Dalmatia-Dubrovnik Region-Emerald beauty of the south

At the far southern end of Dalmatia, and therefore of Croatia, lies a very special area, both with regard to nature and for its cultural and historical signifi cance. Although better known for its history and culture, for that is where Dubrovnik, Croatia’s most beauteous city is, the natural loveliness of the area does not lag behind the results achieved by human hands. Quite the contrary, for here, Mother Nature has been truly extravagant in sowing her jewels. In this, the smallest coastal tourist region, comprising just the County of Dubrovnik-Neretva, those emerald-like marvels appear one after the other.

Among this string of islands it is difficult to decide which is more beautiful: verdantly green Mljet and Lastovo, or Korčula, the largest island; or the Elafiti islands, with their marvellous old summer residences. Or indeed the beautiful, fertile Konavle valley, or the mountainous Pelješac peninsula and its vineyards, the unique wetlands landscape the Neretva Delta; or Trsteno, the most beautiful of all Croatia’s arboretums, and many other features. Altogether they make this area one of the most attractive in the whole of the Mediterranean. The western part of the island of Mljet is protected as a national park, the remote island of Lastovo as a nature park, and there are also a number of other, smaller protected areas. A kind of gateway to the Croatian south is Maloston Bay which has insinuated itself deepest into land where the Pelješac peninsula comes close to the mainland shore. The waters of this beautiful bay are so clean that the well-known oyster farm has been located there.

If we approach this area from the north, before reaching the Maloston Bay we come to a very special part of Dalmatia: the NERETVA DELTA. Th is is the only large natural delta, also wetland area, on the whole of the Croatian coast, and due to its preserved wetland landscape and the large number of birds it has been protected as a wetland of world signifi cance (the Ramsar Area). The abundance of water in the Neretva Valley is refl ected in the traditional method employed to work the land: channels being dug in the wetlands in order to create arable areas using the excavated soil. Consequently, many plots can be reached only by boat: the unique trupica of the Neretva. Among the numerous agricultural products harvested in the delta, tangerines occupy a special place.

The most important protected area of the Dalmatian south is MLJET National Park, situated on the homonymous island. The park covers the western part of the island, which many regard as the most alluring in the Adriatic, full of lush and varied Mediterranean vegetation. It includes two deep bays which, due to their extremely narrow links to the sea, are regarded, and indeed called, lakes: Great Lake and Small Lake. Mljet also has a very rich cultural heritage, the most prominent example being the complex of the 12th-century Benedictine monastery. The monastery is located on a small isle in the middle of the Great Lake and is set in a lush park. Over the course of centuries numerous chronicles, dissertations and other literary works have been written here. Located within the monastery is the church of St Mary. Viewed from the air both lakes do appear as though they are in fact bays. The shallowness and the slow fl ow of water towards the open sea ensures that in summer months the water temperature is much higher than on the open, seaward side of the island, which is very rugged and full of caves and cliffs. In order to protect nature, yachts and tourist vessels are allowed to approach only as far as the entrance to the Soline Straits which allow access to the Great and Small Lakes. Yachtsmen can drop anchor only in the safe cove of Polače on the northern shores of the park. And while in Polače, it is worth visiting the remains of the Roman fortifi cation and palaces after which the village took its name.

Almost the entire area of the national park is covered by dense pine forest, especially enchanting at dusk. Owing to many years of protection, there are numerous extremely old trees and a variety of subtropical plants. It is therefore small wonder that the favourite form of recreation among visitors are walks along the pleasant, shady paths amid the wealth of the lush vegetation of the park, and bicycle rides by the lakes. Many of the paths will also lead strollers to the village of Goveđari, known for its beautiful folk costumes, while by crossing the old bridge visitors can walk across the pass from the Great Lake to the Small Lake. The only vessels permitted on the lakes are the national park’s special excursion boats, kayaks and canoes , and boats belonging to the few inhabitants of the several tiny hamlets located by their shores.

The other significant protected area in the Croatian south is LASTOVSKO OTOČJE (Lastovo islands) Nature Park. This remote group of islands is richly indented, full of greenery and boasts a unique folklore tradition. One of the reasons for such a high degree of preservation, and the special atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, is their remoteness: it takes a more than four-hour journey from the mainland to reach them. The waters of Lastovo allow true lovers of a maritime life to indulge themselves fully, and only experienced yachtsmen sail these distant islands. Lastovo is equally attractive when approached from the north, in the direction of the small port of Pasadur, via the open sea towards enchanting Skrivena luka (Hidden Port), or by simply sailing into any of the romantic coves to be found on all sides of this magical island. Having sailed into the waters of Lastovo the most experienced sailors will not miss out on the chance of visiting any one of the island’s lighthouses, particularly Glavat, located on a tiny isle east of the main island of Lastovo, or Sušac, sitting on a cliff far out into the open sea. Today, these lighthouses have been transformed into tourist facilities for those yearning for utter solitude and primeval romantic charm. Visitors arriving to Lastovo by ferry or ship can also enjoy the clean, natural environment since throughout this hilly island there are numerous pleasant trails and paths, as well as magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes. The only relatively large settlement on the island, Lastovo, is quite remarkable in itself: spread in the form of an amphitheatre across the slopes of a mount above a fertile valley. The village of Lastovo also has other features which set it apart: the unique chimneys of its houses, and its quite specific carnival.

The emerald beauty of the subtropical south of Croatia is just as magnifi cently lush in the immediate vicinity of the ancient city of Dubrovnik, a pearl of World Cultural Heritage and a trade mark of Croatian tourism. To its south, at the southernmost point of the Croatian mainland, is the small Prevlaka peninsula, protected as an outstanding landscape. Its specific strategic position at the entrance to Boka kotorska Bay in neighbouring Montenegro, it has ever been of particular interest to the military world, which is why even today it is dominated by a monumental fortress. Lined along the sea in front of Dubrovnik are several enchanting islands, the most beautiful among them being Lokrum, right by the old City of Dubrovnik and which has been transformed into a subtropical park. In the waters around Dubrovnik there are some tiny isles that are practically lost in the crystal-clear, blue waters.

And finally, to the west of Dubrovnik is yet another amazing emerald of the south: the most beautiful of all Croatian arboretums, TRSTENO. Here, gathered in one place, is an amazing wealth of subtropical plants, all kinds of fl owers, cacti , and a variety of trees. From afar the arboretum appears as a dense subtropical forest although it is in fact a landscaped park also decorated with numerous works of art, the best known being the statue of Poseidon, standing in front of a pond fully stocked with tropical fish . Throughout the arboretum are rest places from which a view of the open sea can be enjoyed.