Traffic Connectivity in Croatia in the Past: The Dubrovnik Region Case

Abstract

This paper analyses the development of traffic routes in the far south of Croatia during the 19th and 20th century. Poor traffic connectivity was the consequence of traffic policy which was subordinated to the interests of Vienna in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and after World War I, to Belgrade. Since the Dubrovnik region was oriented towards the sea, and since traditionally it had strong entrepreneurship and sea traffic that enabled great economic prosperity of Dubrovnik in the past centuries. Ships flying the flag of Sveti Vlaho (Saint Blaise, the patron saint of the city) were present in the Mediterranean and the world’s oceans, yet the service industry which Dubrovnik provided was completed by tourism only in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The perception of Dubrovnik as a world tourist destination was established in the first half of the 20th century and that could only be maintained by quality traffic routes. Therefore it was extremely important for the prosperity of the far south of Croatia to have and retain the best connectivity by railway as well as sea, land and air traffic.