Municipality of Podgora: Makarska Riviera, Biokovo and cultural heritage

• The municipality lies at the foot of the Biokovo Mountains and extends partly along the Makarska Riviera.
• Biokovo Nature Park includes seven municipalities, including Podgora, and can be reached by car, minibus, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot.
• Beach features include pine-tree shade at Plišivac, the natural beach of Klokun between the Čaklje and Drašnice coves, and Garma, a pebble beach associated with naturism.
• Biokovo Nature Park has the Podgora/Srida sela – Vrutak – Staza – Podgogovik hiking trail, rated easy, with a stated ascent time of 2.30 hours.

The beach locations differ in their specific features. Pine trees provide shade at Plišivac Beach. Klokun is a natural beach between the Čaklje and Drašnice coves. Garma is a pebble beach associated with naturism. In Živogošće, small pebble beaches extend over a total length of 6 km.

The mountains also shape the character of the municipality. Biokovo Nature Park extends across seven municipalities, including Podgora. You can travel to the nature park by car, minibus, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot. Thanks to its microlocation, Podgora is considered an ideal starting point for day trips to nearby destinations.

The Podgora/Srida sela – Vrutak – Staza – Podgogovik hiking trail runs through Biokovo Nature Park. It is rated easy, and the stated ascent time is 2.30 hours. This difficulty rating and time refer to this trail. If you want to include hiking in your trip, the specific route name is a helpful guide when choosing.

Another activity is available at the Drašnica climbing area above the town of Podgora. It is intended for free climbing; the rock slabs require precision and endurance. The demands therefore clearly differ from those of the hiking route rated easy. Which activity suits you depends on whether you want to focus on hiking or free climbing.

Several places in Podgora recall different historical periods. The Galebova krila monument above Gornja Podgora was erected in 1962. It commemorates the Partisan Navy, founded in Podgora 20 years earlier. Troje gomile above Podgora is a prehistoric site with four burial mounds that also served as lookout posts. The Baroque Church of Sv. Tekle was built in 1626 on Cape Sv. Tekle.

Other religious buildings in Podgora include the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which combines Venetian Baroque with local influences, and the Church of Svih Svetih. Its altar houses relics of Saint Vincent, the patron saint of the municipality. The Ijak chapel-lighthouse stands on Cape Ijak and formerly served as a lighthouse. The Roščića Tower was part of a defensive system built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Places outside Podgora also have their own cultural landmarks: Igrane is home to the protected Zalina kula, dating from the 17th century, and Crkva sv. Mihovila, dating from the 11th to 12th century. In Drašnice, Crkva sv. Stjepana is a protected cultural property dating from the 17th to 18th century. In Živogošće, the Licinianus Epigram, dating from 474, is carved into a rock above the spring of Pokrivenice. The Franciscan monastery in Živogošće was founded in 1616 and was a centre of spiritual life and education; its holdings included an extensive library and valuable works of art.

For help finding your way around, see the pages for Drasnice Drasnice, Podgora Podgora, Zivogosce Zivogosce, Igrane Igrane and Gornje Igrane Gornje Igrane.

Where is the Municipality of Podgora?

The municipality lies at the foot of the Biokovo Mountains and extends partly along the Makarska Riviera.

How is the Podgora/Srida sela – Vrutak – Staza – Podgogovik hiking trail rated?

The trail is rated easy. The stated ascent time is 2.30 hours.

What beach features are mentioned for the municipality?

Plišivac offers shade from pine trees, Klokun is a natural beach between the Čaklje and Drašnice coves, and Garma is a pebble beach associated with naturism. In Živogošće, there are small pebble beaches with a total length of 6 km.

What other municipality pages are available?

Other municipality pages: Municipality of Podbablje Municipality of Podbablje, Municipality of Cista Provo Municipality of Cista Provo, Municipality of Dugopolje Municipality of Dugopolje.

See the regional travel overview: Split-Dalmatia.