Janjina lies inland on the Pelješac peninsula at its narrowest point, about 2 kilometres from both coasts. The historic town centre developed in the 15th century; the townscape includes several captains’ houses from the 19th century.
Renting a holiday apartment in Janjina is an option for planning your own stay.
Culture and History
The parish church of St Blaise was built in 1876 and opened on 5 May 1878. Its upper, pyramid-shaped section of the bell tower was made in 1929 from stone from Korčula. The church is said to have been built according to Gothic designs.
Above Janjina lies Gradina, an Illyrian hillfort surrounded by numerous tumuli. The remains of the pre-Romanesque Church of St George include a late medieval cemetery. Fragments with interlaced ornament and a donor inscription bearing the name Petar have survived from its altar screen.
Above the entrance to the former ducal palace is a rustic relief of the seated Saint Blaise. At the cemetery church of St Stephen, the walls of a Roman country house and stelae from the 1st century were found.
Landscape
The landscape around Janjina is characterised by vineyards, olive groves and Dalmatian maquis. Endemic flora has been documented in the wider Pelješac area. More than 15 orchid species have been recorded around Janjina, mainly in olive groves and on dry, rocky soil.
Getting Around
A well-maintained waterfront promenade connects Drače and Sreser within the municipality of Janjina. The Janjina Tourist Board co-initiated the Pelješac Outdoor project, which maps and marks cycling and hiking trails across the entire Pelješac peninsula.
The interactive Pelješac trail map provides information on trail type, difficulty level and elevation gain, as well as downloadable GPX tracks, descriptions, safety information and trail photographs. In addition, the tourist boards of Pelješac provide an interactive map for mountain biking and hiking tours; it shows five circular mountain bike routes and six hiking routes.
The municipality of Janjina has cycling and hiking trails. The beaches in its coastal settlements also include pebble beaches. In the area in front of Sreser, excursions by kayak and small boat to nearby islets are offered.
A cycling route leads into Janjina and onwards towards Sreser and Osobjava. The section leading to Janjina offers views of nature and the sea through forest with Kermes oaks, strawberry trees, sage, rosemary, immortelle and other herbs. The entire cycling section is approximately 40 kilometres long, can be completed without dismounting and is recommended for an e-bike.
Local Produce
Agriculture, winegrowing and olive cultivation form the economic foundation of Janjina. The small family-run Dežulović winery produces wine, spirits and olive oil, drawing on a long family tradition of winegrowing and olive cultivation. It is located on the main road in Pelješac and has parking spaces.
Zlato Nelino olive oil is made from the Oblica and Paštrica olive varieties, which come from trees more than 100 years old. Along the route, traditional taverns serve homemade food.
More local pages: Popova Luka, Osobjava, Drace, Sreser.
