Slunj
Encyclopedia
Slunj is a town in the mountainous part of Central Croatia
, located along the important North-South route to the Adriatic Sea
between Karlovac
and Plitvice Lakes National Park, on the meeting of the rivers Korana
and Slunjčica
(also called Slušnica by local people). Slunj has a population of 1,653, with a total of 5,019 people in the municipality (2011) and is the cultural and social center of the region of Kordun
in the vicinity to Bosnia and Herzegovina
. Administratively, the town is part of Karlovac County
.
, Slovin was first mentioned in the 12th century. The old fort was property of the Frankopan
(Hungarian Frangépan) family since the 15th century, joined by an old Franciscan
monastery from the same period. Later, this town has been called Slunj. In the 16th century the town was ravaged by the Ottoman wars and turned into a military outpost of the Military Frontier
, but by the end of the 17th century the settlement was rebuilt into the Slunj as it exists today. The castle has been developed to a fortress and served as headquarter for the commanding general of this area (see Stari grad Slunj). After the Treaty of Sistova
in 1791 people increasingly began to re-settle in this area.
During the short French governance period from 1809 until 1813, Slunj encountered an economic boom as streets, storage facilities and mills were built and as vineyards and mulberry trees were planted. At this point of time, the Croatian language
has become official language of the country. The residence of the former governor general of the French Illyrian Provinces, marshal Auguste de Marmont, still exists.
The town of Slunj was first mentioned in a written document by the chronicler Janez Vajkard Valvasor
who reported about the fortified town of Slunj, a bridge and a mill in 1689. The first illustration of the mills of Rastoke
dates back from 1789. It was a copper engraving that has been added to a description by Belsazar Hacquet
. At the end of the 19th century, Stjepan Širola wrote the following about this place: "The surroundings of Slunj are downright romantic […]. They are crowned by the magnificent waterfalls of the Slunjčica river by which even not outspoken nature lovers will be captivated. Indeed, Slunj with its romantic surroundings and the silver waterfalls of the Slunjčica represent a true nature gem astonishing even to foreigners."
In 1963, the Austrian writer Heimito von Doderer
published the novel “The Waterfalls of Slunj“ (German “Die Wasserfälle von Slunj“) which features a climactic sequence set in this locality. During the 20th century scientific research studies were carried out in the Slunj area and particularly its Rastoke district. During the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century Rastoke has been the center of social life in this region. With the development of the electric mill and massive emigration after the Second World War the economic significance of the mills in Rastoke has declined drastically.
s and the well-preserved corn mills
(dating back to the 18th century) in the picturesque lower part of the town, called Rastoke
(referring to the branching of the rivers). At Slunj, the Slunjčica
river (also called “Slušnica“ by local people) flows over several waterfalls and cascades into the Korana
river. Here is also the location of the 22 water mills of Rastoke.
serves as a ground for the development of the town of Slunj and the surrounding region of Kordun. As a place of autochthonous ecologic and ethnographic significance, Rastoke is developing as a tourist center characterized by its traditional architecture, gastronomic pleasures and specific local cultural customs. Rastoke is again becoming an important inter station on the way to or from the Adriatic Sea
worth visiting. The area around Slunj offers many activities for recreation, such as swimming, canoeing, rafting, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, hiking, riding, or even the visiting of caves (e.g. the karst caves Baraćeve špilje at nearby Rakovica
). In the proximity to Rastoke there is a natural bathing site at the Korana river which is very popular among local residents. Children enjoy playing at the shallow cascades of the Korana river.
, most of Slunj's population is Croatian (87.0%) followed by Serbs
(9.4%) and, Bosniak and a small number of other ethnic groups.
in the Slunj municipality is:
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 ...
, located along the important North-South route to the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
between Karlovac
Karlovac
Karlovac is a city and municipality in central Croatia. The city proper has a population of 49,082, while the municipality has a population of 59,395 inhabitants .Karlovac is the administrative centre of Karlovac County...
and Plitvice Lakes National Park, on the meeting of the rivers Korana
Korana
The Korana is a river in central Croatia and west Bosnia and Herzegovina. The river has a total length of and watershed area of .It rises in the eastern parts of Lika, creates the world-famous Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Downstream from Plitvice Lakes the Korana river forms a 25...
and Slunjčica
Slunjcica
The Slunjčica is a river, which flows through the Kordun region in central Croatia. It partly flows underground through porous karst and surfaces in the vicinity of the city of Slunj. At Rastoke the Slunjčica leads into the river Korana, which reaches this point after passing the Plitvice Lakes...
(also called Slušnica by local people). Slunj has a population of 1,653, with a total of 5,019 people in the municipality (2011) and is the cultural and social center of the region of Kordun
Kordun
The Kordun region is a part of central Croatia from the bottom of the Petrova Gora mountain range, which extends along the rivers Korana and Slunjčica, and forms part of the border region to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The southern border of Kordun touches the Lika region...
in the vicinity to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. Administratively, the town is part of Karlovac County
Karlovac County
Karlovac County is a county in central Croatia, with the administrative center in Karlovac.The city of Karlovac is another fort from the times of the Military Frontier...
.
History
An old fortification of the Frankopans, built during the wars against the TurksOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, Slovin was first mentioned in the 12th century. The old fort was property of the Frankopan
Frankopan
The Frankopans are a Croatian noble family. Also called Frankapan, Frangepán in Hungarian, and Frangipani in Italian.The Frankopan family is the leading princely Croatian aristocratic family which dates back to the 12th Century and even earlier to Roman times...
(Hungarian Frangépan) family since the 15th century, joined by an old Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monastery from the same period. Later, this town has been called Slunj. In the 16th century the town was ravaged by the Ottoman wars and turned into a military outpost of the Military Frontier
Military Frontier
The Military Frontier was a borderland of Habsburg Austria and later the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, which acted as the cordon sanitaire against incursions from the Ottoman Empire...
, but by the end of the 17th century the settlement was rebuilt into the Slunj as it exists today. The castle has been developed to a fortress and served as headquarter for the commanding general of this area (see Stari grad Slunj). After the Treaty of Sistova
Treaty of Sistova
The Treaty of Sistova ended the Austro-Turkish War between the Ottoman Empire and Austria. It was signed in Sistova in present-day Bulgaria on August 4, 1791....
in 1791 people increasingly began to re-settle in this area.
During the short French governance period from 1809 until 1813, Slunj encountered an economic boom as streets, storage facilities and mills were built and as vineyards and mulberry trees were planted. At this point of time, the Croatian language
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
has become official language of the country. The residence of the former governor general of the French Illyrian Provinces, marshal Auguste de Marmont, still exists.
The town of Slunj was first mentioned in a written document by the chronicler Janez Vajkard Valvasor
Janez Vajkard Valvasor
Johann Weichard Freiherr von Valvasor or simply Valvasor was a Slovenian nobleman, scientist and polymath, and a fellow of the Royal Society in London.-Biography:...
who reported about the fortified town of Slunj, a bridge and a mill in 1689. The first illustration of the mills of Rastoke
Rastoke
Rastoke is the historic center of the Croatian municipality of Slunj. This old part of Slunj is known for its well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunjčica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place. The Korana river originates at Plitvice Lakes...
dates back from 1789. It was a copper engraving that has been added to a description by Belsazar Hacquet
Belsazar Hacquet
Belsazar de la Motte Hacquet, was an Austrian physician and scientist who was born in Le Conquet, France. He studied in Vienna, and was a surgeon during the Seven Years' War. Later he was an instructor of anatomy and natural sciences in Laibach , and in 1788 was a professor at the University of...
. At the end of the 19th century, Stjepan Širola wrote the following about this place: "The surroundings of Slunj are downright romantic […]. They are crowned by the magnificent waterfalls of the Slunjčica river by which even not outspoken nature lovers will be captivated. Indeed, Slunj with its romantic surroundings and the silver waterfalls of the Slunjčica represent a true nature gem astonishing even to foreigners."
In 1963, the Austrian writer Heimito von Doderer
Heimito von Doderer
Heimito von Doderer was a famous Austrian writer.- Life and work :...
published the novel “The Waterfalls of Slunj“ (German “Die Wasserfälle von Slunj“) which features a climactic sequence set in this locality. During the 20th century scientific research studies were carried out in the Slunj area and particularly its Rastoke district. During the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century Rastoke has been the center of social life in this region. With the development of the electric mill and massive emigration after the Second World War the economic significance of the mills in Rastoke has declined drastically.
Places of interest
Slunj is famous for its little waterfallWaterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
s and the well-preserved corn mills
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
(dating back to the 18th century) in the picturesque lower part of the town, called Rastoke
Rastoke
Rastoke is the historic center of the Croatian municipality of Slunj. This old part of Slunj is known for its well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunjčica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place. The Korana river originates at Plitvice Lakes...
(referring to the branching of the rivers). At Slunj, the Slunjčica
Slunjcica
The Slunjčica is a river, which flows through the Kordun region in central Croatia. It partly flows underground through porous karst and surfaces in the vicinity of the city of Slunj. At Rastoke the Slunjčica leads into the river Korana, which reaches this point after passing the Plitvice Lakes...
river (also called “Slušnica“ by local people) flows over several waterfalls and cascades into the Korana
Korana
The Korana is a river in central Croatia and west Bosnia and Herzegovina. The river has a total length of and watershed area of .It rises in the eastern parts of Lika, creates the world-famous Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Downstream from Plitvice Lakes the Korana river forms a 25...
river. Here is also the location of the 22 water mills of Rastoke.
Tourism
Tourism slowly begins to redevelop in this region of Croatia. RastokeRastoke
Rastoke is the historic center of the Croatian municipality of Slunj. This old part of Slunj is known for its well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunjčica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place. The Korana river originates at Plitvice Lakes...
serves as a ground for the development of the town of Slunj and the surrounding region of Kordun. As a place of autochthonous ecologic and ethnographic significance, Rastoke is developing as a tourist center characterized by its traditional architecture, gastronomic pleasures and specific local cultural customs. Rastoke is again becoming an important inter station on the way to or from the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
worth visiting. The area around Slunj offers many activities for recreation, such as swimming, canoeing, rafting, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, hiking, riding, or even the visiting of caves (e.g. the karst caves Baraćeve špilje at nearby Rakovica
Rakovica, Croatia
Rakovica is a village in south-central Croatia, in the region of Kordun south of Karlovac and Slunj, and north of the Plitvice Lakes. The total municipality population is 2,623 , while the village itself has 356 residents. According to that census, 91% are Croats and 3,58% are Serbs. Due to...
). In the proximity to Rastoke there is a natural bathing site at the Korana river which is very popular among local residents. Children enjoy playing at the shallow cascades of the Korana river.
Population
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
(9.4%) and, Bosniak and a small number of other ethnic groups.
Settlements
The list of settlementsNaselje
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...
in the Slunj municipality is:
- ArapovacArapovacLapovo is a village situated in Lazarevac municipality in Serbia....
, population 4 - Bandino Selo, population 6
- BlagajBlagajBlagaj is a village-town in the south-eastern region of the Mostar basin, in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It stands at the edge of Bišće plain and is one of the most valuable mixed urban and rural structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished from other similar...
, population 29 - Bukovac Perjasički, population 3
- Crno Vrelo, population 6
- Cvijanović Brdo, population 2
- CvitovićCvitovićCvitović is a village in the municipality of Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
, population 278 - Čamerovac, population 54
- Donja Glina, population 28
- Donja Visočka, population 9
- Donje Primišlje, population 37
- Donje TaborišteDonje TaborišteDonje Taborište is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D1 highway....
, population 201 - Donji Cerovac, population 129
- Donji Furjan, population 60
- Donji Kremen, population 44
- Donji Lađevac, population 46
- Donji Nikšić, population 192
- Donji Poloj, population 10
- Donji Popovac, population 17
- Dubrave, population 21
- Glinsko Vrelo, population 44
- Gornja Glina, population 144
- Gornja Visočka, population 16
- Gornje Primišlje, population 12
- Gornje Taborište, population 227
- Gornji Cerovac, population 94
- Gornji Furjan, population 86
- Gornji Kremen, population 65
- Gornji Lađevac, population 53
- Gornji Nikšić, population 47
- Gornji Popovac, population 174
- GrobnikGrobnikGrobnik can refer to:* Toponym of Grobnik near Rijeka, Croatia** Battle of Grobnik field** Automotodrom Grobnik* Grobnik, Istria County, Croatia - a settlement near Pićan* Grobnik, Karlovac County, Croatia - a settlement near Slunj...
, population 20 - Jame, population 28
- Klanac Perjasički, population 6
- KosaKosa, also known as Hongan-ji Kennyo , was the 11th head of the Hongan-ji in Kyoto, and Chief Abbot of Ishiyama Hongan-ji, cathedral fortress of the Ikkō-ikki , during its siege at the end of the Sengoku Period...
, population 15 - Kosijer Selo, population 5
- KutanjaKutanjaKutanja is a village in the municipality of Donji Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
, population 2 - Kuzma Perjasička, population 12
- Lađevačko Selište, population 11
- Lapovac, population 36
- Lumbardenik, population 140
- Mali Vuković, population 125
- Marindolsko Brdo, population 59
- MiljevacMiljevacMiljevac is a village in the municipality of Nevesinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, population 10 - Mjesto Primišlje, population 49
- Novo SeloNovo SeloThe phrase Novo Selo means "new village" in several Slavic languages: Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian. Settlements in Europe known as Novo Selo include:-In Bulgaria:* Novo Selo, Kyustendil Province, Kyustendil Province...
, population 67 - PavlovacPavlovacPavlovac can refer to several places:In Bosnia and Herzegovina*Pavlovac, Banja Luka*Pavlovac, PaleIn Croatia*Pavlovac, Bjelovar-Bilogora County, a village in the Veliki Grđevac municipality*Pavlovac, Karlovac County, a suburb of Slunj...
, population 35 - Podmelnica, population 161
- PoljePoljeA polje is a large flat plain in karst territory, with areas usually 5 to 400 km². The name derives from the Slavic languages and is a cognate with the English word field.-In geology:...
, population 29 - Rabinja, population 0
- RastokeRastokeRastoke is the historic center of the Croatian municipality of Slunj. This old part of Slunj is known for its well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunjčica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place. The Korana river originates at Plitvice Lakes...
, population 50 - Salopek Luke, population 17
- Sastavak, population 14
- SlunjSlunjSlunj is a town in the mountainous part of Central Croatia, located along the important North-South route to the Adriatic Sea between Karlovac and Plitvice Lakes National Park, on the meeting of the rivers Korana and Slunjčica...
, population 1,653 - SlunjčicaSlunjcicaThe Slunjčica is a river, which flows through the Kordun region in central Croatia. It partly flows underground through porous karst and surfaces in the vicinity of the city of Slunj. At Rastoke the Slunjčica leads into the river Korana, which reaches this point after passing the Plitvice Lakes...
, population 5 - SnosSNOSThe Slovenian National Liberation Committee was formed as the highest governing organ of anti-fascist movement in Slovenia during World War II...
, population 8 - Sparednjak, population 3
- Stojmerić, population 3
- Šlivnjak, population 17
- Točak, population 70
- Tržić Primišljanski, population 20
- Veljun, population 114
- Veljunska Glina, population 16
- Veljunski Ponorac, population 12
- Videkić Selo, population 20
- Zapoljak, population 8
- Zečev Varoš, population 23
Football
Although Slunj is very small, it has many sport clubs. Most famous are the football club NK Slunj and MNK Drenak. There are two football fields in Slunj. One is situated in the center of Slunj and popularly called Gradsko igralište (Town field) and the other is Zubac, which is the official turf of NK Slunj.Koranski susreti
On the last day of "Dani grada Slunja" (festivity called Days of the city of Slunj), which usually take place at the beginning of August, games are organized on main bathing area on the river Korana. Participating teams compete in many games like swimming and snorkeling and many other.Notable people
- Milan NeralićMilan NeralicMilan Neralić was a Croatian fencer who competed in the late 19th century and early 20th century for Austria-Hungary....
(famous fencer and winner of the Bronze Medal at the Olympic Summer Games in Paris in 1900
See also
- Gothic statue "Mother of God of Slunj" (Majka Božja Slunjska) in the Votive Church of the TrsatTrsatTrsat is part of the city of Rijeka, Croatia. It has a historic castle or fortress in a strategic location and several historic churches. The Croatian noble Prince Vuk Krsto Frankopan is buried in one of the churches. Trsat is a steep hill, 138 m high, rising over the gorge of the Rječina river,...
place of pilgrimage - Daniel Freiherr Peharnik-Hotkovich