Apartments Orebić Peninsula Pelješac Croatia
Ston Defensive Wall
The most outstanding attraction in Ston Croatia is undoubtedly the impressive wall. With an impressive length of around 7000 meters, it is the longest defensive wall outside China, the longest in Europe and one of the most important structures in Croatia. The construction of this mighty defensive wall began as early as 1333, when Pelješac joined the Republic of Dubrovnik. Although the fortress was not fully completed until 400 years later, in addition to the foundation walls, it also included 3 forts, 7 bastions and 41 towers, some of which are still well preserved.
Nowadays it is possible to visit the restored defensive wall and even walk a considerable section of it. A spectacular path runs along this wall, which makes it possible to hike from Ston to Mali Ston or vice versa. There is an incredibly beautiful view of the historic old towns, the azure blue sea and the salt lakes.
The Ston defensive wall in figures
Did you know that only the Great Wall of China is bigger – So it’s worth a visit!
Overview of the defensive walls of Ston
In addition to the foundation walls, the fortifications of Ston consist of three main fortresses (Veliki Kaštio, Koruna and Podzvizd), 41 towers, seven bastions (Sokolić, Arcimon in Ston, three bastions of Veliki Kaštela, the bastion of Podzvizda and Arcimon of Maloston), four outer walls (east and southwest in Ston, one in front of Mali Ston and one in front of Korun) and a moat filled with water, which encloses the west, south and east sides of Ston. The construction of this magnificent complex took place at the beginning of the 16th century.
The fortification in Ston Croatia undoubtedly represents one of the most impressive construction projects of its time, with a length of 7,000 meters. It is made up of the walls of Ston and Mali Ston, including the Great Wall with the three fortresses mentioned earlier. The ensemble also includes walls and fortresses flanked by 10 round, 31 square towers and 6 semi-circular bastions. Over nearly four centuries, Ston’s complex defense system has been shaped by terrain adaptations and advances in weapon development. The defensive function of this complex lasted until the beginning of the 19th century, and it remains an imposing structure, a monument and an inexhaustible historical source.
Ston Croatia Map and Route Planner
Exploration of the Croatian defensive walls in Ston
Large parts of the imposing fortress wall in Ston Croatia are still accessible to visitors today. If you want to experience the impressive structure in its entire length, it takes about two hours to walk the 5.5-kilometre-long wall – a feasible route for averagely fit people. Unfortunately, Veliki Ston was hit by an earthquake in the 1990s that damaged more than half of the wall. Fortunately, Mali Ston remained untouched. Both the walls and the city have been restored and are open to visitors again.
Video Ston Croatia Defensive Walls Sightseeing
About Ston Croatia
Ston, a picturesque medieval town in the south of Croatia on the Pelješac Peninsula, is home to the longest stone wall in Europe. With an impressive length of 7 kilometers, Ston is home to the second largest surviving defensive wall in the world, surpassed only by the famous Great Wall of China.
The history of Ston dates back to the 14th century, when the monumental “Stoner Walls” were built by the Dubrovnik City Republic to protect the salt extraction facilities and ensure fully controllable access to the Pelješac peninsula.
Ston consists of the independent districts of Ston (approx. 500 inhabitants) and Mali Ston (approx. 200 inhabitants), which are connected by the approximately 5 km long wall that leads over the mountain and a fortification.
The unique atmosphere of Ston and its surroundings will enchant all those who are looking for peace, clear sea and traces of ancient cultures. The narrow, quiet streets, the imposing old houses of the town and the oldest active salt marshes in the world, coupled with the longest city wall in Europe, invite visitors warmly.
With its numerous restaurants, Ston is considered one of the most important culinary destinations on the east coast of the Adriatic. The oysters and mussels from Ston Bay are considered the best in the country. Although known as the “Salt City”, the most significant activity in this city is winemaking.
History of the defensive walls of Ston in Croatia
Faced with the constant threat from the peripheral areas, the inhabitants of Dubrovnik immediately began building a defensive system in 1333. The chronicles tell of the Great Wall (1,200 meters long) on Pozvizd, which was built in 18 months and at a cost of 12,000 ducats to protect itself from neighbors. These protective measures were reinforced by the construction of the Koruna Fortress in Mali Ston, the Pozvizd Fortress on the hill above Ston and Veliki Kaštila do Solil. Medieval Ston, when viewed in the larger context of its two urban nuclei (not only physically connected by the Great Wall of China, but also complementary in their functions), is the result of a thoughtful development that respects the orthogonal grid of regular apartment blocks and streets. The plan was adopted by the Dubrovnik government in 1335 and modified in 1370, placing Ston in the category of ideal cities in Europe.
Restoration of the defensive walls
The restoration of the walls of Ston represents not only a renewal of the city of Ston, but also a restoration of its outer shell and unique medieval physiognomy through the arrangement of the fortification ring. The need to preserve and develop the newly acquired territory of the Pelješac peninsula, as well as the construction of the salt pans and the city, forced Dubrovnik to implement its construction project in the shortest possible time. The implementation of this carefully planned political undertaking and the skill with which Ston, Mali Ston and the entire fortification complex were built – from Ston Prevlaka and the Great Sea to the Small or Neretva Sea – testify to a comprehensive knowledge of settlement planning, with many experienced builders involved in the walls and other buildings of the city of Dubrovnik.
The town of Ston is carefully laid out according to a network of roads, with the wider main street running north-south and the narrower one running east-west, on which the central Placa is located. Since the beginning of the construction of walls and urban development in 1333, Dubrovnik’s government decisions almost always mention walls and towers first, then residential buildings, including the residence of the Duke of Ston. This is followed by the Cathedral of St. Vlaha, the Franciscan monastery, squares and fountains. Over the years, the walls and fortifications are constantly reinforced, raised and expanded. Roads are paved, ditches are dug around the walls, and measures are taken to drain and regulate the seashore, streams and rainfall.
Despite some challenges, including parts of the swampy and humid terrain in the southeastern part along the Achterwasser that touches the sea coast, as well as earthquakes that shook Dubrovnik in the late 17th century and later, Ston survived until the fall of the Republic of Dubrovnik. After that, however, a period of urban and economic stagnation set in.
The subsequent deterioration, especially in the 19th century, resulted not only from external factors, but also from changes in social consciousness that are difficult to understand today. One of these decisions led to the demolition of a section of the walls and the construction of a triumphal arch in 1874 to welcome Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. In 1905, the southern part was demolished by the people of Ston themselves to make way for new public and private buildings. In the same year, the new owner of the fortress Veliki Kaštio destroyed a tower by erecting a two-storey building in the form of barracks in its place, which significantly affected the appearance of the fortress.
Over time, awareness of the historical value of the fortification system grew. In the years after the Second World War, further destruction could be stopped, but decisive measures and considerable resources were required for restoration and preservation. The restoration of the Great Castle, the largest fortress of the Ston fortification complex, was initiated in 1961 by the Society of Friends and Lukša Beritić. The restoration and maintenance of the walls of Ston is undoubtedly the most important project of the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquity.
The delicacy of Ston - oysters
Oyster tasting is an absolute must when visiting Ston. Since the 17th century, mussels and oysters of the highest quality have been farmed in the bay of Mali Ston. These are known nationwide and are considered an extremely tasty delicacy. Also along the coast on the way to Mali Ston, local fishermen offer their oysters for tasting at affordable prices.
Tip and recommendation: Daily boat tours to the oyster farms are offered from Mali Ston, followed by a tasting to fully enjoy this culinary experience.