Civljane


Civljane is small village and a municipality in Šibenik-Knin County, Croatia. With only 239 inhabitants, it is the smallest municipality in Croatia by population. Civljane is an underdeveloped municipality which is statistically classified as the First Category Area of Special State Concern by the Government of Croatia.

History

In the 9th century, probably during the time of Duke Branimir of Croatia, the Church of Holy Salvation was built in Cetina, near Vrlika, then called Vrh Rike. It is the only Croatian early medieval church with almost entirely preserved walls.
The Orthodox Church of Holy Salvation on the spring of the Cetina River was built in 1940, founded by Marko Četnik and his wife Jelena. The church was rebuilt in 1974.

Population

As of 2011, there are 188 Serbs, making up 78.7% of the population, and 44 Croats, making up 19.7% of the population, and 7 others. There are 216 Croatian speakers, and 4 Serbian speakers.
According to the 2011 census, the municipality had 239 inhabitants, situated in two villages:
The average age of residents is 71, making Civljane the oldest municipality in Croatia.

Languages

, along with Serbian Cyrillic alphabet, is the second official language in the municipality alongside with the Croatian language which is official in the whole country.

Geography

The municipality is located in the Dalmatian Hinterland, north of the town of Vrlika and Peruća Lake, on the field near the spring of Cetina River, on altitude of approximately 400 m, just under south base of mountain Dinara. The settlement of Civljane itself covers an area of 17.80 km2. Parts of the settlement are hamlets: