| Cetina | |
|---|---|
 Cetina flowing through rocky,karst terrain. | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Croatia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Dinara |
| Mouth | |
• location | Adriatic Sea |
• coordinates | 43°26′23″N16°41′11″E / 43.4398°N 16.6864°E /43.4398; 16.6864 |
| Length | 101 km (63 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 1,463 km2 (565 sq mi)[1] |
TheCetina (pronounced[ˈʦětina]) is ariver in southernCroatia. It has a length of 101 km (63 mi) and its basin covers an area of 1,463 km2 (565 sq mi).[1] From its source, Cetina descends from an elevation of 385 metres (1,263 ft) above sea level to theAdriatic Sea. It is the most water-rich river inDalmatia.[2]
Cetina has its source in the northwestern slopes ofDinara. Rising from a spring atMilasevo near a small village calledCetina, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north ofVrlika, it flows 101 kilometres (63 mi) to theAdriatic Sea.[1][3] A large artificial lake begins near Vrlika, thePeruća Lake, which was created by adam some 25 kilometres (16 mi) downstream. Cetina then passes into the lower portion of theSinj karst field, through the city ofSinj. After that it runs eastward, through the city of Trilj and then back westward around theMosor mountain, before flowing into the Adriatic in the city ofOmiš.
Apart from its visible basin, the Cetina also receives a lot of water from the west Bosnian karst field via underground routes. Its lower course begins from theGubavica Falls, at 49 metres (161 ft) above sea level, near the village ofZadvarje, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Omiš. Here it leaves its canyon and flows into a valley which has nevertheless retained something of the appearance of a canyon.[2]
The latter portion of Cetina and its relatively large drop in elevation was used to build several substantialhydroelectric power plants.[4] Its water is also bottled asCetina.
The total drainage area of the catchment is around 12,000 km2, and the annual discharge is around 105 m3s−1 as a consequence of a mean annual rainfall of 1380 mm.[3]
Bounded to the east by theDinaric Alps, which rise to an elevation of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), and to the northwest by mountainSvilaja, the majority of the catchment drainscalcareous rocks ofCretaceous age, predominantlylimestone. Rocks ofTriassic andJurassic age also crop out in the catchment and includedolomitic limestone andflysch. The underlyingkarst geology controls relief with a series of structurally alignedbasins separated by highridges.[3]
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The Cetina Valley and the narrow passage atKlis have always functioned as a principal trade route between the Croatian coast and hinterland. Strategically, it has been pivotal to the development, not only of the Balkans, but also of significant parts of Europe.[3]The earliest evidence for agricultural activity is from the EarlyNeolithic in the upper part of the valley. In the EarlyBronze Age theCetina culture, a geographically pervasive group with contacts throughout the Adriatic basin, became dominant. Extensivemound fields are recorded on the lower valley slopes at several locations around Cetina,Vrlika andBajagić.[3] As in other parts of Europe, the river appears to have been the focus of the intentional deposition of artifacts throughout prehistory. This is particularly true at the confluence of the Cetina andRuda rivers atTrilj.[3]
The area is intimately associated with the heartland of theDelmatae and the area's strategic importance is emphasised by the citing of thelegionaryfortress atTilurium (Gardun), just above today's city ofTrilj, which guards the entrance to the valley from the south and the approach to the provincial capital atSalona.[3]
During the earlymedieval period,toponymic evidence suggests that the Cetina Valley and perhaps the river itself became a frontier between Slavic and Late Roman power. The area aroundSinj eventually emerged as a centre of Slavic power and ultimately established itself as a heartland of the Early Croatian State,[3] especially in the areas of its upper flow.
During later periods the area was highly contested and passed between a number of regional and local powers before conquest by theOttoman Empire during the early 16th century. After this it retained a frontier role between Ottoman Empire andRepublic of Venice until the reconquest of the area 150 years later.[3]
Today canyon of the river Cetina is very popular among tourists looking for adventure activities like rafting, canyoning, zip-line, rock climbing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
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