Pločice: Churches, History and a Water Landscape

Religious architecture, water management and archaeological traces shape Pločice. If you are looking for a hotel in Pločice, these themes can help you understand the destination: the history of the place spans changing dedications, a cistern and a working pond landscape.

Churches and Chapels: Changing Dedications

The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Pločice was expanded in 1869 and rededicated on July 16, 1903. It was originally dedicated to Saint Lazarus; in 2000, its dedication changed from Lazarus to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The different dates mark distinct stages in its history: expansion, rededication and a later change of dedication.

The Chapel of Saint Roch in Račevo Polje has a different history. It began in the 15th century as a chapel dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian. After the plague of 1793, the restored chapel was rededicated to Saint Roch. The 1979 earthquake caused severe damage; the chapel was rebuilt and blessed in 1986.

The church’s architectural history also includes the cemetery chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker, built in 1989. The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the parish house with its bell tower are listed in Konavle as religious buildings and complexes. Pločice is therefore notable both for the history of individual chapels and for the place of church buildings and complexes within the region’s cultural heritage.

Water Management and Agricultural Heritage

A 60-metre-long cistern stands beside the village church. It was built in 1910 to supply water to the military. Its location and purpose connect a specific structure with the use of water at the time.

The Pločićka lokva is used for irrigation by the residents of Pločice and the surrounding villages in Konavle. The wetland habitat also remains in use, and its restoration is linked to the protection of biodiversity. Beside the restored dry-stone pond stands a dry-stone hut, considered a reminder of agricultural life in Konavle. The lokva thus brings together water management, wetland habitat and the memory of farming life.

Railway and Archaeological Traces

With the opening of the Donja Glavska–Zelenika railway line, Pločice became an important station for the Austrian army. This historical role adds a connection to the railway and its military use at the time to the village’s religious and agricultural history.

Archaeological evidence also helps explain the area. The group of five tumuli in Pločice is recognised as an inland archaeological site in Konavle. Illyrian necropolises lie in the Mikulići–Pločice area below Čilipi; they are mostly inaccessible and associated with the grave goods of ancient Illyrian tribal leaders. About 115 stone groups associated with Illyrian necropolises are found mainly in Mikulići, Pločice and below Čilipi.

Općina Konavle: Landscape and Cultural Heritage

The wider destination of Općina Konavle includes a fertile valley up to 35 kilometres long and up to 12 kilometres wide. On the mountain side, the slopes of Snježnica, at 1,234 metres, and Bjelotina form the landscape’s boundaries. On the sea side, steep cliffs stretch from the port of Cavtat through Molunat to the Prevlaka peninsula and Cape Oštro.

Regional cultural sites include Fort Sokol, an important fortress from the time of the Republic of Ragusa, built on the site of earlier Illyrian and Roman fortifications. The Konavle Regional Museum in Čilipi houses around 500 ethnological objects, including traditional costumes, embroidery, other textile work, jewellery, weapons, musical instruments and everyday items.

The watermills on the Ljuta River also illustrate the region’s history. The complex includes eight flour mills, two oil mills and three fulling mills. The system of so-called lower mills, built after 1550, has survived to this day. In the taverns and rural homes of inland Konavle, traditionally prepared dishes are served in old Konavle houses, including meat and fish cooked in a stone oven, smoked ham, cheese preserved in oil and green pasta.

Discover more destinations: Palje Brdo, Zvekovica, Zastolje, Vitaljina, Poljice, Popovići, Lovorno, Vodovađa

For the wider travel guide: Općina Konavle.