Discover the story of the Free Republic of Verdis, a self-proclaimed micronation founded by 20-year-old Daniel Jackson on unclaimed land along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia.
🌍 What is the Free Republic of Verdis?
The Free Republic of Verdis is a self-declared micronation located in a small disputed area between Croatia and Serbia, along the Danube River. The land, known as “Pocket-3”, covers about 0.5 square kilometers (125 acres) of forest and is considered terra nullius — meaning it’s not officially claimed by either country due to an unresolved border dispute.
Verdis was officially proclaimed on May 30, 2019, and is one of the few micronations in the world created because of a border disagreement. Its current main initiative is the “Inhabit Verdis” project, which began on July 31, 2023.
👤 Who Founded Verdis?
Verdis was founded by Daniel Jackson, an Australian digital designer born on December 7, 2004 in Upper Ferntree Gully, Australia. Jackson had the idea at the age of 14 as “just a bit of an experiment” with friends. By 18, he began turning the dream into reality.
Jackson, who designs virtual worlds on Roblox, drafted laws, created a national flag, set up a cabinet of ministers, and adopted the Euro as Verdis’ currency. Today, Verdis claims to have around 400 citizens worldwide.
🏛 Government and Identity
Verdis operates with the following features:
-
Official Languages: English, Croatian, Serbian
-
Currency: Euro (€)
-
Citizenship Policy: Preference for individuals with expertise in medicine, security, or law
-
Passports: Issued to citizens, though not recognised internationally (some have reportedly used them for travel)
Despite being unrecognised by any UN member state, Jackson refers to himself as the President of Verdis, though he says he would step down and hold elections if the nation gained recognition.
⚠ Conflict with Croatian Authorities
In October 2023, Jackson and several supporters attempted to physically settle in Verdis. Croatian police detained and deported them, banning Jackson from entering Croatia for life. According to Jackson, authorities never gave a clear reason, stating only that they were “a threat to homeland security.”
Since then, Verdis has operated as a “government-in-exile”, claiming that Croatian authorities have increased patrols and installed surveillance along the disputed area to block access.
🚤 Access and Location
Verdis can only be reached by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek, but access is now heavily restricted due to the dispute. The land remains officially unclaimed and is not under the control of either Croatia or Serbia.
🎯 The Future of Verdis
Despite political challenges, Jackson hopes to one day establish peaceful diplomatic ties with both Croatia and Serbia. His vision for Verdis includes:
-
A small, self-sustaining community
-
A democratic political system
-
Peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries
Whether Verdis becomes a recognised microstate or remains a unique political experiment, its story continues to fascinate people worldwide.
Free Republic of Verdis, micronation between Croatia and Serbia, Daniel Jackson Verdis, Pocket-3 Danube River, unclaimed land Europe, micronations 2025, Verdis citizenship, Verdis passports.
Comments
Post a Comment