Peninsula of Pelješac in Croatia

[Photos] [Presentation] [Situation] [Visits] [Culture] [Practical Information] [Other topics]

[Previous topics] [Croatia] [Parent topics] [Next topics] [Via Gallica]

Presentation

General information

Peljeski kanal. Click to enlarge the image.

The peninsula of Pelješac is a long and broad mountainous spit of land 65 8 km kilometers, almost perfectly parallel at the Dalmatian coast in north, facing the south in the island of Korčula.

Wrongfully been unaware of tourists who do nothing but pass between Dubrovnik and Korčula, this long peninsula however gathers all the charms of Dalmatia. Authentic and preserved, she saw fishing, salt pans and ostreiculture, and its wines are among most famous of the country, as the many suckers testify some. Its particular topography - it is narrow and very mountainous, culminating to 961 m -, its chain of traditional villages and its small pebble beaches draw often spectacular landscapes.

The peninsula of Pelješac produces two famous red wines the “postup” and the “dingač”.

Situation

Connected to the dry land to 167 km in the south of Split and to 59 km north of Dubrovnik, the peninsula of Pelješac is the main door of the island of Korčula.

Visits

Coming from Dubrovnik, one goes along initially Malostonski kanal, which separates the peninsula from the continent and whose green water accommodates conchylaceous exploitations. The oysters and the moulds of Mali Ston are famous in all the country. The archeologists put at the day of the fossilized stakes which were used for this activity during prehistory.
The peninsula is arid and deserted on its north-western side, on which breath will bora it, and on the contrary green, glaze of vine and orange trees, on its opposite slope which skirts Pelješki kanal separating the peninsula from the island of Korčula.

The road which leaves Orebić and climbs in the mountain in the direction of Dubrovnik offers a spectacular panorama, while zigzagant between the covered tops of garigue, then of a thick forest. It goes down again then gently towards the sea, by overhanging it “will riviera” of Pelješac. With the turning of a turn, one sees the other side of the peninsula and the Dalmatian continent.

History, literature, arts, traditions, legends, religions, myths, symbols…

History
The archaeological excavations showed that the peninsula of Pelješac was already occupied approximately 7,000 years before J. - C. Illyriens do one of it their fortified towns but she expands at the time Roman, with the culture of the vine and the olive-tree, and production of salt. These activities, which survived the fall of the Roman Empire, bring the wealth to him. As of the 8th century, the peninsula became populated Slavic tribes.
Under the Republic
In 1358, at the conclusion of meticulous negotiations with the kings Serb and Bosnian, the republic of Dubrovnik buys the peninsula, which brings a strategic situation to bar the road with the invasions come from Dalmatia power station or sea to him. The Ragusains rich person see also all the economic interest of the salt pans and the fertile grounds. The inhabitants of Pelješac profit, for their part, of the cultural radiation of Dubrovnik and its architects. The noble ones of the city come to be made build second homes and Ston becomes the second city of the republic.
The Time of the Captains
After the decline of Dubrovnik, wedged between the threats Turkish and Venetian, the inhabitants turn to the maritime activities to survive. The boats of the peninsula make trade with the wearing of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and, later, of Asia and Americas. At the 19th century, the merchant fleet counts 70 transatlantic ships!

Practical information

General information

In car
To arrive on the peninsula in the car, to leave the coastal road to 52 km in the south of Ploče or to 49 km north of Dubrovnik. Starting from this junction, Ston is in 6 km and Orebić, 63 km.
In bus
At the beginning of Dubrovnik, bus serve Ston (3 by day) and Orebić (2 per day). Connections Trpanj-Orebić (2 to 3 per day). Lovište is served only 2 times per week.
Sea links
The northern coast of the peninsula is connected to the south of will riviera of Makarska by the line Ploče-Trpanj (2 to 7 crossings per day according to the period; 1:00 of way). Orebić is connected several times per day to Korčula (port of Dominče) by a ferry (departure every hour, 10 to 18 crossings per day; duration 15 min) and by a boat for pedestrians (5 to 13 crossings per day; duration 20 min). A new line starts from Prapratno (to 4 km of Ston) towards the island of Mljet (up to 4 per day in summer; last return to 20:00; 1:30 of way). In season, one can also join the island of Mljet by the ferry Trstenik-Polače (2 to 3 per day; 1:45 duration).