Katuni: Roman Traces, Churches and Themed Trails

Katuni brings together archaeological traces, religious art and themed trails. When searching for a hotel, it may help to first decide which focus you want to shape your stay: Roman roads and fortifications, the artworks in the parish churches, or the agricultural and culinary character of the wider region. The local features offer specific points of reference.

Themed Trails Around Katuni

Several municipal themed hiking trails include Katuni. One of the routes connects Vlake, Mandušića Kula, Mandušići and UBDM. In the wider destination of Općina Šestanovac, a themed trail leads as far as Katuni Brdo; it is named Gornji Balići – Juričići – Smilovići – Katuni Brdo. The routes can therefore be distinguished by their named points. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Roman Roads and the Kulina Fortification

Vlake preserves the remains of a junction between two Roman roads. Ruts cut into the stone are about 1.4 metres apart. In the wider destination of Općina Šestanovac, the site is significant for understanding ancient transport infrastructure in the Dalmatian hinterland.

Kulina, a prehistoric fortification with a surviving rampart, lies in the southern part of Vlake. Traces of its use date from the Middle Ages and the early modern period. The two sites draw attention to different aspects of history: Vlake to ancient roads, and Kulina to a fortified structure and its later use.

Two Parish Churches and Their Artworks

The old parish church of the Assumption of Mary was restored in 1722. It contains a large painting of the Last Judgment by Filip Naldi, dated 1759, and a stone rose window made on Brač. The new parish church of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces was completed and consecrated in 1970. Behind its main altar is a mosaic by Josip Botteri Dini measuring more than 100 square metres.

The artworks offer a concrete way to distinguish the churches by theme: the old parish church features paintings and a stone window, while the new one has a large-scale mosaic behind the altar. The churches thus complement the archaeological themes with religious art.

Marasca Cherries and Regional Cuisine

In Katuni–Prpuša, the 2025 municipal programme describes an organic Marasca cherry orchard covering 70 hectares and containing around 20,000 trees. Marasca cherries from Katuni–Prpuša are used for liqueurs, spirits, vitamin syrups, juices, preserves, and frozen or dried fruit. The subject therefore spans both an agricultural crop and its various forms of processing.

In the wider destination of Općina Šestanovac, lamb is prepared on a spit according to a traditional recipe. In Šestanovac and the wider Dalmatian Zagora, veal cooked under the peka and homemade bread baked in a hearth are also part of the food culture. If you plan to try one of these dishes, ask the establishment about its current offer.

The Regional Setting of Općina Šestanovac

At the level of Općina Šestanovac, the municipality is bounded by Biokovo to the southeast and by the Cetina River canyon to the south. The landscape of Općina Šestanovac includes fertile fields in karst depressions on the left bank of the Cetina, a parallel karst ridge and a plateau. This regional setting complements Katuni’s local themes with another perspective on the landscape and helps you put your travel-planning priorities into context.

Discover more destinations: Žeževica, Kreševo, Šestanovac.

View the overview of the wider destination: Općina Šestanovac.