Bosanskohercegovačko pristanište Klek-Neum u osmanskim dokumentima 1859-1876
THE BOSNIAN-HERZEGOVINIAN PORT OF KLEK-NEUM IN OTTOMAN DOCUMENTS

Author(s): Emir Demir
Subject(s): History, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Civil Law, Diplomatic history, Economic history, The Ottoman Empire, Maritime Law
Published by: Fondacija za podršku naučnoistraživačkom radu I obrazovanju “Spektrum” Sarajevo
Keywords: Klek-Neum; port; harbor; Ottoman Empire; Austria; maritime rights; quarantine; Neum Mosque; Herzegovinian Uprising; Ottoman cadastral registers; Višnjica port; Neretva; diplomatic relations; landowners; archival source;
Summary/Abstract: This study examines the port of Klek-Neum based on Ottoman documents from the period 1859–1876. The port represented a crucial Adriatic outlet for the Ottoman Empire. With the support of the sultanic authorities, a quarantine, auxiliary facilities, and a mosque were built. Archival documents and historical research confirm the existence of the mosque in Neum. These structures were periodically renovated and expanded with the help of the Ottoman administration. In 1858, a transportation route connecting Klek-Neum to Mostar was established.Austria sought to restrict Ottoman influence in the region through regulatory manipulation and taxation policies while simultaneously asserting territorial claims over Klek-Neum and Sutorina. Austrian efforts to limit the Ottoman military presence aligned with their broader strategic interests. The Ottomans, in turn, attempted to avoid direct confrontation with Austria while maintaining access to Klek-Neum.During the Herzegovinian Uprising of 1876, the port complex was set on fire, after which the Ottomans never reestablished their presence in the area. Cadastral records from 1865–1875 confirm the existence of various structures and land ownership patterns. The parcels were owned by Muslims, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians alike. This research underscores the precision of Ottoman administration and the strategic importance of the port.Acknowledging the contributions of researchers and archival sources in preserving historical narratives, this study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the events and interactions between the two empires. Through preserved documents, it explores the geostrategic significance of Klek-Neum, emphasizing the value of archival material for further research and historical analysis.

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