We have a habit of wandering off the obvious paths in Dubrovnik—ditching the crowds and diving headfirst into the city’s quieter corners, where history lingers without the tourist flash. This summer? We aimed for something a little more mysterious.
Perched on Utrk Hill and leaning towards the Mali Ston Bay,
the Rotonda (its unofficial title, because why not keep things mysterious?) is
basically an ancient enigma wrapped in stone. Located near the tiny village of
Ošlje, which today houses only a handful of people but was thriving back in the
10th century, this church is a real head-scratcher for historians. Why? Well,
for starters, no one knows exactly when it was built, what it was called, or
who was behind it. It’s like history’s version of an unsolved puzzle – just
missing a pair of cool sunglasses and a theme song.
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This quirky little church is one of only two such structures
in Croatia. Its octagonal layout, topped with eight apses, was clearly designed
by someone who enjoyed geometry a little too much. While the roof and dome have
long since disappeared (who needs those, anyway?), the walls still stand at an
impressive two to four meters high. The interior? A cosy six meters across,
perfect for those who like their ancient sites with a side of intimacy.
Plus, bonus feature: The place is acoustically magical. Sound stays locked inside, while outside noise bounces away like it’s been turned down by a fussy DJ.
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The Rotonda is so unique and unexplored that it is hidden from casual travellers. The locality is called Bijela lokva (“White puddle”) by the locals because of the nearby watering hole. The Rotunda can be reached by car, and then you can walk freely in the surrounding greenery bordered by dry stone walls and take fascinating photos of this old building, which looks spectacular from the air. Pro tip: Rotunda looks absolutely spectacular from the air—drone-worthy, for sure. |
So,
if you're in the mood for a walk among dry stone walls and want to snap some
aerial-worthy shots, the Rotonda is your hidden gem. Just don’t expect to leave
with more answers than questions!
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