Konavle is a region that spans an area of 209 square kilometers, and thanks to its geographic position, it offers highly favorable conditions for settlement. To the north, it is bordered by a mountain range; in the center lies a fertile valley with three rivers and a large number of freshwater springs; and to the south, it is protected by steep cliffs, which are only gentle at their very beginning and end, as there are no landing sites or shelters in between.
The Konavle Cliffs are among the highest cliffs of the Adriatic, stretching approximately 20 kilometers in length. They are most prominent and steepest in the area between the villages of Popovići and Pločice, with some sections exceeding 200 meters in elevation. These cliffs are composed of soluble rock, a prerequisite for the formation of caves, and caves can indeed be found along the entire coastline. Due to the rugged and inaccessible terrain, combined with frequent shifts in wind, only a few plant and animal species inhabit the cliffs. Among these rare inhabitants are four endemic plant species: Dubrovnik knapweed, naked knapweed, Adriatic iris, and flexible thread-moss.
The steep, inaccessible cliffs, rare plant and animal species, numerous caves, deep blue waters, and a rich marine environment are the reasons why the Konavle Cliffs have been included in the protected Natura 2000 ecological network. For the same reasons, the cliffs have become a popular site for various forms of tourism, though they have only been used for swimming and leisure tourism since the second half of the 20th century. Until then, the people of Konavle would only venture onto the cliffs for household or agricultural purposes. During times of scarcity, salt was collected from rock pools, and sheep were often brought to the more accessible parts of the cliffs for washing. The locals would also collect seawater and bring it home for processing figs or olives. During periods of drought, when water was scarce, seawater was used for washing clothes. Fishing was primarily practiced by residents of Molunat and Cavtat.
Today, nearly every village in Donja Banda, the coastal part of Konavle, has its own rocky bathing spot. Initially, access to these locations was via narrow footpaths, which over time have widened into gravel or paved roads suitable for personal vehicles. However, some bathing spots can still only be reached by steep descent along adapted footpaths. Popular spots for swimming along the cliffs include Zarubača, Puvalice, Vapina, Bjeline, Luka, Bugovina, and Pendža, though the most famous is Pasjača Beach, located below the village of Popovići. It is also the only beach along the Konavle Cliffs area that was formed through human intervention. In the 1960s, a tunnel was constructed to release excess water from the Konavle Field during periods of flooding. One end of the tunnel is located at the lowest point of Konavle Field, in the hamlet of Rudine, while the other end exits just a hundred meters from Pasjača. Over time, the water carried out soil and rock, which gradually broke down, forming the beach. The access path to Pasjača Beach, as well as the beach itself, are breathtaking and unique sights, which contributed to the beach being named Europe’s most beautiful beach by the website European Best Destinations in 2020. However, the sea has its own will, and with each passing year, the beach is shrinking, while its increased popularity due to its acclaimed status has also led to overcrowding, gradually driving away many locals from this once secluded retreat.
Although the swimming spots along the Konavle Cliffs have been adapted to modern times and needs, most of them haven’t lost their charm, even today offering a place of peace and solitude. For those wanting to explore the cliffs more thoroughly, we recommend a boat excursion from Cavtat to Molunat or vice versa; there are also several maintained hiking trails. From Cavtat, one can walk to the village of Radovčići, discovering forgotten rocky bathing spots along the way, perfect for enjoying the endless blue horizon and the pristine waters of the Adriatic Sea.
By: Jelena Beželj