Roman bridge on the Cetina River

You are on the bridge near Han on the Cetina, where an important trade route from Salona to the interior of Dalmatia ran in Roman times. Here, the Cetina River was an obstacle, and the bridge allowed safe passage for people and goods, making this area a key traffic point in the ancient world. Only about two hundred meters away is the current stone bridge from the 19th century, but it is at this location, known as Mostine, that the remains of the Roman bridge are still visible. Traces of Roman residential and farm buildings have been found nearby, as well as a workshop for making tiles and bricks, which shows how economically vibrant this place was in Roman times. The bridge has survived the centuries – it was also used in the Middle Ages, and the Turks probably renovated or expanded it on the Roman foundations. Interestingly, a han, or inn with an inn, was also built next to the bridge during the Ottoman period, which is why the place was named Han. The travel writer Evliya Çelebi wrote in 1660 that the bridge had seven shafts and two towers with iron gates. The bridge near Han was part of the Roman limes, a defensive system that protected settlements and controlled traffic along the Cetina. Its location and function testify to how important the Cetina was as a traffic and economic artery throughout history. Another interesting fact: a stone hand wedge from the Paleolithic era was found in this area, which means that people were here as early as 35,000 years ago.