Drum – Roman Road and Church of St. Anthony

Drum can be understood through two historical traces: the Roman road between Salona (Solin) and Narona (Vid near Metković), and the Church of St. Anthony, with its long construction history. The place name also points to the theme of roads. The mills on the Vrljika add a view of the wider Podbablje area.

The Roman Road and the Origin of the Name

Drum lies along the Roman road that connected Salona and Narona. The names in parentheses link the ancient names to the present-day locations of Solin and Vid near Metković. The name Drum also relates to roads: it derives from the Turkish word for road, which is ultimately connected to the Greek dromos. Two historical perspectives thus meet: the Roman route between the ancient settlements and the linguistic origin of the place name. The name is a distinct trace of linguistic history, not simply a way of dating the road. Together, the route and its etymology offer a concrete way into Drum’s history.

The Church of St. Anthony

The Church of St. Anthony stands beside the parish house. As a three-aisled Neo-Romanesque building, it can be described in terms of its spatial layout and architectural style: “three-aisled” refers to its division into three church aisles, while “Neo-Romanesque” describes its architectural language. The two terms describe different aspects of the same building.

The building’s history is best understood as a sequence of several stages. Construction began in 1927, and the building reached roof level in 1941. The church was completed in 1977 and renovated in 1998. The 1941 milestone therefore marks progress in construction, not completion. The start, reaching roof level, completion, and later renovation were distinct stages that help trace the long construction period precisely. Its location beside the parish house adds a specific spatial detail to the architectural description.

Mills in the Wider Podbablje Area

Beyond Drum, the wider Podbablje area offers a look at the mills along the Vrljika. Several old mills have been preserved there, including Markićuša and Patrljeva mlinica. Another notable site is the mill in Perinuša: it is the largest and the only functioning mill, and is located within the historic Franceschi estate. The estate’s history spans the 17th to the early 20th century. The mills therefore have different contexts: the named structures are part of a group of preserved mills along the river, while Perinuša is distinguished by its size, operating status, and location on the Franceschi estate. Before visiting Perinuša, check locally whether the mill is currently operating.

When choosing where to stay, you can distinguish between the history found right in Drum and the region’s cultural landscape. The Roman road, the origin of the name, and the Church of St. Anthony form the local focus; the mills extend it with a glimpse of Podbablje. If you are looking for a hotel in Drum, these topics can help you decide what interests you: whether you want to focus mainly on local architectural and linguistic history or also explore the mills of the wider region.

Discover more destinations: Grubine, Krivodol, Kamenmost, Podbablje Gornje, Ivanbegovina.

Back to the main travel guide: Općina Podbablje.