Brod Moravice is the largest city and administrative center of Moraviskameja, the tenth and southernmost district of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. Situated near the border with Boskenmark, it is the undisputed cultural, political, and demographic heart of the Kresimirian Bosken minority.
Throughout the Republic’s history, the city has been the epicenter of Bosken separatism, serving as the base of operations for militant groups and later, the legal political parties advocating for the region’s independence. It is a city defined by its distinct Bosken identity and its long and often violent history of resistance to the central government in Sinj.
Etymology
The name “Brod Moravice” is believed to be derived from the Old Kresi words for “Ford on the Morava,” referring to a historic crossing point on the Brod River, which flows through the city and historically marked a cultural boundary.
History
Unification War and Incorporation
During the Kresimirian Unification War (1918-1921), Brod Moravice was a key stronghold of the Eastern Pravoslavic Confederacy. Its citizens fought fiercely against the Centralist Faction, hoping to unite with the newly independent Boskenmark. The Confederacy’s ultimate defeat and the signing of the Treaty of Sinj resulted in the city and the surrounding region being controversially incorporated into the new Kresimirian Republic. This outcome was never accepted by the local populace and immediately sowed the seeds of a decades-long insurgency.
The Insurgency Era (1921-1961)
Almost immediately, Brod Moravice became the clandestine headquarters for the newly formed militant group BRC-21. The city was characterized by a climate of non-cooperation with Kresimirian authorities, frequent riots, and guerrilla attacks on state personnel and infrastructure.
The city was the site of the Republic’s first major political crisis on November 15, 1924, with the assassination of Senator Ivana Simuna. The bombing, which took place at the Brod Moravice District University (BMDU), led to a state of emergency being declared and the deployment of the Kresimirian Army, which patrolled the city’s streets for months. This event hardened attitudes on both sides and intensified the conflict.
The Treaty of Brod Moravice
After decades of violence, the city gave its name to the peace agreement that would redefine its future. On July 4, 1961, the Treaty of Brod Moravice was signed at the city hall between representatives of the Kresimirian government and BRC-21. This historic event ended the main insurgency and granted political and voting rights to the city’s population.
Geography and Demographics
Brod Moravice is located on the southern plains of Moraviskameja, straddling the Brod River. Its proximity to the Boskenmark border has made it a key hub for both formal and informal cross-border trade and travel.
The city is demographically unique within Kresimiria. An estimated 88% of its population is ethnically Bosken, and the overwhelming majority of citizens practice the Pravoslavic Faith. A small Kresimirian minority exists, largely composed of state administrators and security personnel and their families, who often reside in fortified government compounds.
Government and Politics
Brod Moravice serves as the administrative capital of District X. Municipal politics are completely dominated by the Bosken Liberation Front (BLF), which has held the mayoralty and a vast majority on the city council since its formation in 1961.
Ironically, the 1921 Constitution granted Brod Moravice a “special status of Divinity” due to its historical importance. This title, rooted in Kresimirianism, is a point of contention and derision among the city’s predominantly Pravoslavic population, who see it as a symbol of the cultural and political imposition by the central government.
Economy
The city’s economy has historically been hampered by political instability and conflict. Its primary industries include light manufacturing, agriculture processing, and cross-border trade with Boskenmark. It is widely believed to be a center for smuggling and other illicit activities connected to Bosken separatist groups, particularly the hardline AFIM.
Culture
The culture of Brod Moravice is one of fierce local pride and resistance.
- Brod Moravice District University (BMDU): Despite being the site of the 1924 assassination, BMDU is a respected institution and a bastion of Bosken language, history, and cultural studies within Kresimiria.
- Sport: The city is home to the football club NK Moravice United. The club is a powerful symbol of Bosken identity, and its matches against the capital’s FC Sinj are known as the “Holy Derby.” These games are high-security events, often accompanied by political demonstrations and intense, sometimes violent, fan rivalries.