Broce – Harbor and Historic Churches

Broce combines historic churches and a harbor with a coastline considered accessible, as well as dense pine forest. This lets you tailor your hotel search to the kind of stay you have planned.

Broce: Churches, History and Harbor

The Church of All Saints is located in the cemetery in Broce. Its sanctuary is a Renaissance chapel; the nave was added to an earlier courtyard. A second church, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was formerly associated with a Dominican monastery. The church and monastery complex dates to 1646; the church was rebuilt in 1884.

Within the historic urban ensemble of Ston, Broce served as an eastern zone devoted exclusively to defense. Thus, the historic defensive role and the history of sacred architecture complement one another as different aspects of the place. The harbor for yachts and smaller boats lies at the entrance to the narrower inner section of the Ston Channel. It consists of two piers, one of which is listed as cultural heritage. Broce is considered to be surrounded by dense pine forest; the coastline is also considered accessible.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Općina Ston

The wider destination of Općina Ston includes the historic urban ensemble of Ston. It comprises Ston and Mali Ston, the walls connecting them, the Mali Ston Bay nature reserve, Stonsko Polje and the salt pans. The Ston fortification system is 5.5 kilometers long and includes the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions.

The Lapidarij in the Bishop’s Palace in Ston displays stone chancel screens, frescoes and ornaments with rich interlace decoration. They illustrate the artistic work of Ston and its surroundings from Roman antiquity through later historical periods. The Lapidarij is one of the more significant collections of medieval art in southern Croatia. Stonsko Polje also offers a distinct view of the cultural landscape: it preserves the Roman land division and features numerous small churches and chapels. The Church of St. Michael stands on the hill above the polje and has valuable old frescoes.

Landscape, Local Flavors and Routes in Općina Ston

Salt production in the Ston salt pans has continued for a long time. The Vino educational and experience trail begins at the oldest saltworks in the Mediterranean that is still active. The Mali Ston oyster, which has a protected designation of origin from the European Union, is part of the region’s food culture. In Mali Ston Bay, boat trips to oyster farms, with tastings of oysters freshly taken from the sea, are among the visitor experiences.

The stated route details are useful when comparing trails. The Napoleon Road in the municipality of Općina Ston runs for more than seven kilometers to Ponikve and can be traveled by bicycle or on foot. The hiking trail to Mount Sveti Ivan starts at Žuljana beach and climbs toward Vučine Bay; it is listed as six kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 465 meters. The routes therefore differ both in their stated length and in that an elevation gain is specified for Sveti Ivan.

The cycling routes can also be compared by their approximate length: one route runs from Ston through Vino to Prapratno and is about six kilometers long. Another runs from Ston to Kobaš and Marčuleti Bay; its stated length is about eight kilometers. Wine roads and visits to wineries and vineyards lead from Metohija, Boljenovići and Sparagovići via Putnikovići to Dubrava.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around the Destination

For regional road directions, the D-414 state road passes through Ston and Zamaslina to Zaton Doli, the last settlement in the municipality of Općina Ston. Bus routes connect Ston with several cities in Croatia and some cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina; check the timetables before you travel. A ferry runs year-round from Prapratno to the island of Mljet. Check the current departure times before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Mali Ston, Zuljana, Zaton Doli, Metohija, Dančanje, Putnikovic, Prapratna, Hodilje.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Ston.