Squeezed between the coast and the foothills of St. Ilija˘s Mountain (altitude 961meters) is Orebic,the cradle of sea captains and seafarers, the pearl of the Peljesac Riviera.
Orebic is situated at the south-west point of the 70 kilometre long Peljesac Peninsula,
which is conected to the mainland by the narrow passage at Ston.Orebic is in fact a large pebble beach. Owing to its exeptionally convenient geographical location, it is protected from the strong northeastern bura wind. Though the town is exposed to the sun, the light refreshing mistral wind will make your stay very pleasant during the summer.
The region was inhabited by Illyrian tribes since prehistory. The Peljesac peninsula was purchased by Dubrovnik Republic in the 14th century, which generated the prosperity of sea trade.
The homes of the sea captains even today represent, each for itself, a small museum.
An attraction of Orebic is the Franciscan Monastery and the Church Our Lady of Angels.
The view of the Peljesac Channel and the islands of Korcula, Mljet and Lastovo from the
150 meter high monastery loggia is unforgettable.History and tradition say that the Orebic sea captains and seafarers wouldregulary saluted
Our Lady of Angels with their ship sirens upon their departure or return to Orebic,
as a sign of gratitude and thanks for her protection. The Franciscans would then respond from their bell tower.
Your stay in Orebic and in this part of Peljeąac Riviera will certainly not be monotonous. Mountaineers will be delighted with the cleary marked trails leading to the top of Saint Ilija˘s Mountain. Bicycle sport enthusiasts will enjoy the exceptional conditions of bicycle riding through beautiful natural surroundings.

The majority of artefacts from various sites are kept in the Museum in Orebic, which also shows in detail its maritime past and includes artefacts from more recent times. The Franciscan monastery at Podgorje above Orebic is the best expression of this unique development.
The church of Our Lady's Ascension was built with support from the Dubrovnik Republic in Gothic style and according to the rules of St Francis. The church monastery, cloister, bell tower with loggia, and a covered belvedere make a complete religious complex with elements of country - house architecture.Because of this monastery's strategic location, at the border between the Dubrovnik Republic ane Venice, its defensive design element was not neglected. Two marble reliefs of Our Lady with the Child Jesus exemplify a higher artistic culture - the works of Renaissance masters from the votive Toscana school of art. The icon Our Lady by an unknown painter from the 16th century is important and used for ceremonialpurposes, and the main altar has paintings by Venetian artists.
Equally valuable is a large wooden crucifix with expressive Gothic characteristics by Juraj Petrovic of Split. This work was considered miraculous and was adored at Otok near Korcula. This religious complex mostly attracted seamen, and there is a maritime collection of gifts and memorials from people of the region. The main church is located in the middle of a cemetery dating from the Middle Ages.
The altars with paintings of various origins and styles are of high artistic value, additional proof that western Peljesac was not only open to Dalmatian and Venetian artistic influence but also to the whole European continent. The natural shape of the valley has been used by the Ilyrians who built a central hill - fort on Mount Celinjak, to the east and in front of the saddle leading to Vrucica and Trpanj. Medieval people also built hamlets under this hill.Today some ten picturesque houses form an attractive string with a beautiful view of the sea. However, the more important coastal area saw the construction of several isolated buildings for the use of landowners in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Of special importance to the development of various small villages were socalled "geta", dwelling complexes with central towers in planned geometrical patterns with few streets and the ability to be anclosed for protection.
Orebic was enriched through the maritime economy of the 19th century and became a real town, erecting office buildings in front of the original town nucleus and previous community buildings.
A small square, adjoining the gardens of bordering houses, was built here as a centre for public activities, completing this nucleus with the addition of a cathedral in 1885.

Comfortable and entertaining holidays can be found on Peljesac because every summer the local people present interesting and varied cultural, folklore, and sports programmes. There are concerts of classical music with top musicians, ensembles both local and foreign, open-air theatre, and performances of well-known Croatian entertainers and pop singers. Matica hrvatska(a national educational and cultural institution), together with the Center for Culture of the Community of Orebic and the Tourist Board, annually organizes a series of cultural and entertainment events called "Days of Culture". Starting the beginning of June until the end of September, visitors can see various painting exhibitions in the galleries of the Church of the Sacred Annunciation, on the ground floor of the Maritime Museum, and in cloister of the Franciscan Monastery at Podgorje, where concerts of classical music are also held.Theatre and folklore performances are held on the terrace of the Rathaneum Hotel and on the Rondela terrace of the Bellevue Hotel. Young people can enjoy evening hours in dicotheques on Trstenica Beach or in the Bellevue Hotel. There are various sporting events, the most significant being the open championship of Croatian windsurfing, taking places the end of July in front of Liberian Beach in Viganj.The south Adriatic sailing race starts in Orebic and an ever more popular boat race is held the first Saturday in August in Dingač in front of the hamlet Borak. Every summer Loviste organizes "Loviste Summer", with a donkey race as one of its highlights, after which all visitors are treated with wine and roasted fish. We should also mention "Summer Evenings" in Viganj and "Feste" in Crkvice, Mokalo and Trstenik. On the other side of Peljesac, the Trpanj Tourist Board organizes a cultural and entertainment event called "Trpanj Summer" with music, folklore, theatre performances, exhibitions and entertaining evenings.Every 15 days they sponsor "Fisherman Night" for all visitors and local people.The biggest event is connected with religious holiday of Our Lady of the Assumption on August 15th. Those looking for more active holidays can engage in water sports such as swimming, surfing, water skiing, rowing, sailing, and scuba diving. The ideal location for surfing is in the Peljesac Channel in front of Punta Liberian, and the tourist complex at Perna. Scuba diving offers various sea flora and fauna and underwater archaeological finds. Back on land one can thoroughly enjoy walking alongnature trails, cycling, and mountaineering, especially to the highest peak of Peljesac, Mt Sveti Ilija (961m). Those wishing other sports activities can use the tennis courts in Orebic, large and small soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts including sand volleyball areas. There are also bocce courts or lawn bowling in every tourist location. If all this is not enough, you are invited to stroll the many walking paths found around the seaports, beaches and coves in every town, enjoying first hand this fantastic landscape with its endless beauty and unique features.

It is simply not possible to visit Peljesac,Croatia's second largest peninsula, and not see the Peljesac vineyards and allow you palate the pleasure of tasting top quality wines. The hard to cultivate land and the painstaking work of the diligent people from Peljesac resultet in renowned wines that have made the Peljesac name known around the globe. Quality soil and beneficial Dalmatian sun allow the grapes to produce abundant grape bunches, traditionally used to make Croatia's most renowned wines that originate from the Peljesac peninsula:"Dingač", "Postup", "Plavac" and "Peljesac". For over 2000 years, man's sweat and toil have nurtured the grapes of this region, and in response, they offered him life. Due to this, it is often said that wine flows through the veins of these people. The grapes that "give birth" to the wine stopped being just an agricultural product a long time ago. Since man can remember, wine has been treated here as a "gift from the heavens, mother nature's tear and the source of life".
We know today that an Illyrian fertility shrine where wine was blessed was found not far from here. That is proof that even as far back as the Illyrian times, grapes were grown here. Nevertheless, it is known that the Illyrians that lived on the coast made early contacs with the Greeks, who already had developed grape growing and wine production and in that way were introduced to the grapes and the fermentation process, before the coming of the coloniers. The Romans had prior knowledge of grapes and were very successful in growing them, since they dedicated special significance to agricultural production, holding it as the basis of their power. However, in this region, they came across already developed grape growing and wine production, so they only, continued to plant grapes and enjoy drops of good wine.The remains of two villa rusticas in the Dingač locality, as well as two others found in the Postup region, speak of the fact that they had something to enjoy here. The whole region was cultivated as far back as the prehistoric and ancient times, so it was suitable for the Slavs that settled it in the time of the great movement of the peoples, continuing its grape growing and wine production tradition. During the middle ages, wine from the Dingač region was celebrated in songs of Ivan Gundulic, who was also owner of land on Peljesac. In the markets, it reached prices 3-4 times higher than other wines from this region. Even the emperor Franjo Josip, a real connoisseur of a good drop, entered the wine from the Dingač region in gold letters into his wine list. And should the current USA President also not thank us for the pleasure that he experiences when served "Plavac Mali" Grgic from this region. Gravel slopes that fall towards the sea at an incline of 40-60% represent shallow ground poor in
in humus, but with an ideal minimal amount of nutrients: NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND PHOSPHOROUS. From the total surface area of 68 ha, some 40 ha are vineyards. Around 20 wagons of grapes are picked from this region, resulting in some 200000 bottles of the Dingač wine, making it a very limited production. High quality characteristics of the Dingač wine are mostly the results of the "Plavac Mali" grape variety, position, the vinification process, as well as care and aging.

Peljesac is a fascinating destination for half - day or whole - day excursions from Dubrovnik, Korcula and other tourist centers. It has picturesque little towns and villages, a rich cultural and historical heritage, beautifully cultivated vineyards ( especially those precariously placed on the slopes of Dingac). It also has many fine wineries and wine cellars.

The best known wine tours to date are the Grgic winery in Trstenik, the Milos family winery and wine cellar in Ponikve, and the Bartulovic tavern and wine cellar in Prizdrina.

These excursions allow one to enjoy beautiful landscapes, the specialities of local cuisine, and the best Peljesac wines.

Many tourists who holiday on the Dubrovnik Riviera include Ston as a half - day excursion and are amazed by the 5 km long fortification walls, the locally cultivated mussels and other shell fish served in the restaurants, and can take home a small bag of salt from the centuries - old Ston salt pans as a souvenir.

Recently organized in Kuna is a visit to the donkey farm of the Antunovic family. Here visitors not only have an opportunity ride the donkeys but also can taste goat cheese and drink Dingac and other wines. Refreshment awaits them in the Bartulovic tavern in Prizdrina. Tourists can also enjoy the popular fish picnics in Loviste.

The best known excursions from Orebic are those to the island of Mljet and its National Park, Dubrovnik, Korcula and a tour of the Peljesac Riviera/archipelago with stops for swimming on the islands Badija aVrnik and in Lumbarda.

Local tourist offices on Peljesac occasionally organize Excursions to Dubrovnik, Mostar, Medugorje and the Neretva Delta.

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