Sights to see, places to visit (Ston, Croatia) / Znamenitosti za vidjeti, mjesta za posjetiti ( Ston, Hrvatska)

Hello and welcome to another feature of 'Sights to see, Places to Visit'. It's been a while since my last one. Anyway, today I'm taking you to Ston, a small but fascinating city in vicinity of Dubrovnik. Ston is both a city and the name of a municipality that consists of a number of small villages, including Mali Ston ( meaning Little Ston) that is located in immediate vicinity. One could even say that it is connected with this city. 

Ston is mainly known for its famous Walls, also known as the European Wall of China. Originally more than 7 km long, the Walls of Ston surround the Ston city and were (as you might guess) build to protect the city. Why the city needed so much protection, you might ask? Two words: Salt works. 

 That brings us to is second attraction which are the still operating salt works. Ston has the oldest salt works ( saltern) in Mediterranean (possibly even in the whole Europe).  At the time the city walls were build, Ston belonged to the Republic of Dubrovnik, but foreigners often attacked the city trying to steal its salt, which at times, was measured by its weight in gold. So, in efforts to defend its salt works the Republic of Dubrovnik build a whole network of defense- but we'll leave that talk for some other time.

Ston city was modeled on Dubrovnik city.  Not surprising, since this city was build, maintained and protected by the Republic of Dubrovnik.  Today the Walls are 5.5 km long and in a shape of pentagon. Within the Walls, there are fifteen blocks, each consisting of ten houses. Two most notable buildings to see are the Bishop's Palace and The Republic Chancellery. 

The church you see behind me (on the first photograph and many others to come) was badly damaged in the earthquake in the nineties. The church is dedicated to Saint Blaise, who is also a patron saint of Dubrovnik. This is actually the third church build at this exact place. The first two churches were destroyed in an earthquake. We shall hope the third time the charm.

If you really want to dive into Ston history,  you need to learn about the history of Republic of Dubrovnik. You see, their histories are intervowen. Ston used to belong to the Republic of Dubrovnik. It is a place of unique beauty. Naturally, it attracts many visitors. However, it is still not too crowded. 

3 AMAZING HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT STON CITY

1. STON HAS THE LONGEST FORTIFIED WALLS IN EUROPE (AND THE SECOND LONGEST WALLS IN EUROPE BY LENGTH CRITERIA )

The Walls of Ston are second only to Hadrian's wall in England in length, earning them the second longest wall in Europe title. However, they are actually the first when it comes to fortified walls category. Ston boosts with the longest fortified walls in Europe!

2. STON HAS THE OLDEST SALTWORKS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA 

Besides the impressive fortified historical walls, Ston also has the oldest saltworks in the Mediterranean.  The salt is still harvested the same way in Ston saltworks!

3. STON IS THE SECOND FULLY PLANNED CITY IN EUROPE

 Ston was modeled on Dubrovnik and built according to the plans approved by the Dubrovnik government in 1335 and amended in 1370. Ston city city was build, maintained and protected by the Republic of Dubrovnik.  

It is considered one of the best planned and best-structured cities in Europe. You could say it is a miniature of Dubrovnik, protected by Walls.  Within the Walls, there are fifteen blocks, each consisting of ten houses. Two most notable buildings to see are the Bishop's Palace and The Republic Chancellery. 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN STON TOWN? MY RECOMMENDATIONS!

- ENJOY STROLLING AROUND AND SEEING 'MINIATURE DUBROVNIK'

- VISIT THE 4000 THOUSAND YEAR OLD SALT PANS

- BUY ORGANIC SALT AND SALT SOUVENIRS

- ENJOY THE AMAZING RESTAURANTS BEST KNOWN FOR SEAFOOD 

- VISIT MUSEUMS, HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND CHURCHES

- WALK THE FAMOUS WALLS OF STON

- PET THE VERY FRIENDLY CATS 

- AND FINALLY TAKE MANY PHOTOS!

THE HISTORY OF THE WALLS OF STON

CITED FROM WIKIPEDIA: 

The Walls of Ston (Croatian: Stonske zidine) are a series of defensive stone walls, originally more than 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long, that surrounded and protected the city of Ston, in Dalmatia, part of the Republic of Ragusa, in what is now southern Croatia.[1] Their construction was begun in 1358.[2] On the Field Gate of the Walls (Poljska vrata) there is a Latin inscription which dates from 1506. Today, it is one of the longest preserved fortification systems in the world.[3]

The Walls of Ston were known as the "European Great Wall of China".[4]

The wall, today 5.5 kilometres long, links Ston to Mali Ston, and is in the shape of an irregular pentangle. It was completed in the 15th century, along with its 40 towers (20 of which have survived) and 5 fortresses. Within, three streets were laid from north to south and three others from east to west. Thus, fifteen equal blocks were formed with 10 houses in each. Residential buildings around the edges. The Gothic Republic Chancellery and the Bishop's Palace are outstanding among the public buildings.

The main streets are 6 m wide (except the southern street which is 8 m wide) and the side streets are two m wide. The town was entered by two city gates: the Field Gate (Poljska vrata) has a Latin inscription and dates from 1506. The centres of the system are the fortress Veliki kaštio in Ston, Koruna in Mali Ston and the fortress on Podzvizd hill (224 m). Noted artist who work on the walls project are Michelozzo, Bernardino Gatti of Parma and Giorgio da Sebenico (Juraj Dalmatinac).[6]

The city plan of Dubrovnik was used as a model for Ston, but since Ston was built on prepared terrain, that model was more closely followed than Dubrovnik itself.

Ian Plummer (USA) currently holds the world record for fastest run over the wall connecting Ston to Mali Ston. The record was set on June 15, 2019. While the female record was set by Cora Taylor (UK) on July 8th, 2019.

MORE LINKS

• Ston
• Walls of Dubrovnik
• List of cities with defensive walls
• List of castles in Croatia
• Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Croatia
• STON, HRVATSKA ENCIKLOPEDIJA (korisno za informacije na hrvatskom) 

Believe it or not, this was actually my first visit to Ston city. I always wanted to go, but only recently I finally got the opportunity. We went there on the 1st of May. A friends of ours decided to go there on a whim. When called us asked us whether we would like to join them,we got ready in a half an hour and headed there. It was a lovely sunny day. Exactly as one imagines the first of May ought to be. I wore a casual outfit because we planned to do a lot of walking. I have had this ruffled shirt for ages, but I never seem to get tired of it. So, I paired it with this silver skirt and biker boots. I think it was a pretty good outfit for an active day. I felt dressed up, but not overdresses. Anyway, we didn't end up visiting the famous Walls, but we  enjoyed a fabulous lunch and went for a stroll in Little Ston (more about that in my next post). There were so many tourists everywhere! I guess that everyone knows about this place.

Another thing Ston is famous for is its cuisine, most notably sea food. There are a dozen of seafood restaurants in Ston city. The one we ate in was marvelous, the dishes were delicious and the service was very friendly. If you visit this city and decide to dine there, you must try sea food. I couldn't  fully enjoy it for health reasons, I only had a little bite to taste it...and it was delicious. I admire my strength of will...It took a lot of will strength not to eat it all. I actually ordered a tuna salad and it was yummy but still I envied my husband who ate about a kilo of seafood. 

Finally, the salt works. I do recommend visiting them. They are not only beautiful but educational. Salt in Ston is of exceptional quality. My husband always says it is the best in world. I can attest to that, but it is probably the best salt one can find in Croatia. Thank you for reading!

CITED FROM SALTWORKS SALT SITE- THE HISTORY

The area of Ston thanks to its geographical position, fertile fields, abundance of water and salinity, natural resources as well as a short peninsula which connects Pelješac with the main land, became a very important residence area for people. Solana dates back to the Roman times, two thousand years B.C. In ancient times the area was inhabited by the Ilyrians and Greeks and from 167 B.C. the Roman rule begins and this is the first time that exploitation and salt collecting is mentioned in are Ston area.The Ston salt pans are the oldest in Europe and the largest preserved ones in the history of the Mediterranean. Way back in 877. The Ston diocese is mentioned, so it is assumed that this is the oldest diocese on Croatian ethnic space. The Romans leave behind them the distribution of the Ston fields and the name of this area Stagnum – Stamnum which means stagnant or still water. This indeed is an indication that already in those times there was salinity and that the name came from the natural characteristics of the area – the salt pans.

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DON'T FORGET TO READ ABOUT MY VISITS TO 

MALI STON!

MY TRAVEL STON POST FROM 2017

MY POST FROM 2023

REVISIT STON (CROATIA) WITH IVANA! (modaodaradosti.blogspot.com)