The project “History of the Grain of Salt” in Ston, in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency DUNEA, has been funded based on a public call for the ‘preparation and implementation of integrated programs for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage’. The project was provided a grant for 85 percent of the total the value of the project, or 48 million kuna.
Dalmacija News reports on 15 December 2016 that the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds – Gabrijela Žalac, the Mayor of Ston – Vedran Antunica, and the director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting – Tomislav Petric, have signed an agreement on Thursday in Ston for the project “History of the Grain of Salt”. The project worth is 61.6 million kuna of which will be mostly financed from EU funds.
The Mayor of Ston, Vedran Antunica, pointed out that the walls of Ston are the longest in Europe – nearly 5.5 kilometers in length with 40 towers and five fortresses. The walls connect Mali Ston and Ston.
“Ston certainly has something to show and present. Thank you to all who recognize our programs and projects,” said Antunica.
Minister Žalac said that this is a laudable project that will contribute to the tourism potential of Ston.
“The Ston Walls, as the longest in Europe and second longest in the world, should be further talked about as a potentially valuable tourist attraction, which will be commendable in the municipality of Ston, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and Croatia after the renovation. We are very much looking forward to completing the reconstruction of the many fortresses in this project,” said Žalac, adding that these projects will also bring in new jobs.
The Minister of Culture, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, pointed out the crucial cooperation of local governments with key partners such as the Association of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities. “They went into the renovation project in Ston believing in the potential and the economic and tourist development. On this track, we see a continuation of this cooperation that we can expand and will be able to seriously finance through this project,” said Obuljen Koržinek.
For the project, the municipality of Ston, in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency DUNEA, reported on a public call for the preparation and implementation of integrated programs based on the rehabilitation of cultural heritage in early 2016. This project was provided a grant of 85 percent of the total the value of the project, or 48 million kuna.
The project, along with the Municipality of Ston, involves five partners including the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiques which will help to finance the reconstruction, the furnishing and equipping of fortresses Veliki Kaštio and Koruna, reconstruction and renovation of the south wall, and the landscaping of the park Komarda. In charge of the implementation of the renovation and expansion of the Ston sculpture display will be the Parish of St. Blaise, Ston.
The Tourist Board of Ston is responsible for promoting the project through tourism fairs and promotional materials, while DUNEA, as one of the project partners, will be responsible for activity updates and thematic paths such as ”Pelješac – Wine Empire” together with the Municipality of Ston for the operational implementation of the project.
The project includes a private entrepreneur ”Natura Dalmatia ” which will upgrade its operations to complement the project activities, all with the aim of a better and richer tourist offer in the municipality of Ston.
