Discover Blato

Blato can be explored through three distinct themes: its seasonal landscape, a local festival tradition, and winegrowing. The Blatina wetland changes its appearance throughout the year; the feast honoring Saints Peter and Paul takes place on June 29. The wider destination of Mljet offers additional natural and cultural experiences.

Blato: Blatina, Feast Day and Wine

Blato lies beside a broad field where the seasonal Blatina wetland can be seen. In winter it looks like a small lake; in summer, like a muddy pool. Blatina is considered the largest of the island’s three Blatinas and serves as a water source for irrigation. Both descriptions refer to the same wetland: whether you visit in winter or summer makes a difference to how it appears.

In the town stands a stone church dating from the 14th century, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The local feast honoring the saints is celebrated every year on June 29. If you are interested in local festival traditions, this date provides a clear point of reference for Blato.

Winegrowing also connects the fields around Blato with a local product: grapes ripened there are used to make local Mljet wine. Agriculture and wine thus complement the picture of the seasonal landscape and local traditions, without being tied to a single festival date.

Mljet as a wider destination

The wider destination of Mljet is home to Veliko jezero and Malo jezero. These two deep bays are called lakes and are connected to the open sea by the Solinski Canal. On the island of St. Mary, in the southern part of the Great Lake, stand a Benedictine monastery and the Church of St. Mary. The monastery was built between 1177 and 1198; the central part of the church has retained its Romanesque style.

Other historical points of interest on Mljet are spread across different locations. In Polače are the remains of a Roman palace and an early Christian church dating from the 5th to 6th century. In Babino Polje stand the 15th-century Church of St. Blaise and the 16th-century Prince’s Palace, known locally as Palac. In Prožura, Kaštio, a square defensive tower from the 17th century, is a landmark. Each of these places and buildings offers its own historical and architectural point of reference for Mljet’s cultural heritage.

The Mljetska planinarska obilaznica hiking trail runs through the wider destination of Mljet, from the area of the national park to the center of the island. Trail markers and stamps at checkpoints mark the route. Check trail conditions before setting out. This allows you to include the activity as a separate part of your trip planning, distinct from Blato’s local attractions.

Discover more destinations: Govedjari, Kozarica, Saplunara, Korita, Babino Polje, Mljet, Maranovići, Sobra

Return to the main travel overview: Mljet.