CYCLING NERETVA
Cycling through the swamp kingdom.
There are two cycling clubs in Metković, BK Metković and BK Relax, where you can rent and buy bicycles, spare parts, and a bicycle repair service. The attractive marked cycling route Prud – Dragovija – Vid is equipped with tourist signs that will make it easier for you to find your way around the route and point out the most important attractions. Due to the terrain, the route is suitable for MTB cycling, passing by viewpoints that offer a view of half of the Neretva valley. The route also takes you through the forest, and along the ornithological reserves Pod gredom and Prud. From the route, you can also see the Norin river, which cuts through the marshland, and the silence and peace that interrupt the sound of the marshland accompany you throughout the ride.
Upon arrival at your destination in Vid, the culture and history of this region await you. The Metković area has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the Illyrian mounds, but the most important site is the archaeological site of ancient Narona in Vid. The Narona Archaeological Museum is the first in situ museum in Croatia, which means that it was built on the site itself. It was built on the remains of the Augusteum temple, which was dedicated to the divine emperor Augustus and was built in 10 BC. The museum's display consists of a perfectly preserved group of sculptures representing the Julio-Claudian imperial dynasty, but also a multitude of other artifacts such as remains of ceramics, glass, money, jewelry, etc. that will introduce you to the meaning and wealth of ancient Narona, the second largest and most important Roman city on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, dating from the end of the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD. Also in the Vid area you can see the monumental sculpture of Prince Domagoj and his archers next to the parish church of Our Lady of the Snows, the remains of the city walls from the 3rd/4th century BC and the church of St. Vitus, which is located in the middle of a field at the very entrance to Vid.
After an exciting ride and walk through history, refresh yourself at a rich table. What the region is known for in terms of gastronomy is the completely authentic Neretva brodetto, in which the main ingredients are eel and frog. Other top-quality fish are often found in it, such as flounder, known for living only in absolutely clean waters. Preparing brodetto, or “brujeta”, is seemingly simple, but that is only a deception because every Neretva town, every restaurant, every house has its own special way, a secret that makes its brodetto different, specific and that leaves you in an insoluble dilemma about which one is truly better. Eel can be grilled on a spit, and it is very tasty and dried. In addition to eel, frogs and quality fish, Neretva cuisine, especially in autumn and winter, delights gourmets with excellent dishes prepared from waterfowl, especially coots. The proximity of the sea ensures that local fishermen always have fresh sea fish caught in the Neretva Channel. The Neretva culinary tradition also includes dishes cooked under a baking sheet (sačura).
There are other routes in the Neretva Valley (not all of which are yet marked as cycling routes) where you can enjoy and explore the area, and cycling events are held there every year: XCM Stipe Čamber in February, Primavera – a unique cycling race for ladies in the spring, and the children's cycling race XC Žabica. The Neretva Tour is also held in Metković. This two-day event consists of two cycling races: the MTB race in the eliminator discipline XCE "Metković", which is also the Croatian national championship, and the UCI class 2 international MTB race XCO "Predolac", which counts for the Croatian XCO Cup. The website https://www.cycling-neretva.com presents carefully created road and MTB routes throughout the Neretva Valley, in order to provide the opportunity to get to know the destination on two wheels.
Cycling Neretva
XCM RACE TRACK
NORTHERN CIRCLE
IN THE HEART OF THE VALLEY