Lands in Limbo: Danube ‘Microstates’ Dream Big Despite Lack of Recognition

Various libertarians and Gen Z students have made use of the confused state of the Croatia-Serbia river border to proclaim independent mini-states – although police and governments insist they have no legal basis. From the village of Batina in Croatia's far northeast, the only land route leads to the Free Republic of Liberland, a self-proclaimed microstate on the banks of the Danube River. A bicycle is the only practical means of transport. The journey begins on an asphalt road before continuing onto gravel and then a dirt track, until the road disappears altogether. The final kilometre must be covered on foot, across the dried-up bed of a Danube backwater. In summer, it feels more like walking across desert sand before reaching the dense forest that forms the "centre" of Liberland. Subscribe to Balkan Insight Premium to read the full article. Please login to your account below if you are already a Premium Subscriber. Buy Premium Subscription Our Premium Service gives you full access to all content published on BalkanInsight.com, including analyses, investigations, comments, interviews and more. Choose your subscription today and get unparalleled in-depth coverage of the Southern and Eastern Europe. Buy Premium Subscription If you have trouble logging in or any other questions regarding you account, please contact us