Sparkling
The Goldsmith’s Gold
Branko Šenoa (son of writer August): Sava River landscape, 1910 croatian lands, Rocky heights and calm rivers, 25
Sredisnja ENG.indd 54
Scenes of foggy landscapes in the early morning are the embodiment of peace, such as those depicted on Japanese wood carvings when rivers turn gold with the first rays of the sun and a group of willows or hazelnut bushes separate from the greyness. The large Croatian rivers peacefully flowing through the lowlands of central Croatia have this effect on the soul. They also leave behind wealth hauled from the Alps: round gravel, sparkling sand and gold. The gold-bearing rivers here have never been the site of a rush for this noble metal. For centuries, gold has also been found in the creeks of Zagreb’s Mt. Medvednica while, in the Međimurje town of Donji Vidovec, gold hunters have kept this craft up to the present day L. On the Mura River, curious guests can join in the hunt. Here gold is like a miracle, a fascination and a gift of pure otherworldliness, something with which to make a chalice. No one will earn their fortune by rinsing out the silt to search for gold in the rivers and streams of Croatia. However, modern man must not lose touch with the rivers, as this loss would impoverish a part of his nature. Whether you head out to the Kupa, Mrežnica N or Dobra Rivers, go river rafting along the Mura or Drava O Rivers, try sports fishing on the Česma River or walk
09.11.2010. 20:41