Opuzen
Encyclopedia
Opuzen is a small town in Dubrovnik-Neretva County
in Croatia
. The town is located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) upstream from the mouth of the river Neretva
, in southern Dalmatia
. This settlement is known as a major center of tangerine
production in Croatia.
The total population of Opuzen is 3,264 (census 2011), in the following settlements
:
Opuzen got its name from its fortress, Fort Opus. The fortress was built by the Republic of Venice
in 1684. Ruins of the fortress remains are called Recycle and are part of the old town wall. The center of the old part of Opuzen is a classic Roman Forum. In the Middle Ages, Opuzen was mentioned as Posrednica. Republic of Ragusa
in the 14th century had major trading markets (mainly trading in salt) in Opuzen. The markets got burnt down in 1472. The first Community School was opened in 1798 and was the only school in the Neretva region until 1845.
In the town is located Opuzen's Parish church of St. Stephen and it is in the main square. Among others serving the parish (priests) were Peter Kovacic, Ante Klaric, Jozo Bebic, Mate Caleb, Vinko Sanader, Stjepan Jerkovic, Ante Salacan, Nikola Juračić, Michael Prović, Jure Bjeliš and nun
Mila Deak from Opuzen.
Important cultural and sport events related to Opuzen and the local countryside are "The Melodies of the Croatian South" and Opuzen Boat Marathon. The marathon is held on the river Neretva and about 35 boats participate each year.
Opuzen has several sports clubs:
The Partisan
war hero, Stjepan Filipović
, was born in Opuzen in 1916. The local school had been named after him between 1942 and 1992.
Dubrovnik-Neretva County
The Dubrovnik–Neretva County is the southernmost Croatian county located in south Dalmatia. The county seat is Dubrovnik and other large towns are Korčula, Metković, Opuzen and Ploče...
in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. The town is located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) upstream from the mouth of the river Neretva
Neretva
Neretva is the largest river of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. It has been harnessed and controlled to a large extent by four HE power-plants with large dams and their storage lakes, but it is still recognized for its natural beauty, diversity of its landscape and visual...
, in southern Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
. This settlement is known as a major center of tangerine
Tangerine
__notoc__The tangerine is an orange-colored citrus fruit which is closely related to the Mandarin orange . Taxonomically, it should probably be formally named as a subspecies or variety of Citrus reticulata; further work seems to be required to ascertain its correct scientific name...
production in Croatia.
The total population of Opuzen is 3,264 (census 2011), in the following settlements
Naselje
Naselje is a settlement in Croatia, usually translated as settlement. It is the smallest unit of Croatian territory. Individual settlements are by and large referred to as selo , while naselje is a statistical and administrative category. The units of local government in Croatia, cities and...
:
- Buk-Vlaka, population 494
- Opuzen, population 2,732
- Pržinovac, population 33
Opuzen got its name from its fortress, Fort Opus. The fortress was built by the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
in 1684. Ruins of the fortress remains are called Recycle and are part of the old town wall. The center of the old part of Opuzen is a classic Roman Forum. In the Middle Ages, Opuzen was mentioned as Posrednica. Republic of Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
in the 14th century had major trading markets (mainly trading in salt) in Opuzen. The markets got burnt down in 1472. The first Community School was opened in 1798 and was the only school in the Neretva region until 1845.
In the town is located Opuzen's Parish church of St. Stephen and it is in the main square. Among others serving the parish (priests) were Peter Kovacic, Ante Klaric, Jozo Bebic, Mate Caleb, Vinko Sanader, Stjepan Jerkovic, Ante Salacan, Nikola Juračić, Michael Prović, Jure Bjeliš and nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
Mila Deak from Opuzen.
Important cultural and sport events related to Opuzen and the local countryside are "The Melodies of the Croatian South" and Opuzen Boat Marathon. The marathon is held on the river Neretva and about 35 boats participate each year.
Opuzen has several sports clubs:
- NK Neretvanac - founded in 1932
- RK Opuzen - established in 1977
- ZRK Neretvanka Opuzen - founded in 1989
The Partisan
Partisan
-Political matters:*Partisan In politics, partisan literally means organized into political parties. The expression "partisan politics" usually refers to fervent, sometimes militant, support of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea...
war hero, Stjepan Filipović
Stjepan Filipovic
Stjepan Filipović was a Croatian Partisan who was executed during World War II and posthumously declared a People's Hero of Yugoslavia....
, was born in Opuzen in 1916. The local school had been named after him between 1942 and 1992.