Hiking Sniježnica mountain

The hiking trip will start from the village of Mihanići (325m), passing through the village of Kuna Konavoska (726m) before reaching Sv. Ilija top (1234m). The 3h climbing trip is not demanding but the rout follows a cobbled walkway Mulatijera so please bring firm hiking shoes. Be aware that there is no drinking water or food at the top.

Sniježnica mountain

The highest peak of Sniježnica mountain in Konavle is Sv. Ilija (1234m). At the top is the Chapel of Sveti Ilija (St.Elijah), built in the 19th Century, from which the tallest peak of Sniježnica gets its name. The mountain got its name – which translates as snowy – as it is often covered in snow. The path from Kuna Konavoska leading up to Sv. Ilija dates back to the Austro-Hungarian period. The path was made for strategic reasons, namely to transport cannons to the top. The climb takes about three hours. You can reach Kune Konavoski by road, taking a left off the Adriatic highway into Zvekovica village if travelling from Dubrovnik towards the airport. The view from Sniježnica is unbelievable – overlooking Konavle fields, the view stretches as far as the islands of Koločep, Lopud, Mljet, Šipan, Korčula, Lastovo and the Pelješac peninsula, mountains visible from the top are Čvrsnica, Prenj, Velež Zelengora in Hercegovina, Durmitor, Orjen, Subra and Lovćen in Montenegro.

Mandragora plant

The very rare mandragora plant which grows on Sniježnica is a protected plant. It was named after a Greek word that translates as "dangerous for the cattle". Mandragora is poisonous and was used for medicinal (anesthesia). Its hallucinogens substances were used by the Dubrovnik Republic for espionage purposes during questioning. In the Middle Ages, possession of the plant was made illegal. People caught with mandragora were accused of witchcraft. Both Shakeaspeare and Macchiavelli mention the plant in their works.

Ice

Given that there was no electricity or refrigerators at the time of Dubrovnik Republic, keeping liquids and foods chilled and fresh during the hot summer months was a problem for the citizens of Dubrovnik. Therefore, they organised a service supplying ice from Snježnica. The ice would be cut and placed on the ice on lop of trees and straw in order to keep it frozen for as long as possible, brought to Cavtat by horses at night and transported by boats to Dubrovnik to be sold. Used mostly used by the upper classes, during summer months they would use up to 170kg per day. A piece of ice was presented to foreign officials during their visit of Dubrovnik as a sign of exceptional respect.