Nakovanj: Illyrian Heritage and Hiking Trail

Two themes stand out when choosing a destination in Nakovanj: Illyrian heritage and a hike through the abandoned stone village. Different archaeological aspects can be seen at Grad Hill, in Spila Nakovana cave, and in the finds near Gornja Nakovana. At the same time, a hiking trail leads through Nakovanj toward the summit of Sv. Ilija. History and hiking thus offer two useful perspectives for finding your way around.

Illyrian traces in Nakovanj

The site of an ancient Illyrian fortification has been preserved on Grad Hill. Ramparts and walls reinforced the structure. Spila Nakovana cave contained an Illyrian fertility sanctuary. Thus, a fortified site and a sanctuary stand side by side as different aspects of the Illyrian past: Grad is associated with fortification, while Spila Nakovana is associated with religious use.

Finds from Spila near Gornja Nakovana add to our understanding of the area's history. These include fine Hellenistic pottery used for storing and drinking wine, as well as for ritual feasts and votive offerings. Part of a bone circle marked with zodiac signs was also found and is attributed to an astrologer's table. This find is dated to around 100 BC. The pottery and the bone fragment provide different clues: the pottery is associated with wine and ritual practices, while the zodiac fragment is associated with an astrologer's table. Those interested in archaeology will find both objects used in daily and ritual life and an unusual find with a specific date.

Hiking through the abandoned stone village

A hiking trail toward the summit of Sv. Ilija leads through Nakovanj. The abandoned stone settlement gives the hike a quiet, cultural and historical character. So the focus here is not only on the destination toward the summit, but also on the character of the place the trail passes through. For planning your hike, keep in mind that trail conditions can change; check them before setting out.

Cultural heritage in the wider destination of Orebić

In the wider destination of Orebić, the archaeological site of Špilja Spila Nakovana in Nakovanj is a protected cultural asset. The also-protected cultural and historical complex “Povijesni prostor Nakovana” includes Gornja and Donja Nakovana. Spila Nakovana cave was used as an Illyrian sanctuary during the Iron Age, in the 3rd to 4th centuries BC. This chronology adds to the archaeological perspective on Nakovanj.

Orebić lies alongside Mount Sv. Ilija on one side and the Pelješac Channel on the other. The hiking trails can also be distinguished by their location details: a trail toward the summit leads through Nakovanj; the steepest hiking trail to Sv. Ilija, Ruskovići (04), starts in Orebić. This makes it possible to distinguish the trail through Nakovanj from the path starting in Orebić by its route and starting point.

The Pomorski muzej Orebić preserves the memory of captains and sailors and has archaeological, maritime, and historical book collections. Religious heritage in the wider destination of Orebić also includes the Franciscan monastery, built on Mount Sv. Ilija at an elevation of 150 metres in the 15th century. It houses the Votive Museum, which has a painting of the Virgin Mary said to have washed ashore in Orebić in the 15th century. Behind the Franciscan church is the captains' cemetery with the Mimbelli family mausoleum. Thus, alongside Nakovanj's archaeological themes, the wider destination also features maritime and religious heritage.

Discover more destinations: Kuna Pelješka, Donja Banda, Kuciste, Oskorušno, Trstenik, Orebic, Potomje, Loviste

For the wider travel overview: Orebić.