CITY OF METKOVIĆ
It is the second largest city in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It is located on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the surrounding settlements of Vid, Prud, Dubravica and Glušce, its area is approximately 51 km2.
Climate
Located in the south of Croatia, it is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, providing a pleasant stay throughout the year. Summers are warm, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35°C, encouraging a variety of events and activities, such as festivals and concerts. Winters are mild, averaging 5 to 15°C, with more frequent rain, but still pleasant temperatures. The city offers a special peace in winter, highlighting the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The Neretva River, which flows through Metković, further enriches the climate, creating a microclimate. Metković, with its kind weather, invites visitors to explore natural beauties, cultural landmarks and local atmosphere throughout the year.
Flora and fauna
Along the banks of the Neretva, migratory birds dance in the sky, while waterfowl find their home in the abundance of water. The variety of Mediterranean plants and fragrant herbs adds a special charm to the landscape, while the forest around Metković provides a home for numerous indigenous species. The Neretva River, the lifeblood of this area, revives the diversity of the fish world, making it an exceptional habitat. Carp, perch and trout are just some of the inhabitants of its waters. The Neretva is not only a source of food, but also a natural treasure that promotes the preservation of flora and fauna
Agriculture
The Neretva Delta, with its marshy soil, impractical for farming, required an innovative approach to agriculture. The river would carry away the fertile soil, leaving only a small area for cultivation in a narrow strip along the riverbed. Creating arable land was challenging and time-consuming, especially with the process of dredging – digging channels and raising the soil level. This laborious work, comparable to mining, was carried out by about thirty laborers with hoes and special shovels. They dug channels perpendicular to the river course, allowing the soil level to be raised above the tide. Dredging, in addition to physical strength, required skill, but workers often fell ill and died young, exposed to the humidity, sweltering heat and stale air. This difficult process, carried out from dawn to dusk, provided Neretva laborers with access to arable land, ensuring minimal conditions for agriculture in the challenging delta environment.
Economy
The economy of Metković has always been based on trade, crafts, agriculture and service industries. The Port of Metković, once an important port in southern Croatia, today transports cement from the Split basin. The banks of the Neretva allow the docking of smaller ships on the left side and merchant ships on the right. Along with trade and agriculture, catering and tourism are becoming increasingly important sectors. The city offers a rich gastronomic offer with an emphasis on fish specialties. The growing popularity of safari rides on traditional Neretva boats attracts tourists, while the future of tourism is also seen in the large number of bird lovers. Construction activities are also very developed in Metković.
Sport
Metković lives for sports, and the Metković handball club has achieved exceptional success, including winning the EHF Cup in 2000. Football remains an integral part of the city, with NK Neretva and NK Metković. The Neretvanski gusar rowing club, the Metković basketball club, and the successful BK Metković bocce club also contribute to the city's sporting spirit. In addition, tennis, karate, and mountaineering are also popular among local clubs. The Boat Marathon, a sports and tourism spectacle, further enriches Metković's sports scene, attracting the attention of both the local community and tourists.
Culture
The cultural life of Metković is strongly connected to the City Cultural Center, a monumental building designed by architect Aleksandar Freudenreich. Various spaces, such as the theater hall, summer theater and exhibition hall, allow for events such as theater performances, literary promotions and folklore performances. The amateur theater in Metković has been operating since 1875, with performances such as Dundo Maroje and Posljednja Zrinska. The Metković Cultural and Artistic Association preserves the tradition of folklore heritage and organizes the folklore festival Na Neretvu misečina. The city brass band, founded in 1886, has made a significant contribution to cultural life, and Klement Visković donated funds for the construction of the Music House.
Hunting and fishing
What could man, settling in this region, do other than hunt and fish, when nature so selflessly offered him its abundance of birds and fish?! In the modern Neretva people, those who have not completely alienated themselves from the ancient way of life, you will discover incredible agility, an almost animalistic ability to move silently and invisibly through this extremely complicated space, and an unusually sharp power to detect the most hidden signals of the wilderness. Properties that cannot be fully understood if one does not also acknowledge the long-standing heritage, the centuries-old mixing of human blood with the "blood of the swamp".
Vessels
The Neretvanin traditionally navigated the river using a khupa, a light and shallow vessel created from a modification of the ancient monoxil. The khupa allows for easy navigation through narrow channels and easier transportation over dry land. These traditional vessels, although practical, carried cargo, and the jendecari, their rowers, faced strain and health challenges. Under the khupa, the Neretvanin performed various activities such as fishing, working in the fields and transporting livestock. Khupa also served as shelter from the weather and had cultural importance, participating in weddings and funerals. The expression “Nema za Neretva što je lađa” clearly indicates the importance of the lađa in the daily life of this region. The lađa carried various cargoes, including valuable goods, and were the central element of wedding processions and funerals.