On the Latin Text in the Kulin Ban Charter

Abstract

The Charter of ban Kulin to Dubrovnik in 1189. is the earliest trade contract between Bosnia and Dubrovnik preserved. By this contract ban Kulin promises the citizens of Dubrovnik the right to move and trade freely throughout his country. He also guarantees that they shall be exempted from any customs taxes, apart from gifts which they may wish to give the ban. Our knowledge about the beginning of trade between Dubrovnik and Bosnia is rather poor. Since at that time Bosnia was an agrarian country it is supposed that it traded in wax, skins, some agricultural products and probably even slaves, while it is almost certain that it imported salt from Dubrovnik.

The Charter of ban Kulin to Dubrovnik in 1189. served, so to speak, as a cornerstone for economic relations between Dubrovnik and Bosnia, which, were to flourish ih the centuries to come. Such close commercial relations contributed to further economic development of both, Dubrovnik and Bosnia. Thus, the fact that the Charter of ban Kulin to Dubrovnik in 1189. initiated these relations attaches new significance to this document.