Vukovar, Croatia is a wonderful, fascinating, tragic place.  In 1991, in near by Borovo Selo what was may have been a  prank ended up with a handful of dead Serbs and Croats (pronounced Crow-ATs).  The war then started for Croatia's independence from Yugoslavia.  Vukovar was the site of some of the most intense fighting.  It was surrounded by the JNA (Yugoslav National Army) which flattened the town.  The Croats defended, but it was a lost cause.  The world was watching Dubrovnik and no one noticed the destruction of what was once the breadbasket of the whole region.  

I lived in Vukovar in May and June of 1998, and returned in September, 1998.  I visit frequently as I have many Serb and Croat friends.  I tried to show not only destruction, but the beauty of the area too.  Comments will be sparse here, as the pictures speak for themselves.  Please note a correction below.  

Click on any picture to see a full sized JPEG and use the back button in your browser to return.  All photos are Copyright, 1998,1999, 2000, Jon Newstrom.  All Rights Reserved.

This one is worth looking at the larger image.  Look at the Graffitti.

Karen, Joe, and Amy at the famous Vukovar Water Tower.

Old and New buildings side by side.

The Danube (Dunav) river near Ilok, Croatia

I made a mistake, and had incorrectly identified this picture.  I thought I had used a reliable source.  I was wrong.  I apologize to anyone effected by my mistake. 

It is a private family chapel.

A new shot; notice the street light a sign of reconstruction.

Before the war this was a department store

Below is a typical house.  Below right is yours truly with the staff of Radio Dunav.

A pharmacy is in the building behind the photographer, so I call it Pharmacy Street,  Street names were worthless at that time.

The Dunav River, Serbia is the far bank.