Pupnat: Cultural Heritage and Hiking Trails

Landscape and Village Character

Olive groves, vineyards and dense woodland surround Pupnat, a historic settlement set at a high elevation. Traditional houses with stone roofs, as well as a complex of old barns to the southeast, add a rural character to the landscape. The surroundings and traditional architectural forms thus offer two distinct perspectives on the village. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus primarily on the settlement’s history and architecture or on hiking trails through the landscape. One perspective centres on Pupnat’s architectural and cultural features, the other on destinations in the surrounding area. Each offers a distinct, specific focus for your stay.

Church, Brotherhood and Kumpanjija

The parish church of Our Lady of the Snows was first mentioned in 1393 and expanded between 1600 and 1620. Its first mention and later expansion mark two widely separated milestones in the church’s history. The church contains the sarcophagus of Father Marko Tvrdeić. Directly beside the church, the Brotherhood House features exhibitions related to the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Kumpanjija of Pupnat. Their proximity presents the church and the exhibition themes as distinct but connected cultural points of reference: the building’s history and sarcophagus on the one hand, and the brotherhood and customs on the other. For those interested in culture, this offers a perspective ranging from the history of the church building to the named local traditions.

The Kumpanjija of Pupnat is a traditional chain sword dance. It is performed on 5 August for the feast of Our Lady of the Snows, the settlement’s patron saint. The dance is therefore associated with the same patronage that gives the parish church its name. The Kumpanjija also features among the exhibition themes at the neighbouring Brotherhood House. To understand the tradition, both its festive occasion and its connection to the local brotherhood are important. If you would like to plan your trip around the performance, check the programme in advance: the date may change if the programme is adjusted.

Hiking Trails to Four Coves

Pupnat is considered a starting point for hiking trails through the surrounding landscape towards Pupnatska Luka, Bačva, Smokova and Ripna. The four named coves provide specific destination names to guide your hiking plans; you can begin by considering which of them interests you most. Check trail conditions locally when planning your specific hike. Unlike the Kumpanjija, whose performance is tied to the feast on 5 August, hiking plans depend on your chosen destination and local conditions. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether a cultural event on a specific date or exploring the landscape via a named hiking route is your priority.

Discover more destinations: Babina, Racisce, Lumbarda, Čara, Korcula, Zavalatica, Kneza, Zrnovo

For the broader travel overview: Općina Korčula.