Podhumlje

Welcome to Podhumlje, a village whose name literally translates to 'under the hill'—the hill in question being Mount Hum, the highest peak on the island of Vis. While the coastal towns of Vis and Komiza often capture the…

We start our walk at the entrance of the village, where the traditional stone houses first come into view. These structures are masterclasses in indigenous architecture. …

As we move to the outskirts of the village, we are greeted by the rolling vineyards that are the lifeblood of Podhumlje. Vis is famous for its unique grape varieties, most notably Vugava—a white grape that produces a golden,…

Interspersed with the vineyards are groves of ancient carob trees and silver-leaved olive orchards. Carob, or 'rogac' in the local tongue, is a staple of the Vis diet, used to make the famous carob bread and various liqueurs. …

We now return toward the center of the village to discuss the culinary heart of Podhumlje: the traditional 'rural households and taverns.' One cannot visit this area without experiencing 'Peka.' This is a slow-cooking method…

Just above Podhumlje lies the trail leading to the summit of Mount Hum. While we won't hike the entire way now, the beginning of this path offers a clear view of the village’s relationship with the mountain. …

Returning to the village core, we find the old schoolhouse and the small central square. These buildings, though modest, are the anchors of the village’s social history. …

As our tour of Podhumlje comes to a close, we return to the heart of the village. We have seen the stone houses 'huddled together,' walked the edges of the 'Vugava and Plavac Mali' vineyards, and felt the presence of Mount Hum…