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty. The Croatian Army has contributed to
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1536-735: The defense of the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia, they also receive the tasks of participating in NATO-led international operations and UN missions. In 2007, the Croatian Army abandoned the corps structure and the territorial principle of defense through a reorganization, and from four brigades two were established with their commands in Vinkovci and Knin. The Croatian Army is an all-volunteer force numbering 7,000 active-duty personnel and 150 civil servants and employees as of 2020. The Army can also call on 6,000 reserve personnel who serve up to 30 days every year. Two major combat formations of
1584-680: The first units of the ZNG followed the "Bloody Easter" in 1991, when it became obvious that the Republic of Croatia would have to defend itself with organized military forces. The first units of the National Guard Corps are considered to be the first units of the ground forces of the Croatian Army, and from their active cores came the guard brigades: 1st Guards Brigade "Tigrovi" , 2nd Guards Brigade "Gromovi" , 3rd Guards Brigade "Kune" and 4th Guards Brigade "Pauci" , units which during
1632-700: The following NATO missions since 2015: Source: The Croatian Army was involved in the following UN missions since 2017: In the past, the Croatian Army has also contributed to: The Croatian Army celebrates its day on May 28 in commemoration of the day when members of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th brigades of the Croatian National Guard were lined up and sworn in at the NK Zagreb stadium in Kranjčevićeva Street in Zagreb. The organization of
1680-400: The institution has been to listen attentively to the needs of the local populace and design programmes in accord with their changing requirements. Today, the People's Open University seeks to satisfy the diverse cultural needs of Velika Gorica's citizens through its theatre, gallery, concerts, publishing, cinema and other activities that encourage people to meet and exchange ideas. A great deal
1728-452: The liberation operations in 1995 which finally led to the liberation of the occupied territory and the establishment of the integrity of the Republic of Croatia. With their strength and the art of warfare, they made the main effort and celebrated as winners in operations " Flash ", "Summer '95" and "Storm" . After the brilliant victory in "Storm", operations " Mistral " and " Southern Move " followed. The final operations in 1995 established
1776-416: The life of the plowmen, "tur" became the basis for numerous toponyms. However, as recently as the 16th century, Turopolje was called Campus Zagrebiensis , i.e. "Zagreb field", or just Campus (field). At that time the name was replaced by "Tur field", i.e. Turopolje. The A11 ( Zagreb - Sisak ) highway is planned to become the western bypass of Velika Gorica. State route D31 will be the eastern bypass. It
1824-682: The major combat formations, to be organized as a small, highly capable force with an emphasis on mobility, versatility and quality, has as a clear aim of being able to be deployed rapidly and operate with high degree of flexibility as part of a larger multinational combat force. For such an organizational structure to work, it must be deployed with high level of training and equipped with modern weapons systems that put emphasis on precision, quick mobility and interoperability with other NATO partners. To that end, Croatian Army has also been extensively training with its NATO partners in number of yearly exercises such as "SHIELD", “Immediate response”, “SAVA STAR” among
1872-459: The others, as well as being part of NATO Enhanced Forward Presence . Reserve units were one of the foundations on which the Croatian Army was built in the Homeland War. The Home Guard was restored and became a separate part of the Croatian Army as a reserve unit and was subjected to a unique command system. After the war, the Home Guard was disbanded and demobilized, and in 2003, with
1920-486: The proposed highway between Zagreb and Sisak. There is a pig breed from the region named the Turopolje pig . 45°39′N 16°09′E / 45.650°N 16.150°E / 45.650; 16.150 This Central Croatian geography article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Croatian Army Bosnian War : The Croatian Army ( Croatian : Hrvatska kopnena vojska or HKoV )
1968-523: The region occupies an area of about 600 km , with an average elevation of 110 m above sea level. Turopolje is divided into two halves by the river Odra and its tributary Lomnica . The name Turopolje stems from the Croatian and Old Slavic word Tur ' aurochs ' ( Bos primigenius ), a type of wild cattle present in the area during the Middle Ages . Velika Gorica is the largest settlement and
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2016-402: The region's history. At the end of the 1970s in particular, moderately intensive development of Velika Gorica's city centre and the surrounding districts took place. In an attempt to accommodate the need both for green space and for an aesthetic dimension to development, over the city history a number of parks have been created, most of which contain pieces of public sculpture. The beginning of
2064-445: The reorganization of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Home Guard was abolished. After Croatia had only active units of a total of about 16,000 people for several years after joining NATO, in 2014 it was decided to start re-organizing the reserve component. In 2018 six reserve units were first formed: 2 artillery and missile regiments, 1 air defence regiment, 1 logistics regiment, and 1 battalion engineering and communications each. In 2020,
2112-409: The status of a municipality and after that it became a part of Zagreb. Velika Gorica gained city status in 1995. The area of the old Municipality of Velika Gorica was split into three municipalities – Kravarsko , Orle and Pokupsko . Velika Gorica is the largest settlement and the administrative centre of the traditional Turopolje region. Regarding the Turopolje name, among the most common opinions
2160-502: The task of preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergency situations in the country caused by natural and technical accidents and disasters. The HKoV has units of combat branches (Mechanized and Armoured Mechanized infantry), combat support branches (artillery, air defense, engineering, communications, nuclear-biological-chemical defense, military police and military intelligence units) and services support (supply, transport, maintenance and sanitation). The basic mission of HKoV
2208-532: The year of its establishment the institution as connected with the already existing Public Library, and three years later, in 1963, by the Cinema Company “Prosvjeta”. Together, they conducted their activities in the former House of Cooperatives “Zadružni dom”, where the present administration is situated and a part of the POU's activities are still performed today. By initiating and developing numerous activities
2256-436: Was achieved between 2006 and 2010, when actress Senka Bulić served as Head of the POU and brought the University's theatre, Scena Gorica, to the attention of the theatre-going public throughout the country. During her tenure Klub 100, a multimedia space for the development of urban culture, was additionally founded and became an important part of the cultural landscape for young people especially. Libraries and reading rooms have
2304-700: Was awarded the Silver Flower of Europe – an award presented by the European Association for Flowers and Landscape Entente Florale . The award was accepted on 9 September 2004, in the French town of Aix-les-Bains. Velika Gorica has four elementary schools ( Eugen Kvaternik , Eugen Kumičić , Juraj Habdelić and Nikola Hribar ) and four high schools (Vocational School Velika Gorica, Gymnasium Velika Gorica, Economy School of Velika Gorica and Aviation Technical School Rudolf Perešin). In addition, there
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