Municipality of Ston: Salt Pans, Walls and Oyster Tradition

Salt Pans, Walls and Historic Places

Salt has been produced in the salt pans of Ston for a long time. The historic urban ensemble comprises 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 km long and includes the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions. Those particularly interested in architectural history will find many different parts of an interconnected fortification system here, rather than just a single tower.

In Mali Ston, the Koruna tower consists of four smaller towers. A wall protects the harbour and ends at the cylindrical Toljevac tower; the pier dates from 1491. In Ston, the Lapidarium in the Bishop’s Palace is one of the more significant collections of medieval art in southern Croatia. The exhibits include stone chancel screens, frescoes and ornaments with rich interlace decoration. They illustrate artistic production from Roman antiquity through later historical periods.

Stonsko Polje also offers a distinct historical perspective: 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 plain and features valuable old frescoes. In Žuljana, the Church of St Roko-Julian stands in the centre of the village. This allows you to shape your stay around the walls, sacred art and the expansive cultural landscape of the plain.

Exploring on Foot and by Bike

The Napoleon Road runs for 7 km through the Municipality of Ston to Ponikve and can be travelled by bike or on foot. Another cycling route leads from Ston through Vino to Prapratno and is about 6 km long. There is also an approximately 8 km cycling route from Ston to Kobaš and Marčuleti Bay. The routes have different destinations; their stated lengths can help you include suitable excursions in your daily plans without combining them into a single route.

For a hike, the trail to Mount Sveti Ivan climbs from Žuljana Beach towards Vučine Bay. The route is 6 km long and has an elevation gain of 465 metres. These details provide a concrete comparison with the cycling routes: if you prefer walking, you can take the distance and significant elevation gain into account when planning this excursion. The “Vino” educational and interpretive trail starts at the oldest saltworks in the Mediterranean that is still in operation, adding a connection to salt production to the trails.

Oysters, Wine and Excursions on the Water

The Mali Ston oyster has a Protected Designation of Origin in 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; boat trips also visit oyster and mussel farms. If you are interested in regional products, you can include this as a highlight in your holiday plans alongside the historic sights.

Wine routes and visits to wineries and vineyards lead from Metohija, Boljenovići and Sparagovići through Putnikovići to Dubrava. In Žuljana, diving is available at dive sites organised by local dive centres. The Feast of St Martin in Žuljana includes a traditional wine tasting on the beach on 11 November. These different activities combine local food and wine culture with opportunities to spend time on the water, while ensuring that not every excursion has the same character.

Getting There and Places to Explore Further

The D-414 state road passes through Ston and Zamaslina to Zaton Doli, the last settlement in the Municipality of Ston. Bus services from Ston connect to several cities in Croatia and to some cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A ferry runs year-round from Prapratno to the island of Mljet. These transport links may be a factor when choosing your base, especially if you want to combine your journey with excursions or a ferry trip.

For further orientation in the municipality: Zuljana, Putnikovic, Ston, Prapratna, Hodilje, Zaton Doli, Dančanje, Broce, Metohija, Mali Ston and Duba Stonska are other places you can consider when looking for a suitable location for your holiday apartment.

For the wider travel overview: Peljesac.