On the lookout above the Cetina canyon, near Gata, the bronze statue of Mile Gojsalić overlooks the mouth of the Cetina River and the city of Omiš.
The legend of Mile Gojsalić has been passed down through generations. Although there are no archival evidence or records of this Poljica legend, its figure is strongly present in the people and Croatian art.
The tradition says that Mile Gojsalić lived during the time of the great Turkish conquests. Turkish Ahmed-pasha gathered an army in 1530 with the intention of conquering Poljica. The camp was set up in Podgrac in Gata. The young Poljica girl, Mile, from the Gojsalić clan, was forcibly brought into Ahmed-pasha’s tent. Before dawn, she snatched a torch while leaving the tent and managed to enter the gunpowder storage and set it on fire. She died alongside Ahmed-pasha and numerous Turkish soldiers.
This event, it is said, surprised and terrified the remaining Turkish army. Then the Poljica people attacked the Turks and defeated them. Her bravery, which allowed the Poljica people to defend their homes, has not been forgotten.
All the Turks were defeated and expelled from Poljica.
Honour swallows Iljinac.
The gathering place is deserted, there are no more councils,
There is scheming around the prince’s table,
Evil and good fortune have changed places,
And the glorious flag is now ashes, dust:
But always the Poljica people are sacred,
And always famous is Mile Gojslavica.
Historical Tales – Mile Gojslavica
August Šenoa
In her native Kostanje, in the heart of the former Poljica Republic, a summer cultural event called “Dani Mile Gojsalic” is held every year. On this occasion, a statue named after her is awarded to individuals who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Dalmatian cultural heritage.
Many have been inspired by her character and actions, and thus Mila Gojsalic is present in Croatian literature, painting, and music. Ivan Mestrovic sculpted her proud figure, August Šenoa and friar Andrija Kacic Miosic included her in their poems, and Jakov Gotovac composed the opera Mila Gojsalic.
In this way, the memory of her heroic deed and the name of the Poljica heroine continue to live on, inspiring and encouraging.
Ode to the land
Oh, our beloved and dear land, in difficult times In the fight beloved ardently,
you have no other treasure than freedom, and your pride is our bright sun.
Under every stone a fierce little dragon dreams, in every furrow a bloody sword trembles,
in every stream living water boils, under every threshold a winged steed gallops.
I believe in you, my holy land, with deep faith in the mountains that crumble,
protected you are from floods of sweat, a naked stone guarded by floods of blood.
When the enemy burns you, crushes, destroys you, you then rise beneath the funeral mound,
and again, stronger with the power of your blood, you shine more beautifully with the fire of your life.
Oh, our land, holy martyr! Oh, solid rock, crossroads of the world!
Oh, native soil, mother of our people! Alas, alas!
Oh, my land, may God protect you!