Opuzen ( it, Forte Opus) is a small town in

Dubrovnik-Neretva County The Dubrovnik-Neretva County (; hr, Dubrovačko-neretvanska županija, ) is the southernmost county of Croatia, located in south Dalmatia. The county seat is Dubrovnik and other large towns are Korčula, Metković, Opuzen and Ploče. The Munici ...

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

. The town is located upstream from the mouth of the river

Neretva The Neretva ( sr-cyrl, Неретва, ), also known as Narenta, is one of the largest rivers of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. Four HE power-plants with large dams (higher than 150,5 metres) provide flood protection, power and water s ...

, in southern

Dalmatia Dalmatia (; hr, Dalmacija ; it, Dalmazia; see #Name, names in other languages) is one of the four historical region, historical regions of Croatia, alongside Croatia proper, Slavonia, and Istria. Dalmatia is a narrow belt of the east shore of ...

. This settlement is known as a major center of

tangerine The tangerine is a type of citrus fruit that is orange in color. Its scientific name varies. It has been treated as a separate species under the name ''Citrus tangerina'' or ''Citrus'' × ''tangerina'', or treated as a variety of ''Citrus retic ...

production in Croatia. Opuzen got its name from its fortress, Fort Opus. The fortress was built by the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...

in 1684. Ruins of the fortress that remain 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 known as Posrednica. The

Republic of Ragusa hr, Sloboda se ne prodaje za sve zlato svijeta it, La libertà non si vende nemmeno per tutto l'oro del mondo"Liberty is not sold for all the gold in the world" , population_estimate = 90 000 in the XVI Century , currency = ...

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 Important cultural and sport events related to Opuzen and the local countryside are "The Melodies of the Croatian South" Opuzen-www.klek.info
/ref> 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 war soldier, Stjepan Filipović, was born in Opuzen in 1916. The local school was named after him between 1942 and 1992.

Demographics

The total population of Opuzen is 3,254 (census 2011), in the following settlements: * Buk Vlaka, population 492 * Opuzen, population 2,729 * Pržinovac, population 33

References

External links

* {{Authority control Populated places in Dubrovnik-Neretva County Cities and towns in Croatia