REGION OF SOUTHERN DALMATIA

The wonderful landscape of southern Dalmatia, with its coasts encircled by a multitude of islands, offers to the numerous visitors many reasons to visit this region. Inside the country is characterised by the delta of the Neretva River. It is an often swampy land complimented by limestone areas. Another characteristic of the zone is extensive fields with various types of cultivation.

Those who want to know a little bit of the history of this region must visit the ancient Croatian church of Saint Mihovil in Stonsko polje. This construction has maintained its original structure and it fits harmoniously into the landscape. The church is decorated with frescoes of the pre-Roman age which are the only ones in Dalmatia. If Dalmatia is approached from the north, the town of Trsteno will be encounter, which is the oldest in this area. In XVI century they transplanted here many exotic and rare plants. The most important part of this region is surely the city of Dubrovnik (Rfroagusa) whose ancient centre is encircled by fortified walls.

This City is inscribed by UNESCO on its World Heritage List.

The coast is also very fascinating with its small shoreline villages. We must first speak about the city of Cavtat, the best known locality for vacations in the southern Adriatic. The islands in this region are also worth visiting.

The regional beauty of these islands is clear; they are true pearls. In particular the island of Mljet which is a national park, gave many cause to believe that this is the lost Homers Island, on which Odysseus and the Nymphe Kalypso met.

Moreover, the ruins of a late ancient palace in Polace, a small port in the north-western part of the island, are worth seeing. Sitting on the top of a hill, it dominates the lake "Veliko jezero" (Great lake), in which can be found the small island of Saint Maria, with its Benedictine convent.