Donđivić Fence
In the heart of Croatia’s National Park Kornati lies a living testament to the indomitable spirit of craftsmanship and determination—Donđivić’s Fence. This awe-inspiring masterpiece stands as a tribute to the unwavering commitment of two brothers, Nikola and Roko Donđivić, who embarked on this Herculean endeavor in the tumultuous years between two world wars. Nikola, a mere 12 years old, and Roko, 20 at the time, embarked on a journey that would span two decades of relentless toil. Devoid of their own vessel, they traversed the azure waters from their humble hometown of Murter to the remote Kornati archipelago. Their livelihood was forged on an annual pilgrimage to harvest the elusive Atlantic bonito. This venture occasionally bestowed upon them a meager eight months’ wages, a lifeline amidst their impoverished circumstances. Their grand undertaking was devoid of modern machinery; they wielded nothing but rudimentary tools—a pickaxe, a hoe, a crowbar, wedges, a steel club, and a collection of lesser implements designed to confront unyielding stone. Year after year, they confronted the unforgiving karst landscape, tirelessly excavating, shattering living rock, shifting colossal stones, and erecting dry-stone walls and labyrinthine passageways. Not a drop of cement to be found; the brothers relied solely on their craftsmanship. The fruits of their labor now stand as an astonishing marvel—a grove of approximately 40 chambers encircled by meticulously crafted dry walls. Within this hallowed oasis, 100 olive trees, 100 figs, and some vines paint a lush, picturesque tableau against the backdrop of Kornat Island. A short stroll from the village of Bijela Lučica, this grove emerges as an enduring monument to the forebears of Kornati’s present stewards, a testament to their undying devotion to the artistry of their craft. In the midst of the Kornati National Park, Donđivić’s Fence endures as a living saga of resilience, craftsmanship, and the eternal bond between the Kurnatari people and their land.
In the heart of the Kornati archipelago, a remarkable story of determination, survival, and craftsmanship unfolds. The Donđvić Fence, a stunning olive grove, stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the people of Murter and their unwavering dedication to their land. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL_BuRZwN7c The 19th century transitioned into the 20th, and the Zadar nobility, …
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