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Port of Ploce is first mentioned in a document written on 06.11.1387. In that document port of Ploce is mentioned as "a place on the estuary of river Neretva" (ad quedam locum dictum la porto Ploca que est in orificio fluminis Narenti). Document is written in Latin, and in the whole text only "Ploce" is in Croatian, which affirms its name in the 14th century and its historical meaning.
 There are two more written documents. First of them is written in 1426 by the Senate of Republic of Dubrovnik, and other one is written by Vicenzo Maria Coronelli (1650.-1718.) in 1696, which includes historical map with Neretva region.
In the middle of 18th century, in the book "Cronaca della citta e teritorio di Narenta", written by reverend Luka Vladimirovic, there is an idea that the port should be built on the place where it is now.
The possibility of building a port of Ploce was first mentioned in the second part of 19th century, in plans of Habsburg monarchy. They started building piers from Neretva estuary to Ploce bay, that even today exist. Only that was made by Monarchy.
The first real discussions about building the port on the place where it is today were held in 1922, when first examinations of terrain were made. In the year of 1927 publication under the topic "Port of Aleksandrovo (Ploce) on Neretva estuary" was published, which includes main plans of building a port.  After that, in the year 1936, three location suggestions were given for future ports and one of them was the location of Ploce port. In 1937 Technical report was written, which said that natural port of Ploce has fulfilled all requirements and that the beginning for its building can finally start. In 1939 first real construction works begun, by mining the Zminjac hill. Estimated time for the port to be built was around three and a half years.
During the World War 2 old fashioned railway Metkovic-Ploce was made, while the port was built partially, just enough for one ship. Mentioned railway was used for the needs of Nazis, who, in the end of war, destroyed almost everything in port.
On 11.06.1945 State made a decision to built port and city on today's location, and first ships started coming in the end of 1945. In a short period of time railway was repaired and some small construction works on the rebuilding of port were made. That included building of magazines and wood made houses for the workers to live in, and everything was done by human labor, without necessary equipment. In that time we still don't have a built settlement, but that day is used as a birthday of the city.
 In 1948, 480 citizens lived in Ploce and since then the number of citizens has grown constantly. In 1950 Ploce got a new name - Kardeljevo, but the old one was returned in 1954. Until 1968 major construction works, which had great impact on development of city and its port, were made. In 1965 Adriatic tourist two-lane highway and road to Mostar were finished, and in 1966 modern railway Sarajevo-Mostar-Ploce was constructed and opened. Since then development of the city and port was faster. In 1980 Ploce changed its name to new (old) one - Kardeljevo, but finally on 10.10.1990. was changed in Ploce. In 1992 Ploce got the city status by Croatian parliament. In just 40 years of existence, Ploce has developed into a modern port town with all contents needed for normal city life.
 In recent city history the most important date is the 14.09.1991. On that day magazines of former Yugoslav army on Male Bare were taken by Croatian military force (operation "Zelena tabla - Male Bare"), and that is one of the first actions in last war. In that action Croatia got the part of needed equipement for future war activities. A logical ending of an operation was taking of all military objects on the territory of city until the 18th of September 1991. On the same day the bay of Ploce was clean of Yugoslav army vessels. The command of Military port Ploce was formed and in October of the same year, when the first regiment of soldiers started to serve the Croatian army. That was the first generation of Croatian soldiers in newly formed Republic of Croatia. |
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