This property is...
Korcula - 15 min by ferry
Any times given are by car unless otherwise stated
Property and local area description
Room for two. Great location. Close to the beach (5 min walk) & centre
Area overview
Peljesac peninsula (358km 2) is situated in the southern part of Dalmatia in the county of Dubrovnik. It is known for its untouched and preserved nature as well as its richness in history, tradition and culture.
Orebic (population from 2001, 4165 Orebic council, 1949 Orebic), the biggest place on the Peljesac peninsula, situated on the south-western part of the peninsula, under the hill/mountain of St. Ilija (Elias, 961m) on the opposite side of the 7 centuries old town of Korcula.
Orebic was bought by the Republic of Dubrovnik from the Kingdom of Bosnia in 1333. Until the second half of the 17th century its inhabitants lived in the mountains where the agriculture was their main mean of survival. During that time they started migrating to the coast and undertook sailing, which has remained local activity to present day. The sailing enabled them to free themselves from serfdom of the Dubrovnik Republic. During that time, the sea captains built the beautiful renaissancean stone houses which exist to this very day. From the 14th to the 19th century, Orebic was the main residence for dukes and aristocrats of the Dubrovnik Republic. Back in the 19th century it was one of the largest sailing and shipping places in Mediterranean, but as soon as sailing ships were replaced by steam ships, it lost is primate in the field.
On the hill above Orebic, there is the Franciscan Monastery (built in 1470) with impressive and breathtaking views over Orebic, 16 small islands, the islands of Korcula, Lastovo, Vis and Mljet and its archipelago along Peljesac channel. This is also recognised as one of the most spectacular panoramic views after Rio de Janeiro and Alicante.
Today, Orebic is popular tourist destination for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has a spectacular, untouched nature. It is surrounded by 16 small and 4 big islands and the inland is covered with hundred years old pines and cypress trees. In addition to that, the vegetation is rich in olive, almond and exotic fruit trees as well as plants brought to Peljesac by sailors from their world travels. And then, there is the pride of the region, the vineyards. Actually, the most famous Croatian red wines (Dingac and Postup, just to name a few) come from this region. The water is crystal clear, and the coast line is famous for its long pebbled, sandy and rocky beaches as well as numerous small bays.
For those who prefer an active holiday, there are recreational facilities such as tennis courts, football pitch and diving spots. It is also popular for walking and biking on St. Ilija Mountain.
Almost constant presence of winds in certain spots of Peljesac channel (5 miles from Orebic) enables kite and wind surfing activities. As a result, World and European wind surfing championships as well as regattas are held in this area. Such events attract people from all over the world.
There are also taverns, cafes and restaurants serving great Mediterranean food.
Apart from being itself rich in history, Orebic is demographically greatly positioned. It is on the cross roads between the following must be seen places:
The old town of Korcula (15min by ferry/boat from Orebic) – known as Korkyra Melaina by the ancient Greeks (4th century BC). The old town is surrounded by the city walls and towers. From the outside the old town looks like a fortress. It is also known as a ‘Dubrovnik in small’. The most beautiful examples of Korculan architecture date from the 15th and 16th century. From 1001 until 1797 Korcula was in and out of Venetian rule.
The old town of Ston (1 hour drive from Orebic) – famous for its 7km long city wall and about 40 towers and 5 fortresses surrounding the city. The building of the wall started in 1334. This is the longest wall in Europe. Since that time Stone preserved its tradition of salt production and shell (mussels and oysters) growth activities.
Dubrovnik (110km, 1.5hrs drive from Orebic) – an old city in southern Dalmatia. In the middle age it existed as a state called Dubrovnik Republic. It was the only city-state on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea which competed with Venice. In 1979 it was added to the UNESCO’s list of the world's heritage.
Mljet (1.5hrs by boat/ferry from Orebic) – is a national park. It is famous for its completely preserved woods made of Aleppo pine, holm oak and macchia. For that reason it is also called a ‘green island’. There are two lakes on the island, a small and a big lake which are interconnected as well as connected with the sea. The interplay between the lakes, caused by the high and low tides of the sea water, is spectacular.
The Cave Nakovane – the archaeological site, discovered 5 years ago. The cave was the Illyrian shrine from the Hellenistic time (4th to 1st century BC). The entrance into the shrine was closed with stones and as such was preserved since it was abandoned, two thousand years ago.