Drniš


Drniš is a town in Croatia, located in inland Dalmatia, about halfway between Šibenik and Knin.

History

The name Drniš was mentioned for the first time in a contract dated March 8, 1494. However there are traces of older Middle Ages' fortress built by Croatian aristocrat family Nelipić at the site called Gradina dominating the landscape. The town was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1522 due to its strategic location. Many buildings from this time period are still preserved today. During the Baroque period, the mosque built by the Turks was transformed into a church. In 1918 the town was occupied by Italian troops who remained there until a withdrawal in 1921, as a result of the Treaty of Rapallo. The town subsequently became a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
During WWII, the marshaling yard was a popular target for the 15th AF training new groups as well as bombing practice.
On September 16, 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence, Drniš was attacked by forces of the 9th Corpus of Yugoslav People's Army and militia of SAO Krajina led by general Ratko Mladić. The Croatian population fled under mortar fire, and town was incorporated in Republic of Serbian Krajina. The town and surrounding Croatian villages suffered extensive demolition and looting in that period. In August 1995, Drniš was restored to Croatian government control during the military action Operation Storm, and the Serbian population fled to Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Population

Population of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipalityPopulation of Drniš municipality
Year of censusCroatsSerbsYugoslavsOthers or unknownTotal-
199118,732 4,974 76 387 24,169-
20017,835 656 -104 8,595-

Heritage

The village of Otavice near Drniš is the place where the noted sculptor Ivan Meštrović spent his childhood. A museum has been built which has an exhibition of the archeological rests from the neolithic and Roman eras, along with Croatian history. The composer Krsto Odak was born in Siverić near Drniš. The town has a memorial to Julijan Ramljak. The area is also known for its agricultural orientation and a once notable mining center.

Municipal settlements

Badanj, Baljci, Biočić, Bogatić, Brištane, Velušić, Drinovci, Drniš, Gradac, Žitnić, Kadina Glavica, Kanjane, Kaočine, Karalić, Ključ, Kričke, Lišnjak, Miočić, Mirlović Polje, Kalik, Pakovo Selo, Parčić, Ružić, Pokrovnik, Radonić, Sedramić, Siverić, Tepljuh, Trbounje, Širitovci, Štikovo.

Notable natives or residents