Ljuta River

Until the 10th century, the Ljuta river did not exist in Konavle. According to legend, another river used to spring in Herzegovina, in which an unfortunate girl drowned. Her mother, crushed by grief, closed the source with wool so that such a tragedy would never happen again. A few days later, a deafening roar was heard from the bowels of the mountain in Konavle, after which, to general astonishment, a river broke through. People named it Ljuta (Angry). In this gentle landscape, during periods of higher water levels, it still looks “angry” at times. It is considered part of the Trebišnica sinking river system.

Numerous watermills dating back to ancient times have been restored on the river. Namely, the Dubrovnik Republic purchased this area at the beginning of the 15th century. At that time, it found four mills in the upper course. To satisfy its ever-growing needs, the Republic built an entire system of mills, aqueducts, and channels, which it then leased out. The mills were of great importance for the entire Konavle region and beyond. People even brought their goods here from the Herzegovinian hinterland.

Today, Ljuta is an ideal shelter from the summer heat. Here you can enjoy sightseeing the old mills, walking through the forest along a well-maintained promenade by the river, and savoring the gastronomy of some of the best restaurants in the region. Nearby is the restored Sokol Grad, one of the most significant fortresses in southern Croatia, and Pasjača beach is not far either. Thus, a visit to this part of the Dubrovnik hinterland can be a beautiful, well-rounded, full-day excursion.