Vukovar, Croatia

Capital City

The population of 23,175 belies Vukovar's troubled history - this war-torn city in eastern Croatia remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, with bureaucratic headaches and lingering tensions a persistent reality for residents. Despite efforts at reconciliation, the aftermath of the brutal 1991 siege has left scars, with separate schooling for Croat and Serb children and regular incidents between the two communities. Bitter winter temperatures and the damage inflicted during the conflict also pose challenges. Vukovar is a city that requires resilience and an openness to navigating complex realities - it is not for the faint of heart.