Vukovar Water Tower (Vukovarski vodotoranj)
The Vukovar Water Tower (Vukovarski vodotoranj), one of Croatia’s most powerful symbols of remembrance and resilience, recorded its most successful year to date in 2025, achieving record-breaking visitor numbers and revenue growth.
During 2025, the iconic landmark welcomed 133,219 visitors, representing a 12.14% increase compared to the previous year. Revenue also rose significantly, reaching €1,087,853.52, an increase of 11.84% year-on-year.
Since opening to the public, the Vukovar Water Tower has now been visited by a total of 579,238 people, underlining its enduring importance as both a memorial site and a leading tourist attraction.
Record-Breaking Attendance in November
A standout moment of the year came on 18 November, the Day of Remembrance for the victims of Vukovar, when the Water Tower recorded its highest single-day visitor numbers to date.
Over the extended commemorative weekend, more than 11,000 visitors passed through the site, the highest attendance ever recorded in such a period, according to the City of Vukovar.
These figures further confirm the strong connection between memorial tourism and the city’s identity, with the Water Tower continuing to play a central role in preserving collective memory.
National Recognition for Cultural Tourism
Adding to the successful year, the Vukovar Water Tower was named a finalist for the Cultural Tourism Award at the 2025 Croatian Annual Tourism Awards. The nomination recognises the quality, authenticity and growing national and international recognition of this unique cultural and historical attraction.
Strong Business Performance and Local Focus
Positive results were also achieved through Najpar d.o.o., the company managing operations at the site, which recorded a 30.17% increase in revenue. The newly opened souvenir shop proved particularly successful, with a strong emphasis on products made by local producers, further supporting the local economy.
High levels of visitor satisfaction continue to confirm the Water Tower’s development as a modern, sustainable and competitive tourism product, while remaining one of the most important symbols of both Vukovar and Croatia’s cultural heritage.
Mayor Highlights Tourism Growth and Future Plans
Vukovar Mayor Marijan Pavliček expressed his satisfaction with the results, emphasising the broader growth of tourism across the city.
“Tourism indicators in Vukovar are recording continuous growth year after year. In 2025, we achieved around 5% more arrivals and overnight stays compared to the previous year, alongside an increase in accommodation capacity. Today, the city offers more than 600 beds,” Pavliček said.
He highlighted the Water Tower as a key driver of tourism development, noting that 2025 marked one of its strongest years since opening.
“I am particularly pleased that the highest visitor numbers in the history of the Water Tower were recorded during the Days of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar. This confirms the deep connection between memorial tourism and the identity of our city,” he added.
Looking ahead, Pavliček expressed optimism as Vukovar approaches the 35th anniversary of the Day of Remembrance, believing visitor numbers could surpass existing records once again.
He also stressed the importance of further accommodation development, identifying the need for a new hotel, including the search for a reliable investor for Hotel Dunav, to support congress and business tourism.
Successful Events and Upcoming Programmes
Director of the Vukovar Water Tower, Mirela Janković, also reflected on an exceptionally successful year.
“These results confirm the continuous interest of visitors and the strengthening position of the Water Tower as one of Croatia’s most important tourist and memorial symbols,” Janković said.
She highlighted a series of successful events held throughout the year, including Sve zajedno Hrvatsko naj, the Vukovar Film Festival, and the Vukovar 198 Memorial Race, all of which enriched the programme and attracted large audiences.
Since opening, more than 570,000 visitors have visited the site, demonstrating its lasting value and strong recognition.
Janković also announced that the Night of Museums will take place on 30 January, inviting citizens and visitors to attend, with free entry for all.