Although Osijek has been mentioned since the 2nd century BC by finding the Celtic shrine in the lower town, then called Mursa, the earliest mention of the city of Osijek dates back to the 12th century, when the city was a trading place on the route of the old Roman road. Throughout the ages, Osijek was owned by noble families and church institutions. Until the 16th century when the conquerors of the Ottoman Empire arrived in the city and Osijek was handed over without a fight. Later, Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilt it and built the famous 8 km long pontoon bridge over the Drava river and the nearby swamps of Kopački Rit all the way to Darda. To this day, when the river is low in flux, we can see the remains of the famous Suleiman Bridge. After more than 160 years under Turkish rule, the area of the city was conquered by the Habsburg Monarchy. In the 17th century, on the coast of Drava, the new authorities built a military fortification, which consists of today's Old town - Tvrđa, and within the ramparts a city of Baroque houses and art nouveau was formed.