Fortress Gradina Trpanj

Trpanj is a picturesque town on Pelješac peninsula, on Northeast side, facing towards coastal Southern Dalmatia. This place was well known in ancient history as a shelter from historical and social movements, and thus a numerous artifacts from prehistory. Trpanjs had a great role in a development of maritime affairs of this area having a big fleet of sailing boats, traveling around the world. Also, they were the first ones to claim their right to write official papers in Croatian, which was a great contribution to the Croatian National Revival in the first half of 19th century. If you are coming to Trpanj from the sea, you'll be welcomed with Gradina at first glance. Gradina is a fortress built by Justinijan, empire of Byzantine, in order to keep his sailing across the magically blue Adriatic safe. Gradina is built upon ruins of colony of Illyrians and is a ruin today itself. There is a belvedere there from where we can spot an apartment, a room or a vacation house we˛re settled in. On the top of belvedere, there is a statue of Saint Mary, called `Star of the sea´, placed there to protect all the brave ones who are scattered on the seas across the Earth. Feast of the Assumption is an opportunity for Trpanjs to sail with their boats and gather beneath the statue in a Holy Mass. The evening that follows is an opportunity to celebrate life which found a shelter in a peaceful harbor of Trpanj.