CROATIA

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Metkovic (Croatia, South Dalmatia) is the biggest city in the lower Neretva area. Metkovic has 15 000 inhabitants. City is first time mentioned in court document from 1422. In that time, Metkovic was a small agricultural and casttle-raising town. After the falls of Bosnia and Herzegovina, under Turkish rule in 1482, Metkovic also fells in 1490. Neretva valley was opened to the world during short French authority.

Frenchs build up roads and economy situtation has started to develop. Metkovic was under Austrian authority from 1814 to 1818 and it developed into the tipical little merchant town, especially when they built port office. Then they made first cadastral maps, regulation of navigation on the river Neretva and reclamations of swamps. First public school was opened in 1845 and first post office was opened in 1849.

In the 19th century, relationship between Austria and Turkey was changed. Abolishing of a stronger development of economy was prevented due to strict duties and quarantine measures. Since then, Metkovic based economy on an agriculture and commercial and traffic trades and catering. Later, Metkovic port became most important port in Dalmatia, especially after the railway-track had been built. That was the first port that had a railway.

First Branch office of the insurance bank "Slovenija" was built in 1873. In 1875, the emperor Joseph F. visited Metkovic, and he promised to build large bridge over the river Neretva to improve Metkovic infrastructure so it can became center of the county. Also, he promised to build tobacco plant. Main ship lines were connected to Split, Metkovic and Trieste. Some of the ship agencies were: Lloyd, Rismondo Brothers and Manos. One of the first hotels was built in Metkovic, it was Austria Hotel, built in 1890.

During the World War I, economical growth of Metkovic was interrupted. Commercial traffic was reduced and many social and commercial activites died out. Between two world wars, an economy were recovered. Port in Metkovic were unsufficient for all traffic, so they built port in Ploce.

Church of Saint Ilija is main historical monument in Metkovic, and church is situated on the Predolac. Saint Ilija church was built in 1874. It is a stone building with 3 naves in Romanesque and neogothic style. From it you can see nice view of the whole Neretva valley. Altar of the church was built by Bilinic workshop.

OLD POPULAR BOATS

Almost all people here own a boat. Smaller boat are called "trupa" and bigger boats are called "lada". Boath boats are made of wood. Trupa boats are very light, so it can be carried by two men. Boats are used for fishing, transtportation, catching frogs, leaches, birds... Small boats are designed for one person. Second person can sit too, but then they have to take care who is sitting were, if both go to front, they will fall into the water.

Bigger boats were used to transport food, animals, furniture, also for celebrations, such as weddings and funerals. Lada can carry 35 peoples. Durability of boats depends on their owners and the quality of wood. Some of the Lada`s can last up to several hundred of years. Lada`s were very stable on a water. Few accident happens, such as boat full of beach stones from Strug in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Boat turn over in front of the Metkovic port.