Jadranska straža

Jadranska straža (lit. 'Adriatic Guard' or 'Adriatic Sentinel') was a volunteer organisation founded in 1922 in Split, in the recently established Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later renamed Yugoslavia). The organisation's stated objective was the promotion of Yugoslav military, economic, and cultural interests in the Adriatic Sea. By the 1930s, the organisation had more than 500 branches in the country and abroad, and consisted of approximately 180,000 members. Jadranska straža's founding president was Juraj Biankini, who was succeeded by Ivo Tartaglia. The bulk of the organisation's financing was secured through membership fees.

Even though Jadranska straža was a non-governmental organisation, it had a close relationship with the state, supporting the official state ideology of integral Yugoslavism and "national oneness". The Jadranska straža's adherence to the state ideology allowed it to remain active even after introduction of the 6 January Dictatorship in 1929. The organisation welcomed the dictatorship, expecting King Alexander I of Yugoslavia to endorse the Jadranska straža's goals. The organisation had a particularly close relationship with the Ministry of the Army and Navy. In 1925, Jadranska straža started a drive to collect donations for the purchase of Jadran training ship. Members from Dalmatia expected the state to pursue strong development of the region. By the mid-1930s, the government's disinterest in developing Dalmatia caused disappointment and resentment among the Jadranska straža's leaders and members. They gradually shifted to criticising the government while placing a greater emphasis on Dalmatian and Croatian aspects of Adriatic orientation than on pan-Yugoslav themes. Jadranska straža was suppressed and ceased operation during World War II, shortly after the 1941 Invasion of Yugoslavia.

Jadranska straža had significant publishing activity. The organisation's official monthly publication, Jadranska straža – Glasnik udruženja Jadranska straža was published from January 1923 until April 1941. The journal printed maritime-related material, including literary texts, scientific papers, current events, and coverage of topics related to fishing and tourism. The journal published sport news and became Yugoslavia's official rowing journal. The organisation's publications included guide books for various parts of the Adriatic shore and islands. The guide books were also published in German and Czech.