…with its shape and functionality it perfectly fits into the landscape of Brela, specifically the Podbiokovo region, widely known for the exceptional beauty of its nature…
The Napoleon or French road is now presented as an educational trail in the Podbiokovo region of Brela. This trail is interesting to all visitors, especially history enthusiasts, architects, hikers, and builders. Why? Because it is, a road built during the time of Napoleon, which was part of a larger and more ambitious plan of the imperial administration of that time. This road was supposed to connect the Illyrian provinces, or Croatian and Slovenian lands under French rule with headquarters in Ljubljana, on one side with the west, namely Paris, and on the other side with the east, namely Dubrovnik, and supposedly Istanbul. Perhaps it was supposed to continue from Istanbul towards Russia, which Napoleon also wanted to conquer. Napoleon's administration found very poor roads in Dalmatia, as they had not been systematically invested in since the 1st century and Roman times. The Venetian administration had neither will nor the reason to invest in Dalmatian roads as it conducted its trade and business with Dalmatia by sea. The idea of creating a transportation link along the Dalmatian coast meant promoting trade with the interior of Dalmatia and then with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could bring some money into the pockets of local people as well.
Photo: Vice Rudan / Brela Tourist Board
The governor of the Illyrian provinces on behalf of Napoleon was Marshal August Marmont, who, as we learn from historical sources, apart from military duty, also assigned labour duty to the population, on public works, that is, road construction. Workers were mobilized and paid for their work in bread or two meals, and they were supposed to use their draft animals. PhD Josip Belamarić wrote more about the construction of the road in the article "French Road on Biokovo above Brela" from which we quote the above lines. The importance given to this topic recently has been evidenced not only by the mentioned article but also by an exhibition held in Split in October and November 2023. The place of the exhibition was the Institute for Scientific and Artistic Work of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the title "Napoleon's Road in Dalmatia – Contribution of French Administration to Road Construction Development in Dalmatia at the beginning of the 18th century." Moreover, the road was included in the Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia on the 25th of September, 2017.
Photo: Vice Rudan / Brela Tourist Board
The Tourist Board of Brela recognized the importance of Napoleon's road, so they designed and arranged an educational trail with ten interpretive panels containing content interesting to hikers, excursionists, and lovers of past times. Although it is only a little over one kilometre of road (1.3 km), its importance is still great. Most of the road sections should be renovated and work is underway, but these are demanding projects, as there is no access to mechanization. However, for raising awareness of the importance of cultural heritage, three workshops on drystone wall construction were held on the road. The workshops are always held in cooperation with expert leaders of the "Dragodid" association and aim to teach drystone wall construction techniques. It is worth noting that the preservation of drystone walls and the technique of their construction have been included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Photo: Vice Rudan / Brela Tourist Board
As we learn from the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Brela, attendance at the workshops was unexpectedly high, between 30 to 40 participants per workshop! Among them were locals as well as residents from neighbouring counties who nurture or want to nurture the culture of drystone walls. In addition to them, archaeology students from the University of Zadar with their professors and four participants from Germany attended the workshops. The professional expertise preceded the implementation of the project, and all interventions on the road were carried out solely in cooperation with the Conservation Department from Split and with its permission.
Currently, the conceptual design of the structural repair and stabilization of the road and its surroundings is underway, as well as the design of interventions necessary for the execution of works in a safe manner and the use of the road for tourist purposes until complete repair. For this project, the Brela Tourist Board had the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Media in the Program for the Protection and Preservation of Immovable Cultural Goods in 2023.
Photo: Vice Rudan / Brela Tourist Board
Creators of tourist offerings in Brela are not only working on the construction of new facilities, whether in the place or outside of it, but also respect the existing ones that perfectly fit into the landscape of Brela, namely the Podbiokovo region, widely known for the exceptional beauty of its nature. Respecting the existing means taking into account various professions and their mutual coordination. This otherwise demanding and complex process proceeded quite quickly in this case. The educational trail "French Road" invites visitors in every season as it offers an excellent panoramic view. With the scents of Biokovo's aromatic flora and an open view of the Adriatic sea, this road invites you to stay in nature and take a long walk.
To conclude, this beautiful part of Croatian coast has endured numerous wars and campaigns, many armies and conquerors have trodden upon it, destroying what they encountered in their path, which was built with hardship and sweat. However, the French, unlike any after the Romans, did not leave ruins behind but rather buildings, in this case – a valuable monument to their administration. We believe it is crucial to preserve and visit this heritage from the 18th century. Moreover, to take a walk through it, feel it and enjoy it.