A long tradition of salt production continues in the salt pans of Ston. This connection to salt-making sits alongside stone fortifications and the oyster culture of Mali Ston: Općina Ston can be discovered through its landscape, architectural history and regional products.
Salt and Stone in Ston
The historic urban ensemble encompasses Ston and Mali Ston, the connecting walls, the Mali Ston Bay Nature Reserve, Stonsko Polje and the salt pans. The fortification system is 5.5 kilometres long. It includes the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions. These figures give an impression of the scale of the complex, whose individual parts are spread across the two towns and the surrounding cultural landscape.
In Mali Ston, the Koruna tower consists of four smaller towers. A wall protects the harbour and ends at the cylindrical Toljevac tower; the mole dates from 1491. Those interested in the area's art and architectural history will find one of the more important collections of medieval art in southern Croatia at the Lapidarij in the Bishop's Palace in Ston. It features stone chancel screens, frescoes and ornaments with elaborate interlace decoration. They illustrate artistic activity in Ston and its immediate surroundings from Roman antiquity through later historical periods.
Stonsko Polje is also part of this multifaceted picture: it preserves the Roman land division and is home to numerous small churches and chapels. The Church of St Michael stands on the hill above the polje and contains valuable old frescoes. In Žuljana, the Church of St Roko-Julian stands in the centre of the village.
Oysters, Wine and Local Traditions
The Mali Ston oyster has a protected designation of origin in the European Union. Boat trips in Mali Ston Bay visit oyster and mussel farms. Visitor experiences also include trips to oyster farms, with a tasting of oysters freshly harvested from the sea. This way, the product and its origin are not just on the menu, but become part of discovering the bay.
Wine roads and visits to wineries and vineyards lead from Metohija, Boljenovići and Sparagovići via Putnikovići to Dubrava. In Žuljana, the feast of St Martin on 11 November includes a traditional wine tasting on the beach. Oysters, vineyards and the feast reveal different sides of the region's food and wine culture without needing to be combined into a single experience.
Exploring on Foot and by Bicycle
To hike up Mount Sveti Ivan, start at Žuljana beach and follow the uphill trail towards Vučine Bay. The route is six kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 465 metres. Another option is the Napoleon Road in the municipality of Općina Ston: it runs for 7 km to Ponikve and can be travelled by bicycle or on foot. The Vino educational and nature trail begins at the oldest saltworks in the Mediterranean that is still in operation.
For cycling, local guides list two routes of different lengths: one runs from Ston through Vino to Prapratno and is about six kilometres long; another goes from Ston to Kobaš and Marčuleti Bay and is about eight kilometres long. Žuljana also offers diving at attractive dive sites, organised by local dive centres. The options range from walking trails and cycling routes to diving, with each activity offering its own way to explore.
The coast also offers different nautical options: in Broce it is accessible to yachts and smaller boats, while Kobaš is considered a destination for yacht owners and sailors.
Travel Information
The D-414 state road runs through Ston and Zamaslina to Zaton Doli, the last settlement in the municipality of Općina Ston. Bus services connect Ston with several cities in Croatia and a number of cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina; check timetables before travelling. A year-round ferry service runs from Prapratno to the island of Mljet. It is worth checking the latest departure times when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Zuljana, Putnikovic, Ston, Prapratna, Hodilje, Zaton Doli, Dančanje, Broce, Metohija, Mali Ston, Duba Stonska.
See the wider travel overview: Peljesac.
