TRSTENO, CROATIA — 2 June 2026 — Following the General Assembly held in Herceg Novi, representatives of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities – Destination Napoleon travelled to Trsteno for a technical meeting focusing on local historical research and archaeological heritage linked to the Napoleonic era.
Eleonora Berti and Denise de Roux met with a delegation of local experts to discuss the historical links between the region and the Napoleonic era. The meeting was coordinated by Professor Josip Belamarić, a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities – Destination Napoleon.
Archaeological and historical discoveries at the heart of the discussions
The discussions focused mainly on the archaeological finds made during the restoration work on the retaining wall and the open space in front of Saint-Guy’s Church.
The event brought together a number of leading figures involved in the preservation and documentation of this heritage. Vinko Čenić, who was directly involved in the initial archaeological fieldwork, provided practical insights into the site’s history. Dr Vesna Čučić, a historian and former director of the Dubrovnik Libraries, presented her recent publication, The final crisis of the Republic of Dubrovnik. His work examines the conflict of 1806 on the territory of the Republic, pitting France against the Russian-Montenegrin coalition.
Local cooperation and cultural ties
The meeting was also attended by the Croatian painter Zvonimir Mihanović, who trained in Paris and brought a contemporary cultural perspective to the historical ties between France and Croatia.
This visit represents a key step in assessing the potential for integrating Trsteno’s heritage into the European ‘Destination Napoleon’ network. It also helps to strengthen cultural ties and cross-border historical research.