ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF DAORSON

This site (Daorson Arheološko Nalazište) shelters few things except the imposing cyclopean walls of the ancient city of Daorson. It is the most important Illyrian remains of the country. Located at 260 m above sea level above the steep valley of the Radimlja, the site offers beautiful views and allows to discover the church of Saints Peter and Paul. Between 300 and 50 BC, Daorson was the capital of the Hellenized Illyrian tribe of Daorses, whose territory extended from Neum to the vicinity of Mostar. Equipped with a powerful fleet and allied with the Romans, the city was ravaged by the Dalmatians. The Daorses then found refuge on the island of Vis, on the Croatian coast. The site was then abandoned and plundered many times. However, archaeologists have discovered amphorae, some sculptures, coins and a precious bronze helmet bearing the symbols of Greek deities. On the spot, three sections of walls are well preserved. They are made of enormous blocks of stone, 4,5 m wide and 7 m high. Comparable to those of Mycenae, in Greece, they constituted the fortified enclosure of the acropolis which was surrounded by commercial and residential districts. To get there from the diocesan center, take the M6 road towards the Radimlja necropolis and, 250 m further on, turn right to follow the narrow road that climbs steeply. After 2.5 km, at Ošanići, the road turns into a rocky track.