Found less frequently by visitors than it deserves, the town of Drniš is nevertheless not unrecognised. It is known as the childhood home of Croatia’s most famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović and the town museum holds many of his works. And of all the wonderful prosciutto produced in Croatia, only four types are protected at an EU-level, under their distinct place of origin. That produced in Drniš is one of them.
The winds that attack Drniš and its settlements come from almost every direction, just like the numerous invading forces – Turks, Italians, French, Habsburgs, Venetians, even the Yugoslavian National Army – who have previously stormed the town. From Velebit and the Dinaric Alps comes the cold Bura, from the Adriatic, the warmer Mistral (or Donjak). The force of wind can be very strong, although the houses and vegetation are used to withstanding such. The devastation left by the aforementioned armies has been considerably worse – Drniš has been rebuilt several times, and visible scars remain.
Drniš is a small town with great musical tradition, cherished by many cultural associations and bands that keep the original musical expression, performing traditional dances and in traditional costumes.
The tradition is woven into male and female folk costumes, and its elements were a means of communication full of symbolic meaning, in the old days. Traditional clothes for women consist of: scarf, white shirt with decoration, dress, apron, belt, bag, mantle without sleeves, socks that reach knees, decorated around ankles and traditional leather shoes. Traditional clothes for men consist of traditional Drniš hat, shirt, waistcoat decorated with filigree buttons, jacket with sleeves, belt, trousers, socks that reach knees or ankles, traditional leather shoes and long mantle with a hood.
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE – “BUNJA” AND “SUHOZID”
Bunja is a stone-built shelter for occasional use by farmers and sheepherders who hide in them during bad weather. Bunja is usually circular in shape with a dome, and experts agree that most of them were built in the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century. It is common that the shelters do not have doors and windows, and the interior is made of a small room in whose center is an open fireplace. They are small, construction technique is very simple, and the material is completely natural. In addition to shelters, let’s mention the symbols of architecture of Dalmatia, the so-called „suhozidi“- dry stone walls, which are common in the Drniš area.
Flora and fauna of Drniš area, which includes the Krka National Park and the Čikola Canyon as an area of protected natural values, is very rich in endemic species.
By its richness (221 species) and structure, fauna of the area around Krka River is one of the most important ornithological reserves in Croatia, and ranks among the most valuable ornithological areas in Europe. The canyons of Krka and Čikola are home for many rare and endangered species of birds including the golden eagle, falcons, owls, swallows and wetland birds such as wild ducks and geese. In the freshwater part of the Krka there are 17 species of fish, of which seven are endemic.
Oak, holly and mastic tree, hornbeam, ash and maple are common in forests. Lower vegetation consists of shrubs from the family of heather, juniper, brambles and the like. On the rocky grasslands Bee Orchid – endangered and strictly protected – can still be seen. Let us mention two perhaps best known plant species that thrive in this area: fig and olive.
