Walls of Ston

Welcome to Ston, a site of profound strategic importance and architectural ambition. As we stand here at the gateway to the Pelješac Peninsula, you are looking at the longest preserved stone fortification system in Europe, often…

To understand the walls, one must first understand the salt. Below us lie the Ston Saltworks, the oldest of their kind in Europe and arguably the world, with a tradition of salt harvesting stretching back four thousand years. …

We now approach the formidable Veliki Kaštio, or the Great Castle, which stands as a sentinel at the southwestern corner of the town's fortifications. Constructed in 1357, this fortress predates much of the city's broader…

As we move toward the northern edge of the town, we encounter the Field Gate, or Vrat od Polja, which was added to the defenses in 1506. This gate served as a primary entrance for those coming from the fertile interior of the…

Now, we begin the most physically demanding part of our exploration: the ascent up the hillside. As we climb the steep stone stairs, you can feel the physical reality of medieval defense. …

Reaching the highest point of our tour, we find the Pozvizd Fortress. This is the crown of the defensive system, situated on a peak that offers an unobstructed view of the entire Pelješac Peninsula and the surrounding islands. …

Descending from the heights, we arrive at the sister town of Mali Ston, or 'Small Ston.' While smaller in scale, it is no less significant. Mali Ston was designed as a port town, serving as the northern terminus of the wall…

As we conclude our tour of the Walls of Ston, we are left to contemplate the extraordinary legacy of the Republic of Ragusa. This structure is more than just a wall; it is a manifestation of a state's will to survive and thrive…