History of Ervenik
Previous research and findings about this area undeniably testify to the continuity of settlement from prehistoric times to the present day. Various human civilizations and cultures that succeeded one another over the centuries have left numerous traces of their material culture in this area—from prehistoric burial mounds and hillforts, Roman buildings and cemeteries, early Christian and early medieval churches, to defensive structures. Significant architectural heritage sites include the archaeological zone Ivoševci – Mokro Polje – Radučić, the defensive structures Oton Fortress and Keglević Fortress in Mokro Polje, and the aqueduct from the Glib spring through Stara Straža, Očestovo, and Radučić.
Archaeological sites are scattered throughout the entire municipality. Nearly all historical epochs are represented, and the significance of each site is not reflected in its size or the number of findings but rather in the stratification of the discoveries and the confirmation of continuous habitation in this area.
From the early Eneolithic period, the process of settling individual hills as human habitats began in the form of hillforts (fortified settlements), a trend that continued throughout the Metal Ages. These hillforts served as fortified settlements, places of refuge, and observation posts.
In the Early Bronze Age, the fortification of hillfort sites with stone walls built using dry-stone techniques began. The walls were constructed from large, unprocessed stone fragments. The dwellings within these hillforts were predominantly square or circular dry-stone structures. These represent the earliest fortifications in this region, a building tradition that persisted for millennia.
During the Iron Age, hillforts evolved to include an upper fortified section and a lower, sometimes fortified, settlement area. They were typically located on the edges of karst fields and river valleys, as well as along significant prehistoric trade routes. Their primary function was to protect pastures and serve as refuges for the local population in times of danger. Evidence from the Roman period confirms that the settlements of Mokro Polje, Oton, and Pađene were inhabited within the present-day municipality of Ervenik. A particularly remarkable archaeological site near the municipal border is the remains of the Roman amphitheater at Burnum, dating back to 55 BCE, which once housed the powerful 11th Roman Legion. Remnants of the Roman aqueduct from this period are also visible.
During the High Middle Ages, amid the intensification of feudal relations, powerful noble families engaged in territorial rivalries. Tatar invasions, feudal conflicts, struggles for the Hungarian throne, Venetian interference, and the rise of the Ottoman Empire led to the restoration or construction of new fortifications in this area. Today, the most well-known fortifications are Oton Fortress in Oton, Keglević Fortress in Mokro Polje, which includes the remains of a tower once belonging to the Croatian noble family Keglević, and the fortress in Radučić. These structures, though partially preserved, are valuable monuments of late medieval military architecture.
Until the early 15th century, this region shared the fate of a scarce medieval architectural heritage. Given that the population primarily relied on nomadic livestock farming rather than agriculture, this is understandable. Alongside the Croatian tribes that settled in the 7th and 8th centuries, Venetian sources and records from the Croatian royal chancery frequently mention the presence of the so-called “Morlachs” (Morlachi) or “Vlachs” in this region. These groups left a distinct mark on the succession of civilizations and cultures. They were also referred to as “Mavrovlasi” or “Black Vlachs” and are considered an indigenous population of Dalmatia. The term “Vlachs” was synonymous with “herders” of a nomadic lifestyle. They had seasonal settlements called “katuni” (pastoral camps) when they migrated to Venetian lands for grazing. Traces of such settlements still exist in this sub-Velebit region, continuing the tradition of the Romanized indigenous population of Dalmatia. “Vlach” was a geographical, not a national, designation (Grga Novak).
Area and Population
The Municipality of Ervenik is part of the Dalmatian Hinterland. It is located in the northern inland part of Šibenik-Knin County, in the northern region of Dalmatia, at its junction with Lika.
It is surrounded by the Municipality of Gračac and the town of Obrovac to the north, the town of Knin to the east, and the Municipality of Kistanje and the town of Skradin to the south.
The municipality covers an area of 212.28 km², which accounts for 7.1% of the county’s territory.
The Municipality of Ervenik consists of five statistical settlements: Ervenik, Mokro Polje, Oton, Pađene, and Radučić.
Population and Geography
According to the 2001 census, the population of the Municipality of Ervenik was 988. By the 2011 census, this number had increased to 1,204, with a population density of 5.67 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The Homeland War caused significant material damage in the Municipality of Ervenik, as well as socio-economic changes, leading to the area being designated as a region of special state concern.
The population of the municipality has not yet stabilized demographically, and future significant changes in population numbers remain possible.
With its natural diversity, rich landscape, and notable architectural heritage, the Municipality of Ervenik is considered a valuable area within the Republic of Croatia. However, further protection measures and improvements to its fundamental values are necessary. The Zrmanja River flows through almost the entire municipal territory. It originates on the slopes of Udbina and follows a course toward the Adriatic basin. The river has an unpredictable nature—somewhat mysterious—as almost every year, along its journey toward the Novigrad Sea, it “disappears” at certain points and then “reemerges.” It is a distinctive symbol and landmark of the Municipality of Ervenik, as well as of other areas it passes through. Known as both a “beauty and a beast,” the Zrmanja River is a defining feature of the region.
Natural Heritage
Rivers Krka and Zrmanja
The Zrmanja River flows through Mokro Polje, where it dries up during the summer, then continues through Ervenik. Downstream from Ervenik is the Crni Bunar spring, from which the river maintains a constant flow. It then passes through Žegarsko Polje, where, after the village of Žegar, it forms a dramatic canyon up to 300 meters deep. From there, it flows through Bilišane and Obrovac before finally emptying into the Novigrad Sea. The first of the seven waterfalls along the Krka River is Bilušića Buk, located in the Municipality of Ervenik. Nestled within a canyon, it lies about 16 km downstream from the river’s source and 9 km downstream from Knin, at an altitude of 214 meters.
Bilušića Buk consists of two main cascades and several smaller steps over a length of 300 meters, with a total height difference of 22.4 meters. The waterfall is about 100 meters wide, but during low water levels, the water flows through a channel only about 30 meters wide.
The waterfall is rich in tufa formations, including beards and semi-caves. Downstream from the falls, numerous small tufa barriers can be found, along with tufa steps and islets, making this area a remarkable natural phenomenon.
