Life

A vrčina was a night pot – also known, though less commonly, as a bukalin. In the absence of indoor toilets, it was a practical solution for nighttime needs. The earliest versions were made of clay, later ones from metal, and the most elegant from porcelain. Conte Kačić Peko even owned a collection of luxurious bukalins crafted by prestigious manufacturers. The word vrčina was commonly used in everyday speech. One of the best-known sayings was: “Makarska is a golden vrčina, full of… (you can guess the rest).” The phrase was coined by Mayor Rismondo, who never meant to offend the town. His intent was to emphasize how richly gifted Makarska is by nature—and how human negligence threatens to soil that golden gift.