Broce brings together a distinctive church and defensive history with a port on the Ston Channel. This gives you a clear focus when choosing a destination: you can concentrate on the buildings and the town’s maritime side, or consider Broce as part of the wider destination of Općina Ston. There, you can explore additional topics related to the cultural landscape, history and regional cuisine.

Churches, Defensive History and Port in Broce

The Church of All Saints is located in the cemetery in Broce. Its sanctuary is a Renaissance chapel; the nave was added to an earlier courtyard. These two details draw attention to different parts of the same building: the Renaissance chapel and the earlier courtyard structure to which the nave was attached. Alongside its location, the church therefore offers a specific architectural point of interest.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary also reflects different periods. It was formerly associated with a Dominican monastery; the church and monastery complex date to 1646, while the church was rebuilt in 1884. These dates mark different stages: 1646 is the date assigned to the complex, and 1884 marks the rebuilding of the church. Together with All Saints, it offers a local church focus with traces of different periods of construction and history.

Within Ston’s historic urban ensemble, Broce served exclusively defensive purposes as its eastern zone. This function adds another perspective on the town’s history to its religious and architectural features.

Broce Port lies at the entrance to the narrower inner section of the Ston Channel and consists of two piers. One of them is listed as cultural heritage. Broce also has a harbor for yachts and smaller boats. The town is described as being surrounded by dense pine forest, and its coastline is considered accessible. Alongside the churches, its maritime setting and landscape are further aspects of the town’s character.

Broce as Part of the Wider Destination of Općina Ston

Ston’s historic urban ensemble comprises Ston and Mali Ston, the connecting walls, the Mali Ston Bay nature reserve, Stonsko Polje and the salt pans. Ston’s fortification system is 5.5 kilometers long and includes the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions. This view of the ensemble takes in a broader scale than the individual churches and port in Broce.

The Lapidarium in the Bishop’s Palace in Ston displays stone chancel screens, frescoes and ornaments with rich interlace decoration. The collection illustrates the artistic work of Ston and its immediate surroundings from Roman antiquity through later historical periods. Stonsko Polje preserves the Roman division of the land and contains numerous small churches and chapels.

Regional food culture offers further points of interest: salt production in the Ston salt pans has a long history of continuity. The Mali Ston oyster has a protected designation of origin from the European Union (PDO). In Mali Ston Bay, visitor experiences include boat trips to oyster farms, with tastings of oysters freshly harvested from the sea. Salt production and oyster culture are two distinct themes alongside the buildings and history.

In the wider destination of Općina Ston, routes for active exploration vary in length and elevation. The Napoleon Road in the municipality of Općina Ston runs 7 kilometers to Ponikve and can be traveled by bike or on foot. The hiking route to Mount Sveti Ivan starts at Žuljana beach and climbs toward Vučine Bay; it is 6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 465 meters. Two cycling routes offer another comparison: from Ston through Vino to Prapratno is about 6 kilometers, while the route from Ston to Kobaš and Marčuleti Bay is about 8 kilometers.

Transport is also relevant when getting around the wider destination of Općina Ston: Ston is connected by bus routes to several cities in Croatia and some cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Check the timetables before traveling. A year-round ferry service runs from Prapratno to the island of Mljet; you should also check the latest departure times in advance.

Discover more destinations: Mali Ston, Putnikovic, Duba Stonska, Dančanje, Ston, Metohija, Prapratna, Zuljana.

View the wider travel guide: Općina Ston.