After nearly ten years of systematic archival and field research, the monograph The Story of Žuljani by Jadran Jeić Baguzej will be presented at the end of July. It is one of the most comprehensive works devoted to the history and cultural and spiritual heritage of Žuljana and the Pelješac Peninsula.

It is a scholarly monograph that, alongside an overview of the history of the village, presents a wealth of previously unknown facts based on original archival documents.

Among the book’s most significant contributions are:

• the first complete Croatian translation of the 1556 Statute of the Confraternity of St Julian and St Martin, one of the most valuable written sources on the history of Žuljani;
• new findings confirming the existence of the Church of St Martin in Žuljani at least one hundred years before it was designated the parish church in 1556;
• the first scholarly substantiation of the existence of the Church of St Julian the Martyr as early as the 15th century, after whom Žuljani was named;
• new research into the sacred heritage, family lineages, customs, language and everyday life of the inhabitants of Žuljani;
• translations of all surviving wills from Žuljani dating from the 15th century onward.

The monograph comprises fifteen thematic chapters covering the history, geographical development, sacred heritage, genealogy, traditional customs, musical instruments, folk costumes, folk medicine and other fundamental aspects of Žuljani’s identity.

The book’s scholarly value has been confirmed by the reviewers, Dr Vinicije B. Lupis and Dr Domagoj Vidović.

The publication is supported by the Diocese of Dubrovnik, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Dubrovnik, the Municipality of Ston, the Municipality of Janjina, the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, and numerous donors.

The official presentation of the monograph will take place on Saturday, 25 July 2026, at 8:00 p.m. at Konoba Mediteran in Žuljani. The programme will be hosted by Dubrovnik actor Frano Mašković, and representatives of cultural and academic institutions, the Diocese of Dubrovnik, parish priests from neighbouring parishes, representatives of local and regional authorities, and numerous guests are expected to attend.

The monograph is published by the Val kulture Association in cooperation with the author, Jadran Jeić Baguzej.

Media contact

Ivor Zidarić President of the Val kulture Association Email: valkulture@hi.t-com.hr Mobile: +385 98 202 486