Pelješac Festivals: Food, Wine, and Fun
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
Pelješac, in southern Dalmatia, is preparing for a summer of festivals. This year, three fantastic festivals are taking place, starting with the Pelješac Captains Festival on May 18th. A record-breaking 50 restaurateurs, winemakers, and shellfish farmers are ensuring that from May to September, Pelješac will be a paradise for lovers of entertainment and hedonism.
The first festival is a beautiful tribute to the maritime traditions of Pelješac and will last until June 2nd. From June 15th to 30th, everything will be about the Pelješac Flavors Festival, and finally, from August 31st to September 15th, Pelješac and its guests can enjoy the traditional Salt Festival.
The newly renovated Mimbelli Square in Orebić is beautiful and ready to welcome visitors to the opening of the first summer festival. The festival kicks off on May 18th with a guided tour of Orebić, “Living History,” musical performances, a magnificent captain’s parade, and sweets provided by members of the Cancer League.
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
On the same day, the Maritime Museum will open the “With the Taste of the Sea and Salt” boat building exhibition, which will be free to view until June 15th.
During the 15 days of the Pelješac Captains Festival, Pelješac residents and guests can enjoy evening singing performances by klapa groups, the premiere of the comedy “Octopus” by the Amateur Theater Association Kušin, and a three-day big-game fishing event from May 17th to 20th that ends with a spectacular concert by Opća opasnost in Orebić.
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
The festival ends with a sailor’s evening back where it all started, in Mimbelli Square, with live music, roasted fish, and, of course, excellent Pelješac wine.
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
“This year we have gathered a record-breaking 50 restaurateurs, winemakers, and shellfish farmers who will participate in all three festivals. As in previous years, the best of traditional Pelješac dishes will be offered at popular prices, and Pelješac winemakers will provide a discount on at least one wine label,” said Mladen Đeldum, director of the Orebić Tourism Association, which, together with the tourism associations of Ston, Janjina, and Trpanj municipalities, organizes the Pelješac festivals.
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
Orebić was once the maritime center of the Mediterranean, along with Piraeus and Hamburg, the only city that ships saluted with sirens. Locals would wave flags from the shore, ringing bells at the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Angels and firing a cannon from today’s Maritime Museum building in Orebić. The Pelješac Riviera provided 2,000 sailors, 250 captains, and 90 sailboats who will present the best of the tradition through all three upcoming events.
(Photo:Damir Kovačić/Orebić Tourist Board)
“The Pelješac Captains Festival is a tribute to maritime tradition and an excellent prelude to summer, while the Pelješac Flavors Festival is an opportunity to get to know the soul of southern Dalmatia through its flavors. If you enjoy the sea and sun outside of the peak season, the Salt Festival is a must-see,” concluded Đeldum.
