Гроф Марсили и пловидба Ђердапом и средњим Подунављем
Count Marsigli and Navigation in the Djerdap gorge and Middle Danube

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims to present just a short period, a tiny segment of Marsigli’s adventurous life, this time as a chief army engineer who built three pontoon bridges on the River Danube in 1689 and 1690. The location of these bridges is determined and signified on the Marsigli’s maps from Danubius’ sections in this paper, providing the context of the building activity. When compared to later cartographic images, his presentation of the Danube River course is perfectly accurate given the available instruments. The winter months of 1689/90 he spent on this Danube section provided the opportunity for Marsigli to set himself up to making his grand oeuvre. He had help of the local people in scouting, maneuvering and determining the best possible locations for pontoon bridges, with their precise knowledge of the ever changing Danube water currents, but also in rediscovering the remains of many Roman antiquities in the area. Marsigli’s autobiographical notes could not provide the complete picture of his mastering the dreadful and fearsome cataracts in the Iron Gates, as well as upstream and downstream. Therefore, some other historical and cartographical sources are used in order to gain a more complete insight into his craftsmanship, his vigor and fearlessness. Furthermore, it might lead to a novel approach – a sensory history of the Danube and its navigation.

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