Orebić is a
port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...
town and
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
in the
Dubrovnik-Neretva county in
Croatia
Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
. It is located on the
Pelješac peninsula on the
Dalmatia
Dalmatia (; ; ) is a historical region located in modern-day Croatia and Montenegro, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. Through time it formed part of several historical states, most notably the Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Croatia (925 ...
n coast. Orebić is directly across a strait from the town of
Korčula, located on the island of the same name. Ferries service the two towns frequently. Orebić is from
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, historically known as Ragusa, is a city in southern Dalmatia, Croatia, by the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean, a Port, seaport and the centre of the Dubrovni ...
.
It was named after the family who restored the castle inside the fortified settlement in 1586. In 1707, Emperor Joseph granted hereditary nobility to the Orebić family for their 70+ years of service in naval warfare and trade. The original Writ of Nobility is housed in the town's Maritime museum, with Croatian and Latin translations at the Franciscan Monastery. The document describes the sea captains' colorful exploits in defending the Austro-Hungarian empire, Italy, and Spain against France and the Ottoman Empire. The family's role in the Dalmatian salt trade brought wealth and distinction to Dalmatia. During the 19th century, Orebić had 17 of the most important nautical
captains in
Austria-Hungary Empire.
Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the Commerce, commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. World Tourism Organization, UN Tourism defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as ...
is one of the town's main sources of income, especially during the summer months. In the 1960s a large number of non-locals (mostly from larger cities in the then
former Yugoslavia) built homes for their summer holidays. In subsequent years, tourists from other European countries have begun visiting, staying either in hotels or in the camp sites located around the town that also cater to camper vans. The town's main beach is at Trstenica. Many locals also rent out rooms or apartments during the high season.
The
Franciscan
The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent Religious institute, religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor bei ...
monastery of
Our Lady of Angels is a local attraction, along with the Mount of Saint Elijah (
Croatian ''brdo Sv. Ilija'') located behind the town which offers a view of the island of Korčula and the
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the Strait of Otranto (where it connects to the Ionian Se ...
. There are many sign-posted hiking paths from Orebić and nearby villages that lead to the summit .
Historic sea captains' homes line the waterfront, illustrating the town's heritage. Due to the wealth and importance of the sea captains in Dalmatia, the houses were built on a grand scale and set behind large gardens. Most of the homes in the historic district are still owned by descendants of the sea captains families, even those who returned after many years in diaspora. During the 20th century, these families donated ethnographic artifacts, for display at the Maritime museum and museum at the Franciscan monastery house.
Climate
Between 1981 and 2011, the highest temperature recorded at the local weather station was , on 25 July 1988. The coldest temperature was , on 9 March 1987.
Transport
Orebić is accessible by road and ferry. It is some 90 minutes drive from Dubrovnik and some 3–4 hours drive from Split, both of which are accessed via the Adriatic Highway (European route E65) which is accessed via nearby Ston. The drive from Ston to Orebić passes some of Croatia's largest vineyards including those at
Potomje and
Postup.
There are ferry connections to Korčula each day from Orebić. The car ferry deposits passengers some 3–4 kilometers from Korčula Town and, therefore, is not suitable for foot passengers. There is also a passenger ferry that deposits passengers directly in Korčula Town. Car ferry tickets must be purchased in advance of boarding the ferry at the
Jadrolinija booth near to Splitska Banka. Tickets for the passenger ferry can be purchased when boarding the craft.
From Korčula, there are other ferry services including the main Rijeka-Split-Stari Grad (Hvar)-Korčula-Mljet-Dubrovnik-Bari ferry service operated by Jadrolinija. In addition, there are fast ferry services from Korčula to Dubrovnik and to Hvar Old Town-Split. There are also services to nearby islands such as Badija.
Bus services operate from Orebić to Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census there were 4,122 residents in the municipality of Orebić, with 94% being
Croats
The Croats (; , ) are a South Slavs, South Slavic ethnic group native to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighboring countries in Central Europe, Central and Southeastern Europe who share a common Croatian Cultural heritage, ancest ...
.
There are a large number of home-owners in the town who do not reside there permanently.
In 2021, the municipality had 3,705 residents in the following 14 settlements:
*
Donja Banda, population 154
*
Kućište, population 173
*
Kuna Pelješka, population 211
*
Lovište, population 187
*
Nakovanj, population 1
*Orebić, population 1794
*
Oskorušno, population 77
*
Pijavičino, population 94
*
Podgorje, population 150
*
Podobuče, population 37
*
Potomje, population 209
*
Stanković, population 267
*
Trstenik, population 115
*
Viganj, population 236
The municipality is divided in the following districts:
Sports
NK Orebić
Notable people
*
Celestin Medović- painter, from village
Kuna Pelješka
*
Piyale Pasha- Ottoman Grand Admiral and Vizier
*
Zvonimir Roso- criminologist and psychologist, from village Kuna Pelješka
*
Ivan Tomašević
*
Jozo Tomasevich-economist and historian, from village
Košarni Do
*
John Mark Totich-new Zealand gum-digger, boarding-house keeper, community leader and consul, from village
Kuna Pelješka
Gallery
Image:Panorama_Orebića1140358.JPG
Image:Orebic, Peljesac, Dalmatia, Croatia.JPG
Image:Orebic hill2.JPG
Image:Panorama_Orebića210938.JPG
Image:Marine in Orebic.JPG
Image:Orebi hill1.JPG
Image:Orebic1zq5.jpg
Image:Sveti Ilija.JPG
References
External links
* the official website http://www.tz-orebic.hr
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orebic
Municipalities of Croatia
Populated places in Dubrovnik-Neretva County
Populated coastal places in Croatia