Metohija: Wine, Churches and Cultural Landscape

Metohija: Wine, Churches and Cultural Landscape

If you are looking for a hotel in Metohija, you can choose your destination based on three locally rooted themes: wine-growing, cultural landscapes and church architecture. There is also a specific cycling route that reaches Metohija via an uphill gravel road. This offers a clear focus for travellers who want to choose their stay based on the landscape, regional wine and historic religious buildings.

The landscape from Boljenovići through Metohija and Sparagovići to the wider Ponikve area is shaped by cultivation; wine and olive growing are among its cultural practices. In Metohija itself, two wineries can be distinguished by their different, partly shared connections to wine: Ćurlin produces Plavac mali. Ledinić makes wines from Plavac mali and Maraština and offers wine tastings. Plavac mali is produced by both wineries, while Maraština is an additional variety at Ledinić. If a tasting is part of your plans, arrange a visit to Ledinić in advance, as opening arrangements may change.

The churches also offer distinct points of interest for a stay. The Church of St Philip and St James, together with its cemetery, is a protected cultural asset; its architectural features include early Romanesque supports for the altar ceiling. The Church of Our Lady of David is also located above Metohija. The Church of St Philip and St James thus combines a protected cultural site with a specific architectural detail, while the Church of Our Lady of David is a separate landmark above the settlement. Travellers whose focus is more on church architecture than wine will find another theme here to help plan their trip.

For cyclists, MTB Trail 4 is a specific point of reference: the trail reaches Metohija via an uphill gravel road. As route infrastructure may change, check the current route description before setting out.

Culture and Landscape in Općina Ston

The wider destination of Općina Ston offers other cultural and landscape highlights. The historic urban ensemble of Ston and Mali Ston includes the connecting walls, the Mali Ston Bay Nature Reserve, Stonsko Polje and the salt pans. The ensemble is on UNESCO’s Tentative List; this is not the same as being inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The Ston fortification system is 5.5 kilometres long and comprises the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions. Individual structures illustrate its scale: Koruna Tower in Mali Ston consists of four smaller towers. A wall protects the harbour of Mali Ston and ends at the cylindrical Toljevac Tower. The Mali Ston pier dates from 1491.

Stonsko Polje also brings together landscape and history: it preserves the Roman land division and features numerous small churches and chapels. Salt production has continued for a long time at the Ston salt pans. The Mali Ston oyster is another regional speciality in Općina Ston; it has a protected designation of origin from the European Union. Experiences for visitors in Mali Ston Bay include boat trips to oyster farms, with tastings of oysters freshly harvested from the sea. Check current availability if you plan to include this activity.

For a different kind of activity, the Napoleon Road in Općina Ston runs for 7 kilometres to Ponikve and can be travelled by bicycle or on foot. Ston is connected by bus to several cities in Croatia and some cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a year-round ferry connection from Prapratno to the island of Mljet; check the current departure times before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Prapratna, Zaton Doli, Dančanje, Putnikovic, Broce, Duba Stonska, Zuljana, Mali Ston

For the wider travel overview: Općina Ston.