Ston: Discover defensive walls, salt pans and culture

Ston brings together historic architecture, landscapes and traditional salt production. Its fortifications, salt pans and churches each offer a different focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ston, you can base your choice on whether you’d like to explore the defensive walls, learn more about salt production or focus on cultural history.

Defensive Walls and the Town’s History

Ston’s fortification system is 5.5 kilometres long. It includes the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, the Great Wall, 41 towers and six bastions. Visitors can walk along the walls and look out over the salt pans and Stonsko Polje towards the surrounding landscape. In the Middle Ages, Ston spread across the southern slopes of Sveti Mihajlo. As part of the Republic of Dubrovnik, it was the second-largest town after Dubrovnik.

Salt Production and Adriatic Culture

The DVOR Interpretation Centre focuses on the cultural and natural heritage of the Adriatic, with a particular focus on Pelješac. Its interactive exhibition uses modern technology to present Adriatic culture and history, the Adriatic’s maritime tradition, and the culinary heritage of the Pelješac area. A visit therefore complements a tour of historic Ston with insights into local culture and cuisine.

The salt pans of Ston preserve a traditional method of salt production, in which the sun, sea, wind and human labour work together. The result is ecological salt and fleur de sel. Visitors can choose a visit that includes a film about the salt harvest or an explanation of salt production and the history of the salt pans.

The Malostonska oyster is also part of the area’s culinary heritage. In 2019, it became the first Croatian marine product to receive an EU designation of origin. In the wider destination of Općina Ston, visitor experiences in Mali Ston Bay also include boat trips to oyster farms, with tastings of oysters freshly taken from the sea.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Church of St Nicholas is late Romanesque, and the monastery dates from the 15th century. The church houses a large painted wooden crucifix, created by Blaž Jurjev in 1420. The Knežev dvor is also part of the town’s historical heritage: since 16 November 2007, it has been under preventive protection as an immovable cultural asset.

The Church of St Michael preserves some of the oldest frescoes in the area and is considered one of the most valuable early medieval monuments. It is thought that it was once a palace chapel within the Rector’s Palace complex. This tentative historical interpretation also makes a visit interesting for travellers interested in architectural history and the changing uses of religious buildings.

A Walking or Cycling Route

Napoleonova cesta starts beside the salt pans of Ston and runs for 7 kilometres to Ponikve. The climb is moderate, and the route is suitable for walking or cycling. It offers another way to experience the area on a longer route and add some outdoor activity to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Metohija, Duba Stonska, Hodilje, Dančanje, Zuljana, Mali Ston, Putnikovic, Prapratna.

View the wider travel overview: Općina Ston.