MEĐUODNOS LJUDI I RIJEKE DRAVE NA PODRUČJU VARAŽDINSKE PODRAVINE U NOVOM VIJEKU
INTERRELATION OF PEOPLE AND DRAVA RIVER IN THE REGION OF VARAŽDIN PODRAVINA IN THE NEW AGE

Summary/Abstract: The paper provides an eco-historic analysis of the influence of the Drava River on human communities along the river in the area of the Varaždin Podravina as well as attitudes of people and their actions relating to the river in the New Age. Since only a few papers have been published on this topic various source materials was used. The structure of this paper has been defined by the complexity of relationships between rivers and human communities as well as the importance of rivers for human society. The Drava River has had a direct influence on life of people and society in general. Therefore, the first part of the paper defines geographical characteristics of the Drava River and natural and biological factors of the Varaždin Podravina. History of the man-river relationship has been shown through several separate chapters describing its traffic and communication importance, economic significance for the settlements located along the river which contributed to intensive development of trade, but also the danger the river posed to the people and settlements located along its banks. People near the river have for centuries been exposed to the wild nature of the river, to floods whose consequences significantly influenced the progress or fall of individual settlements along the river. Swamp areas spreading near the river have also influenced the quality of life, because swamps and ponds had often been sources of various illnesses. All this also influenced the development the City of Varaždin, who did not grow on the river itself, but close. Today, the issue is even more current and initiatives have been made to finally merge the city and the river. Vicinity of the river not only enabled population to do various crafts (flour milling, goldsmiths, barges, fishing) but was also included in various folk tales and beliefs of the people. Legends found in the Varaždin Podravina, Međimurje, but also around Klagenfurt in Austria, show that various beliefs were expanding along the river showing cultural influence existing between various areas connected by the river. This also proves that at the same time the river is the separation line but also the connecting line of human communities.

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