Routes of Old Sea Captains
SOUTH DalmatiaN ROUTE
Dubrovnik
The routes of the old sea captains traverse an area of turbulent history and struggles for freedom, an area where trade, seafaring and shipping have been developed since ancient times and where life has always been lived in harmony with the sea and the rivers. Visit the ancient home of seafaring on the peninsula of Pelješac in the Maritime Museum in Orebić, the cradle of sea captains; in Korčula, the birthplace of Marco Polo; in the historical city of Dubrovnik, which was an independent republic for centuries, and this treasured tradition has continued in the modern-day sea and river ports of Ploče and Metković. In these parts, nature has crafted the wondrous landscapes of the Neretva Delta, a meeting-place between the river and the sea, the lowlands and the karst, the lake and the wetlands; of the eternal beauty of the Mljet National Park, with its lakes; the Elafiti islands of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, with the diverse landscapes of Konavle. Look towards the open sea where fierce battles were once fought, where freedom was defended, and towards which merchant ships sailed the waters with billowing sails. In addition to the shipyard of the famous Dubrovnik carrack in Grgurići (Slano), the Dubrovnik Littoral (Slano) is also the birthplace of four admirals of the Spanish navy.
Nature
Mljet National Park, Lastovo Islands Nature Park, monument of park architecture: Trsteno Arboretum, special reserves of the Neretva Delta (ichthyological and ornithological reserves), Mali Ston Bay (a reserve in the sea), the isle of Lokrum special reserve, Vela cave - a geomorphologic natural phenomenon (natural monument) (Vela Luka), the special reserve of Kočje (village of Žrnovo on the island of Korčula), Saplunara (island of Mljet) significant landscape, Cave of Odysseus (Mljet), Morvica and Ostaševica caves (Mljet), protected landscape area Konavoski Dvori (Konavle), special forest vegetation reserve with cypress trees: 'Pod Gospu' (Orebić), Ošjak (Vela Luka) forest park, Velika i Mala Petka (Dubrovnik) forest park, Baćina lakes, Lokve special herpetological reserve in Majkovi, the habitat of a strictly protected species, river turtles (Mauremys rivulata).
Architectural sites
Gothic and Gothic-Renaissance summer residences (from Pelješac to Konavle), Franciscan Monastery (Orebić), Ducal Palace (Luka Šipanska), Dubrovnik city walls with the towers Minčeta, Lovrijenac, Revelin, Bokar, St John, the Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery (Dubrovnik), Dominican Monastery (Dubrovnik) and Sponza Palace (Dubrovnik), Church of St Blaise (Dubrovnik), Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dubrovnik), Franciscan Monastery (Rožat), the Račić family mausoleum (Cavtat), traditional stone architecture (Konavle) and Sokol town (medieval fortress in Konavle), Rector's Palace (Konavle), Ston walls (Ston), salt pans in Ston, the pre-Romanesque church Rotonda (Dubrovnik littoral), Dubrovnik littoral tombstones stećci, Rector's Palace (Dubrovnik littoral), Heritage House 'Dubrovačko primorje' (Dubrovnik littoral), Benedictine Monastery (Mljet), remains of a Roman palace and an Early Christian basilica (Polače - Mljet), St. Mark's Cathedral (Korčula), Marco Polo Centre (Korčula), 'stećak' tombstones from the area around Ploče, Plina Jezero, ancient town of Narona (Vid, Metković), medieval amphitheater settlement of Lastovo and 46 island churches and chapels.
Gastronomy
Seafood and fish, veal or octopus prepared under a 'peka' (cooking lid), eel or frog 'brodetto' (Neretva Valley), Mali Ston oysters and mussels (the first product in Croatia to be given the designation of origin), oysters and mussels of the Dubrovnik littoral (Bistrina), local goat meat prepared using a "peka", goat cheese and "makaruli" pasta and meat sauce from Mljet (Mljet), Žrnovo "makaruli" pasta and meat sauce (Korčula), "Srdjele na ražanj" - sardines traditionally prepared by roasting them on a spit (Lastovo).
Cakes: Ston cake, 'kontonjata', 'mantala' and 'arancini' (Konavle), 'padišpanj', 'mantala', 'prikle' (Dubrovnik littoral), "cukarini" and "klašuni" sweets (Korčula), Lumblija cake (Vela Luka and Blato) Wines: Dingač and Postup (Pelješac), Pošip and Grk (Korčula), Malmsey of Dubrovnik (Konavle), Rukatac and Grk (Lastovo)
Health resorts: Vela Luka.
Cycling routes: Konavle, islands of Korčula (Lumbarda - Korčula - Blato - Vela Luka) and Mljet (NP Mljet), Pelješac peninsula, thematic cycling trail - Stećak tombstones of the Dubrovnik Littoral (Slano - Bistrina), Neretva Valley, Baćina Lakes, Neretva - Valley of Life (thematic tourist road).
Hiking trails: Trails around Konavle, trails around Pelješac, trails along the Dubrovnik littoral, trails on the islands of Korčula, Mljet, Lastovo and Lopud, Napoleon's Road (1st stage of Pelješac).
Wine roads: Pelješac Wine Kingdom (Pelješac), island of Korčula.
Horseback riding: Konavle, Korčula. Free climbing: Konavle, the islands of Korčula, Mljet and Lastovo.
Adventure tourism: Adrenalin park in Konavle, ATV safari, JEEP safari, kayaking, bungee jumping, Skybike, Zip Line Dubrovnik, windsurfing, kitesurfing.
Photo safari and mandarin orange picking: Neretva Valley.
Souvenirs: Silk embroidery of Konavle (Konavle), figurine of St Blaise, 'karaka' of Dubrovnik - replica of a sailing ship, braided lavender - Dubrovnik littoral.
Narona Archaeological Site
Ante Starčevića 3, 20350 Metković phone:020/681-899 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.tzmetkovic.hr
Archaeological Museum Narona Naronski trg 6, 20352 Vid Tel: +385 (0)20 691 596 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.a-m-narona.hr
The ancient town of Narona, in the village of Vid, near Metković, the small Church of St Vitus, the early Christian church of Bare, the complex of early Christian basilicas, town walls and the forum with the Temple of Augustus - these are the most precious relics of the historical heritage in this region.
- Natural History Museum Metković
- Kralja Zvonimira 4, 20350 Metković
- Tel: +385 (0)20 690 673
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Web: www.pmm.hr
The richness and diversity of birdlife in the Neretva Delta can be best appreciated through the extensive ornithological collection in Metković. Founded by the famous Croatian ornithologist Dragutin Rucner, the collection is part of the Natural History Museum Metković today.
Ston Town Walls
Ston Municipality Tourist Board Gundulićeva poljana 1, 20230 Ston Tel: +385 (0)20 754 452 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.ston.hr
The fortified complex dating from the 14th century is unique due to its length of 5.5 kilometres, monumental size and for its defensive structures and urban layout. The walls begin and end with the fortresses of
Koruna in Mali Ston and Veliki Kaštio in Ston. The largest fortress is Bartolomeo, which rises above Ston.
Korčula: The Town of Marco Polo
Korčula Tourist Board
- Trg 19. travnja 1921. br. 40, 20260 Korčula
- Tel: +385 (0)20 715 701
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Web: www.visitkorcula.eu
The town of Korčula, the historical heart of the island of the same name, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. This town, the birthplace of Marco Polo, boasts a heritage rich in history, architecture and culture.
Marco Polo Centre
Ul. Depolo 3, 20260 Korčula Tel.: +385 (0)20 711 420 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Web: www.gradskimuzej-korcula.hr
Mljet National Park
Pristanište 2, 20226 Goveđari Tel: +385 (0)20 744 041 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.np-mljet.hr
- Mljet Municipality Tourist Board
- Zabrježe 2, 20225 Babino Polje
- Tel: +385 (0)20 780 7992
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Web: www.mljet.hr
Located in the western part of the island of Mljet, the greenest island in the Adriatic with the most forests, this park is renowned for its deep bays,
Large Lake and Small Lake, lush and diverse Mediterranean vegetation and rich cultural heritage - the best-known being the 12th century Benedictine Monastery on the isle in the Large Lake.
Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Tourist Board
Brsalje 5, 20000 Dubrovnik Tel: +385 (0)20 312 011 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.tzdubrovnik.hr
A city with a unique political and cultural history, and world-renowned monuments - part of the UNESCO heritage. It is one of the most attractive and best-known cities in the Mediterranean, which, in addition to its exquisite natural beauty and its preserved heritage, also offers an exceptionally varied range of tourist facilities and services.
Cavtat Old Town
- Konavle Municipality Tourist Board
- Zidine 6, 20210 Cavtat
- Tel: +385 (0)20 479 025
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Web: www.visit.cavtat-konavle.com
The small medieval town of Cavtat is both the tourist and cultural center of Konavle, boasting valuable cultural sites such as the Mausoleum of the Račić family, the birthplace of the painter Vlaho Bukovac and the Rector's Palace with the collection of Baltazar Bogišić. The Sunday Folklore Plays in Čilipi, mills and presses on the Ljuta River and the Sokol Town Fortress are just a few of the attractions of the rural area in Konavle.
Dalmatia. DUBROVNIK.