- Sailing Croatia tips
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by Ultra Sailing Team
Orebić is the largest place on the Pelješac peninsula which offers a beautiful view of the islands of Korčula and the archipelago in front of it. Although sailors usually rush to Korčula, many of them take advantage of the safe mooring in Orebić, which is connected by frequent ferry lines with Korčula( it will take you 10-15 minutes). Orebić, the most famous town on Pelješac, has a pier with breakwater about 200m long. On the outside of the breakwater are stones and on the inside depth is 2,5 – 3,00m, so this berth is more suitable for smaller sailboats or those with the shallower keel. Excursion boats and regular lines dock at the entrance to the breakwater. Berths have electricity and water. Marina is managed by the sailing club “Peljeska jedra”. In this blog, we offer 10 great reasons why to moor your boat in Orebić.
1. Visit the Maritime Museum
Orebić and Pelješac have always been associated with seafaring. Old sailboats and their captains brought many riches to Orebić from their long and far voyages. In honor of them, in its permanent exhibition, this museum keeps the rich maritime history of Orebić and the Pelješac peninsula in general. A modest part of archeology, from ancient and early Christian time, found on the small island Majsan are exposed. What is interesting are the exhibits from the everyday life of sailors: ship tools, weapons, nautical and school books, pictures of old Orebić sailing ships, travel documents, lists, letters, photographs…..This museum is a time machine that truly leads to the most glorious time of Pelješac maritime society 1855-1891 when Orebić owned 33 ocean-going sailing ships. Visit this museum which is located right next to the picturesque sea promenade.
2. Viewpoint from the monastery
This monastery is located 152m above sea level. It is best to visit it in the early hours during the summer heat. From there, there is one of the most beautiful views of Orebić and the beautiful Mediterranean archipelago of Korčula. We visited it at dawn when the experience is even more beautiful. A walk from the breakwater to the church is approximately 2,8km in one direction. The monastery was built in the late 15th century in harmony with nature and the pine forest, just as in the past the synergy of man and nature was observed.
There are two interesting things related to this building:
The first interesting fact is that the Franciscans still by ringing the church bell “three times” greet the ships that sail the canal, just as they did in the past when they were esteemed owners and captains of overseas sailing ships. Another interesting fact is the mausoleum of the famous Mimbelli family, made by the famous Croatian sculptor Rendić ( he also built a bell tower in Ložišće).
The story of the Mimbels
Geni.com
It is about the destiny of the last descendants of the famous Mimbel (a family which died out almost a hundred years ago. The famous and very rich captain of Orebić, Antun Mimbeli, and his wife did not allow their only son to marry the daughter of their governess, a Russian woman, with whom the young man was unusually in love. By the way, that connection between Orebić sailors and Russia is very evident. Bald’s parents were supposedly annoyed that their son had fallen in love with a girl of humble origins and other’s faith, so the ban remained final. Therefore he never married and with his death in 1911 that family lineage died out. Baldo continued to live in Trieste, but he never forgot his Orebić. He helped constantly to Orebić with money, and he was especially committed to helping the poor people.
Even today he can be considered the greatest benefactor of Orebić. This did not bother him to live a dinstinctly bohemian’s life, for example, to gamble sail boat in just one night. It was not difficult for him because he owned a whole series of them. The family mausoleum, the most touching part of that story, has its own artistic proof. Baldo Mimbeli, on the cemetery next to the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, had built a family mausoleum, the work of sculptor Ivan Rendić. This elegant monument in the cemetery above Orebić is decorated with a gilded Russian dome, and its gilt was once renewed in order to warn all sea passers-by with its flash from above the hill, day and night. On the façade of the mausoleum, stands out a sculpture of a young woman with a jug facing down, from which liquid flows. It is a symbolic representation of Bald’s unrequited wife, and the aforementioned water leaks marks the end of the Mimbeli family.
3. South Dalmatian regatta
This is a popular summer regatta that has been held on traditionally on the first weekend of August since 1981. The start is from Orebić on the 3 days route Orebić – Pomena – Prožura – Dubrovnik. Every year it gathers about 40 domestic and foreign crews of regatta and family cruisers. The regatta is divided into 3 stages. The start of the regatta is in Orebic, while the goal of the first stage is 16NM distant from Pomena in the island Mljet with a mandatory buoy tour in front of Korčula.
The second stage of the regatta leads the fleet from Pomena to Pelješac, ie island of Lirica with the goal in Prožura on the island of Mljet. The final stage of the regatta starts in front of Prožura and ends near Dubrovnik near the island of Daksa. The history of the South Dalmatian regatta began to be written in 1981, organized by Sailing club “Pelješka jedra” from Orebić and Sailing club Orsan from Dubrovnik. Certainly, this is a beautiful social event under the sails. Ultra sailing traditionally participates every year with different boats.
4. Nakovana – Museum in nature
The historic site of Nakovana is the most valuable exhibit of those ancient times – a kind of a living museum in the heart of nature. Numerous tools, tombs, utensils, and religious handicrafts were found near the hill “Grad”, a hill that due to its natural features served as a fortress for the Illyrian tribes. From the top of this natural fortress (350 m above sea level) a large part of the southern Adriatic is visible so, in addition to invaluable historical value, the city offers its visitors a magnificent view of the timeless sea spaces…
The oldest Peljesac traces of civilization were found in the cave on the hill Košnjak, known as “Spila”. This cave, 65 meters deep, divided into several halls, served the inhabitants as a natural shelter, while its interior hides an Illyrian fertility sanctuary with a phallus-shaped stalagmite. Following the marked paths, or with the help of an expert guide, you can also visit the area of Nakovana and thus, with a lot of respect, leave your spiritual mark in this museum of nature.
5. Hiking to St Ilija
St Ilija (961 m) is the highest peak and the most famous hiking destination on Peljesac, located at the western end of the peninsula. The view from the top is simply amazing, towards Hvar and Biokovo on the north side and towards Korčula, Mljet and Lastovo on the south side. It is recommended to start this ascent properly dressed and clothed, both because of the snakes and because of the rocks. A guide is required.
One legend says that the peak was named Perun’s Hill, after the old Slavic god Perun, the lord of thunder. The Church of Saints Ilija and Pantelia was built here in the 16th or 17th century and was destroyed by many lightning strikes in the 19th century and has never been rebuilt. The name Perun was replaced by the name of Saint Ilija. Later in history, the Italian name, Monte Vipera (mountain of snakes), was in use. Some think the name came from a venomous snake, Vipera ammodytes, which lives in the area, while others think it is due to the configuration of steep rocky slopes above Orebic that resemble a snake, with its zig-zag lines. The locals simply call him Ilija.
6. The taste of red wine – Plavac mali
Pelješac and its slopes are well known for the cultivation of indigenous vines (Plavac mali) and top wines such as Postup, Dingač. This tradition of viticulture dates back to the 13th century, so order local wine and you will taste the sun on the south side of Peljesac…
7. Local food from Peljesac
Order locally in Orebic. If you are a fish lover, the best offer is in the spring and early summer. Grilled fish is a delicacy but check the price beforehand because fish is becoming rarer, so the bill may surprise you.
Oysters (shells) purchased from nearby Ston are always on the menu of Orebic restaurants. For meat lovers, we recommend “pasticada”, and as a dessert “rozata”.
8. Viganj – windsurfing center
For those who love action, the surf center in nearby Viganj will be “a dream come true”. There you can find windsurfing schools, popularly called kate surfing, with a long tradition. Due to its position and openness to the canal, it always blows in this part of Pelješac, which is why competitions are often held here. The place is a small and favorite summer resort for young people and those who feel that way.
9. Hop on a ferry to Korčula
From Orebic to Korcula is only 15 minutes by a daily ferry line. Korcula offers nightlife, and you can fill your day visit by wandering through the beautiful architecture of this old town.
Moreska dance
What to see in Korcula? Be sure to visit the birthplace of the sailor Marco Polo, the Church of St. Marko (XIV. I XV.st), and next to it there are 16 churches with a rich inventory of the greatest artists from Tintoretto, Bellini to famous Croatian artists Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin, Ivan Meštrović and Fran Kršinić, and the City Museum as well. Moreška is a traditional dance with swords with colorful costume designs. It is organized for tourists once a week and is worth a look.
10. Bathing, bathing, bathing
In Orebic you can swim on many beaches, the sea is clean and crystal clear. You can rent a boat and spend a day on the islands in front of Orebic or go for a swim with an organized boat tour to Badija and see deer…. The choice is yours and each of them is sunny and promising.
