Adriatic Cruise Chronicles – Ston Salt Works, Croatia

Our second day in DOO-brovnik was crystal clear. However, instead of heading back to the old quarter to take better images of scenes I already saw, we split up. Beck to the old city center to climb its walls and I went on an optional tour inland. I call it the ‘wine and salt and wine and oysters and wine and mussels and wine tour’.

The Wall, Ston, Croatia (4 November 2025)

Ston is a small town with a big reputation as it has produced salt since ancient times…since the mineral was a most prized possession. Beginning in the 1300’s, they began building a wall to protect their ‘white gold’ enterprise. Our guide called it the second longest man-made wall in the world, the ‘European Great Wall of China.’ At four miles, it has a way to go to challenge the other one (13,000+ miles)…but did deter and repel invaders for centuries.

Ston Salt Works, Croatia (4 November 2025)

We were there at the wrong time.

The fifty-eight cells of the operation were all flooded.

Ston Salt Works, Croatia (4 November 2025)

For over three thousand years, sea water has been directed into shallow pond cells where it evaporates during the summer months and is harvested by hand. These small railcars are filled and directed to the warehouse in the background, where it is packaged and widely sold.

 

Suspended Shellfish Production,

Bay of Mali Ston, Croatia (4 November 2025)

The next stop was a short boat ride on the Bay of Mali Ston where we were served more local beverages. The fresh and saltwater hydrology and protective landscape make the bay an ideal area for mariculture – the cultivation of marine/saltwater organisms. Oyster farming here dates back to Roman times, and the bay currently contributes 60% of the nation’s oyster production.

Our destination on the bay was a stationary floating combination shellfish production and picnic platform. The proprietor worked through an opening where ropes suspended colonies of oysters and mussels. Can’t get any fresher than that.

Harvesting Shellfish, Bay of Mali Ston, Croatia (4 November 2025)

Although the oysters were small and each visitor’s allotment 

was limited, they were tasty and the wine was plentiful.

Grappa Sampling, Croatia (4 November 2025)

At the last stop, at an actual winery, we sampled many flavors of local grappa before enjoying their wine. Across the street, the local cemetery was resplendent with All Saints Day décor…or is it where the last tour group resides?

Croatian Cemetery After All Saints Day, (4 November 2025)

The bus ride back to our boat was easy as I’m sure most of us were glad someone else was driving. Tomorrow, a new country on our cruise along the Dalmatian Coast toward Greece.