Osijek, Croatia, 17 August 2026 – The Croatian Army has been deployed to help save a replica of an ancient Roman ship that became stranded on a sandbank in the Drava River near Osijek after an exceptionally low water level.
Members of the Guards Armoured-Mechanised Brigade of the Croatian Army are carrying out engineering work to support the safe recovery of the vessel and prevent further damage to its structure.
The operation was approved by Croatian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Anušić, following a request for assistance from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, which built the replica.
The ship became stranded as water levels in the Drava fell sharply amid extremely high temperatures. Prolonged exposure in its current position could cause permanent damage, while a delay in recovery could result in the vessel being lost entirely.
The challenging terrain, the ship’s position and the need to protect its construction have required specialised engineering support from the Croatian Army.
The reconstructed Roman vessel is 18 metres long and weighs around six tonnes. It was built several years ago by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg with approximately €1 million in European Union funding.
The ship is used for research into ancient waterways and the reconstruction of historical navigation routes along the Danube and Drava rivers. It is currently based in Osijek, where it is preserved in cooperation with the Archaeological Museum in Osijek.
The Croatian Defence Ministry said the operation demonstrates how the Croatian Armed Forces can provide support to civilian institutions beyond their primary defence responsibilities.
In this case, the military’s engineering capabilities are being used to help protect an object of cultural and historical significance while allowing research and the presentation of Roman-era heritage to continue.
Source: www.croatiaweek.com
