Croatia’s Pelješac Bridge Has Spectacular Opening Ceremony

Attended by Croatia’s president and prime minister and broadcast live on Croatian TV, the opening ceremony of the country’s Pelješac bridge on 26 July was marked by fireworks and the first-ever car crossing of the structure, by a Rimac Nevera – the all-electric, 1914hp, 258mph hyper-car manufactured by Rimac Automobili. Three-time European racing champion Niko Pulić, who is from Dubrovnik, started in a car from the other side of the bridge, with both cars passing through fireworks.

Members of the 1st and 4th guard brigades, 40 of them on motorcycles, subsequently crossed the bridge, and a cultural and artistic program was hosted throughout the day at the rest area on the Pelješac side of the bridge.

The opening of the €550 million, 2.4km-long bridge, along with 20km of access roads, took place three months ahead of schedule after a three-year construction process, and the first cruiser travelled under it in mid-July.

The Pelješac peninsula is part of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Prior to the opening of the bridge, it was necessary to pass through a short section of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina to get to Dubrovnik from the north

Awaited for decades, the bridge will provide a huge travel boost to the wine region of the Peljesac peninsula and is regional islands. Celebrations, festivals and tasty events across the year will mark this event, as well as celebrating Croatia’s 30-year anniversary since it was recognised as a sovereign state by all member states of the then European Community (EC).

Sparsely populated, the Pelješac Peninsula offers up lovely Blue Flag beaches and great seafood, especially oysters and mussels, in addition to its dry red wines that can be tasted at an array of welcoming local wineries. Another highlight is the fortified city and Renaissance labyrinth of Ston, which once protected Dubrovnik, known for its oysters and for the salt from its saltworks.