An archeological park and tourist facilities and attractions are being built to complement the Vučedol Culture Museum on the historic Vučedol archaeological site, Croatia. The project will contribute to economic development in the city of Vukovar and in Vukovar-Srijem County.
- 04 July 2021
‘The Vučedol Archeological Park will create conditions for a significant improvement in the tourism and economic potential of the entire region.’
Work on the Vučedol Archaeological Park project started in July 2018 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The park, with the Vučedol Culture Museum at its centre, will become the focal point for cultural and economic development in the Danube region.
On completion of the project, the expected increase in visitors to Vukovar-Srijem County and the city will lead to growth in tourist spending on local goods and services such as accommodation, restaurants, souvenirs, traditional crafts and food products.
Upgraded tourist facilities
The project will see the construction of a parking area for visitors, a passenger dock on the Danube River, educational, hiking and biking trails, a Vučedol farm and a reconstructed Vučedol settlement, a research centre and exhibition area, a planetarium and museum square, and a revamped restaurant offering Vučedol dishes and drinks.
On completion, it is expected that 37 new jobs in the tourism sector will be created. Visitor numbers are projected to increase from 60 000 to more than 90 000 a year.
The project will help to disseminate knowledge about the ancient Vučedol culture and preserve its heritage. Along with increased visibility of the archeological site for tourists, the culture museum will become a focal point for prehistoric archaeology.
Depopulation and unemployment
Vukovar and the county are plagued with ongoing depopulation and a low standard of living compared with other parts of Croatia. Between 2001 and 2011, Vukovar’s population fell from 31 670 to 27 683, with a similar trend in Vukovar-Srijem County. This project is part of efforts to reverse the trend.
The development index for Vukovar is 70% of the Croatian average, making it one of the least developed regions. Unemployment in Vukovar-Srijem County (June 2021) was 10.9 % against Croatia’s average unemployment rate of 7.5 %.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Vučedol Archaeological Park” is EUR 15 495 376, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 13 171 069 through the “Competitivenes and Cohesion” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.