Konavle is an area in the far south of Croatia where agrotourism is developing more and more. As a support network, Agrotourism Konavle Association, which already has 95 members, was established last year. Members are mostly wine makers and accommodation providers in the rural area, followed by country farms and pubs, oil makers, producers of traditional souvenirs from Konavle, traditional craftsmen such as locksmiths and sculptors, painters, honey makers, cheese and dry fig producers.

All of them work in Konavle, an area which is specific for its unique landscape. It is an area of special natural beauties and contrasts: hills and plains, mounts and rocks, blue and green. From the north, Konavle is edged with mountains, from the south by the Adriatic Sea, it stretches in the east to the mere entrance of the Bokokotarska Bay and the Prevlaka Peninsula, and in the west, it descends to the beautiful, tame bays of Cavtat and Obod.

The preserved nature, the unique and highly valuable rural architecture, the numerous monuments of a thousand year old history of this area, the ancient traditions preserved through folklore, the unique traditional costume and the Konavle embroidery, the harmony of man and nature are all things which make Konavle unique and recognizable.
Konavle villages have up until today kept the tradition of stone architecture from the time of Dubrovnik Republic. Set in the original landscape, they tell the story of every segment of life, culture of living, culture of land cultivation and respect for traditional crafts, as well as a feeling of belonging to the special ambience of Konavle. They are, today, representative examples of the rural tourism offer of Konavle, the south east part of today`s Dubrovnik Riviera.

The Dubrovnik Republic rounded off its territory in the 15th century through buying this area from the Bosnians. Konavle was of great importance due to agriculture, cattle breeding and maritime affairs as well as its strategic meaning. The people of Dubrovnik thus managed to keep their rule there skilfully and efficiently, during the whole time of their reign in the city, as well as on their other estates. Their ruler was a prince who kept court in his castle in Pridvorje.

The name Konavle is rooted from the Latin word canale, canalis, and in local dialect konali, kanali,(chanels) which was probably inspired by the waterworks which, in Roman times, supplied water from Vodovađa to Epidaurus, today`s Cavtat. The natural beauties, the rich cultural and historical heritage and other tourist offers, make Cavtat one of the most attractive destinations for a holiday on the Adriatic coast.

The Tourist Board of the Dubrovnik- Neretva County
www.visitdubrovnik.hr

The Tourist Board of the Borough of Konavle
www.tzcavtat-konavle.hr