How Cavtat got its name...

The legend about the development of the name Cavtat is interesting, because it says that two suitors had asked the beautiful Cavtislava's hand in marriage, the daughter of the Epidaurian ruler, so that the father decided to give her to that suitor, who would perform the bigger task.

One of the admirers, the commander Stjepan, should bring aquaviva from the source Vodovađa in Konavle, and the other one, a brave knight and seafarer, should bring a ship full of silk from the wide world.

On the day of the festivities of the opening of Epidaurian viaduct, the beautiful Cavtislava should first satisfy her thirst with water from a golden jar, but before, a big lizard jumped out of the water directly onto the girl's lap.

Cavtislava's heart failed for fear and she immediately dropped dead.

According to tales in the common tongue, the unfortunate seafarer, whose ship was sunk by a huge storm directly in front of Epidaurus, and who therefore was not able to fulfil his task, put the lizard into the viaduct since he could not bear the loss of the girl.

In memory of the beautiful Cavtislava, at this place arose Cavtat, after an earthquake had destroyed the town.