In the far east of the country, overlooking
the river Danube, is located the beautiful royal town of Ilok who enchants with
its rich cultural heritage. For its heritage is associated with the tradition
of vine cultivation which dates back to Roman times. Witnessesto this ancient
history are Iloks’ wine cellars.
The
most famous owner of the town of Ilok was Nikola Iločki (1410th-1477th),
Croatian ban, of Slavonia and Mačva, Duke of Transylvania and king of Bosnia.
During his reign, Ilok experienced its "golden age", and the town had
fortified core walls that are largely preserved today.
Zorislav Horvat, architect (Institute for
Protection of Cultural Monuments) states the following: "Nikola Iločki
(1410th-1477th) was very crucial, living in the medieval society and the fact that
he was the ban of Slavonia and Bosnian king, etc., was a key figure in the
development of Ilok in mid-15th century. So, Ilok became the capital of one
kingdom, a palace - the royal court. Ilok’s fort therefore was not town not
burg, but already established royal seat of the palace, royal chapel, church,
Franciscan monastery, old Burg, mercantile and similar facilities. The
settlement - civitas - was outside the royal fortress, and was especially
fortified. The similarity how city is settled resemble to Prague's Hradcany or
Budim royal fortress, and even the village that lays on the other side of
Danube, todays’ Backa Palanka, named in the 15th century, - is called Little
Pesta!"
Nicholas also rebuilt and upgraded Franciscan
monastery and church. St. John Capistrano O.F.M. from the 14th century, died
and was buried in Ilok. Ilok estates in the 17th century gets noble family
Odescalchi. Nephews of Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi, the powerful aristocrats
from Italy upgrade the castle and stylistically changes it several times into
the baroque-classicist style. Below the castle, Odescalchi have expanded and
arranged, for that time, very modern wine cellars and gave powerful momentum to
viticulture and winemaking. It is interesting that the cellar was built in two
levels. One level is dug deeper, and it has the ideal temperature for storing
white wine, throughout the year, whether it is summer or winter. The second
level is dug some more, and has the ideal temperature for aging red wines. At
this deeper level, Riesling and Traminer are still kept, for the upscale
market, therefore the most expensive.
The descendants of the family Odescalchi
are part of the Italian nobility, still living in the Odescalchi Castle near
Rome.
Traminer cultivated in these cellars was
served for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth at the English court.
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