Municipality of Zagvozd: Biokovo and protected cultural sites

The Municipality of Zagvozd lies on the northern side of the Biokovo mountain range. It comprises seven settlements; 43 percent of its municipal area lies within Biokovo Nature Park. This puts the landscape in context at the municipal level, while individual trails have their own starting points and conditions. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering the mountain landscape, cultural sites, and access as separate focal points.

Trails around Biokovo

The Milići–Očijeski–Sv. Jure route starts in the village of Milići. The village is about three kilometers from the center of Zagvozd, toward Vrgorac on state road D62. From Milići, the route passes through karst valleys and dense beech forest before reaching a marked trail toward Sv. Jure. The sequence of valley, forest, and marked trail gives the route its distinctive character. As trail conditions can change seasonally, check them before setting out.

The route over Turija Pass offers a different point of reference: its starting point is about ten kilometers from Zagvozd. The Lozovac well is about ten meters from the trail and has water year-round. Nevertheless, check water availability on site before departure. The starting points described here therefore differ: at Milići, the focus is on the village where the route begins; at Turija Pass, it is on the well along the trail.

Getting there and historic routes

The Sveti Ilija Tunnel connects Zagvozd with the Makarska coast. The A1 motorway runs through the municipality; the municipality describes the area as easily accessible by road from all parts of Croatia. The history of the routes is also part of local history, alongside today’s road connections. The historic Francuska cesta was built during French rule. In Zagvozd, it branched off toward Turija and Vrgorac. Those interested in the region’s transport history will find another perspective here on the connection between the settlement and the landscape.

Protected cultural sites in several settlements

In Zagvozd, the Church of Velike Gospe and the Ploča-Vukov greb archaeological site are listed as protected cultural properties in the Croatian Register. Rastovac also has a specific historical connection: the Church of the Holy Cross and the medieval cemetery with stećci there are registered as protected cultural properties. In Krstatice, the Gradinica archaeological site is designated a protected cultural property. In Župa, the Church of St. John the Baptist and an archaeological site are designated protected cultural properties.

The place names help distinguish these sites geographically: Velike Gospe and Ploča-Vukov greb are in Zagvozd, the church and cemetery are in Rastovac, Gradinica is in Krstatice, and the church and archaeological site are in Župa. The municipality therefore offers more than a single cultural point of interest. If you are planning your trip around historical themes, you can use these places as distinct reference points in the settlements.

Theater and cultural program

“Glumci u Zagvozdu” features theater performances, concerts, folk performances, and exhibitions. The edition held on June 26, 2025, was the 28th theater gathering. Check event dates for your intended travel period if you want the gathering to be part of your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zagvozd, Župa, Rastovac, Municipality of Postira, Municipality of Makarska, Municipality of Seget, Municipality of Komiža, Municipality of Lećevica.

Go to the main travel overview: Split-Dalmatia.