Grubine
Grubine is a small settlement in Podbablje municipality, stated near town of Imotski, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.
Geography
Grubine lays 5 km far from town Imotski, on the crossroad of the two major state roads Split-Lovreć-Imotski and Baška Voda-Sv. Ilija tunnel-Zagvozd-Grubine.[1]
Name
Name is first time mentioned in year 1931. as a settlement title, but the hamlets name Mračaj, Matkovići, Žužuli, Vukovići, Karini and Jonjići are present here since 1718. after the Venetians liberate Imotski county from Turkish occupation and returned it back into Austrian Dalmatia. Then they made population determination and induced the Hamlet names on their maps. At the same year the hamlets are assigned under church parish of St. Luke – Podbablje. The name Grubine origins from the name Gruba, very frequent on domestic middle age gravestones called stećci. The patroness of the place is Our Lady - Queen of Croats in which honor residents have raised a new church in 1995.
Population
Grubine is the largest settlement in Podbablje municipality with population of 1010 in year 2011.[2]
Economy
Construction, since the beginning of 2000th, was long the main economy domain of this small place, specially due to construction of Dalmatina highway and St. Elijah tunnel resulting in numerous enterprises with construction core business. Today this number is much lower but still high enough and relevant. Regarding its position close to the Imotski field, Grubine inherits also agricultural tradition in wine production and vegetables. After finalization of St. Elias tunnel through the mountain Biokovo in year 2013. Imotski county has become well-connected to Makarska Riviera counting only minutes by a car. This triggered touristic development in Grubine, making tourism the fastest growing economy domain in this small settlement. For instance, before the tunnel opening Grubine counted zero accommodation units, while on year 2016. there are 12 holiday villas with pools along with 2 apartments. The guests mostly come from West and North Europe seeking relaxation and peace unlike the common summer jam and rush.[3]
Education, Culture and Sport
The 4-year district school si situated In Mracaj hamlet and is part of “Tin Ujević“ Elementary school in Krivodol. District school is fully renewed in 2016. by the EU funds. Part of the building belongs to preschool kindergarten. Grubine inherits long education tradition starting in 1931. in the hamlet Parušići, where was the position of the old Papkova school.
There are plenty of various associations which take care of development, culture, tradition, sport and ecology of Grubine. Grubine Sport Society (Športsko Društvo Grubine ŠDG) is established in 2007. and every summer it organizes football tournament called “Kraljica Hrvata“ (The Quenn of Croats) where many teams from all over Dalmatia and near Hercegovina compete. Special accompanying part of tournament is football competition between Grubine's hamlets called The Tournament of Surnames.
HKUD Kolajna association is established in 80s when it initiated Grubine carnival on last weekend meeting Lent joining the old carnival tradition the Imotski County inherits “since ever“. Afterwards it has been organizing carnivals with an exception during Independence War in early 90s. Nowadays it cooperate with ŠDG Society in carnival organisation. Also HKUD Kolajna takes care of the old customs and tradition of the place by organising “ganga“ festivals and “klapa“ concerts, among other.
KUD Imotske golubice inherits traditional singing called “kantanje“ and “ganga“ along with old traditional costume and customs promotion, basically whole ethnografy of the place. Special progress in association work was done by a huge effort of Neda Kujundžić Turkina, which unfortunately passed away. Ecological society Bunar (The Well) cares of the purity of the place, protection of the nature and the ecology promotion. Special focus of this society is Vrljika river which is the main source of life and beauty of whole Imotski County.
Interesting
Grubine is famous for Mercedes-Benz cars. In a place with a thousand people one can find more than a 200 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, both cars and trucks. Reason for this is that many people from Grubine went in Germany seeking job mostly in 70s, returning with a new car. The love for Mercedes remained since then.[4]
Spring Krčevac is located in Matkovici hamlet and is famous by endemic olms (Čovječja ribica). So the olm can be found on the Podbablje municipally coat also being the symbol of Matkovići hamlet.[5]
Traditional folk manifestation called “Žužulijada“ is being held every summer in Žužuli hamlet where hamlet residents split in two teams- “Upper road“ and “Beneath road“ compete in old folk disciplines. Afterwards both participants and guests enjoy in a good cuisine and music.
In year 2016 is the “Magic Time Vinyl Festival“ organised for the first time. This unique Croatian Festival of old record boards and music antiquities takes place on the beautiful shores of Vrljika river in a special environment between vineyards and mills. It lasts all day long during which reputable DJs play profine disco and dance program.
In the Independence War in Croatia Grubine had paid a large price in men. For Croatian freedom gave Mladen Jonjić, Vinko Žužul, Josip Žužul, Ivan Karin and Marijan Jonjić their lives. Their names can be found on the memorial at the “Our Lady – Queen of Croats“ church entrance, among the names of 15 fallen heroes from Podbablje municipally.