Municipality of Runovići: Cultural Heritage and Craftsmanship

The Municipality of Runovići can be explored through specific cultural and landscape themes: a bridge and archaeological site, churches and religious festivals, as well as the Vrljika and preserved mills each offer a different perspective. In Slivno, these are joined by blacksmithing that continues to this day. The local picture therefore ranges from historic structures to a living craft tradition.

Cultural Heritage in Runović and Slivno

The Brvina Bridge spans the Vrljika and is registered as an individual cultural asset under the reference number Z-7066 both in the Municipality of Runovići and in the settlement of Runović. The archaeological site of Greblje-Grebnik is located in Slivno; it is registered as an individual cultural asset within the municipality under reference number Z-4627. The two sites show different forms of cultural heritage: a structure over the river and an archaeological site.

In Runović, the parish church of Gospe od Karmela dates from 1869. Its cemetery is also part of the municipality’s tangible cultural heritage. The chapel of Gospe od Zdravlja has a bell tower dating from 1894; the complex of the parish house, chapel and surrounding buildings is also part of the cultural heritage. In Slivno, the Church of the Holy Trinity houses a large 18th-century painting by Filippo Naldi depicting the Virgin Mary and saints. There is also a late medieval cemetery with stećci, which likewise forms part of the municipality’s tangible cultural heritage.

Craftsmanship and Religious Festivals

The blacksmithing tradition of the Nogalo family has been part of its family history for more than two and a half centuries. According to family tradition, the family built a stone house in Slivno in 1774. Brothers Ante and Nediljko Nogalo continue to forge there using traditional methods, making or repairing tools for agriculture, stoneworking and construction. In Slivno, a family tradition dating back to 1774 thus exists alongside a craft that is still practised today.

The Ganga Festival is a recurring traditional event. Its 24th edition took place in Slivno on 22 August 2026 and featured Ganga singing, gusle playing and regional traditional culture. The parish feast of Gospe od Karmela is celebrated on 16 July, commemorating the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A festival featuring singing and gusle playing and a religious feast day with a fixed date thus represent different forms of cultural life in the municipality.

The Vrljika and Camino Imota

Within the municipality, the Vrljika River is also known as Vrljika Matica. The Vrljika is protected under the Natura 2000 programme, with site code HR2000933. Old mills have been preserved along the Vrljika and other watercourses in the municipality’s karst field. The river is therefore both a locally named watercourse and part of the protected natural heritage; the mills add a historic element to this landscape.

The Camino Imota route, described by Visit Imota, runs on its third day from Zelena katedrala via Kamenmost, Zmijavci and Runovići to Vinjani and Imotski; the route ends at the Church of Sv. Frane. The route description dates from the early 2020s. Before setting out, check the current route and trail markings if you plan to include it in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Slivno, Runović, Municipality of Podbablje, Municipality of Vrlika, Municipality of Muć, Municipality of Tučepi, Municipality of Vrgorac, Municipality of Hrvace.

For the broader travel overview: Split-Dalmatia.