Brac Island Mysteries
Brac Island's Mysteries
When: Year Round
Duration: whole day
From: Split, Šibenik area, Hvar
Very few of Croatian Islands are so steeped in history like Brac.
Monumental, when seen from the sea. Majestic when discovered! Tours of Brac rarely provide a full insight into the rich and very unique historic heritage of this island. From the Neolithic times to the Roman, from medieval glory to the desperate era of the big migration – Brac has kept it's treasures within the hills and caves, under the sea and deep in the woods.
Our tour can start either from Split (the coastal mainland in general) or from the sea if you are sailing around the Dalmatian islands. We like to begin with the village of Skrip. The timeless charm of Skrip is hard to resist – this is one of the very few continuously inhabited localities in all Europe! It is also a village where museum of Brac is located – the supposed crypt of mother of Constantine the Great is kept here! Although some believe that its greatest treasure is an ancient Greek statue of Hercules The museum is really a living history of life on Brac, a rich ethnographic collection that even includes an ancient kitchen (another great kitchen is located in the Blaca monastery deep in the hills of Brac!)
Blaca was a monastery found in 1551 by Glagoltic monks from Poljica Republic. This small Republic, behind Omiš, was wedged between the Venetian and Ottoman Empires. The monks, fearing Turkish raids, fled to Brač in the 15th Century and later received permission to build their monastery in its current, well-hidden location. Setting to work in the harsh landscape (blaca means desert), they created a vibrant community - the richest on the island. Completely self-sufficient, they even exported honey, olive oil, wine and cheese to Venice and Vienna. They owned 3 trading boats, large estates in other villages and employed more than 100 workers. The last Glagolic monk, Don Nikola Milicevič, was a true Renaissance man. He was a serious astronomer and we will see what was once the largest telescope in south-east Europe. Carefully reporting his findings to the outside world, his work led to the naming of 2 asteroids as well as a comet. It's hard to imagine that such science took place literallty in the middle of nowhere. Even today, the sense of isolation is palpable --after a long drive down a dirt track, you still have a 2km hike into the canyon. There nestled into the rocks, Don Nikola's monastery and observatory.
Our program continues to the highest point of Brac – Vidova Gora. Nature lovers take note! Vidova Gora (Mount St. Vitus - 778 meters) is not to be missed. The summit commands a magnificent panoramic view of the famous Zlatni Rat beach, adjacent islands, Mount Biokovo on the mainland and on a very clear day Monte Gargano on the Italian coast! The tour ends with authentic Brac feast--lamb on a spit - in the eco-village of Dol. Dol is just one more treasure awaiting your discovery, a tiny villages hidden in the heart of this very special island! Note: alternative restaurant/tavern is in picturesque Donji Humac!
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Price
For 2 - 3 - from 150 Euros per person
For 4 - 8 - from 100 Euros per person
The tour is limited to 8 participants
The cost includes: transfer from Split, expert English speaking guide, comfortable sedan or van for transfers, ferry tickets, entrance tickets to listed attractions, lunch with wine/water/juices at island's best tavern, all taxes and VAT.
Contact for cost if coming to Brac by boat!
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Options
For history lovers, tour would include
Skrip and Blaca but also a mysterious Dragon's Cave. In the 15th
century the Drakonjina Spilja (Dragons Cave) located in the vicinity of
Murvica was inhabited by hermit monks. The stone reliefs carved on the
cave walls vividly depict ancient myths, legends and fairytales peopled
by monsters, witches, werewolves, ogres and the one-eyed giant
Orkomarin.
(Long hiking day if all three included)
Brac offers great sights like the famous Zlatni rat beach, stone quaries and stone mason's school in Pučišća...
Highlights
Blaca desert monastery, museum of Brač in Škrip, Zlatni rat beach, Vidova gora peak, authentic meal at eco-village of Donji Humac,traditional lamb of Brač, local wines, Zmajeva špilja tour, unspoiled landscape of Brač, hinikg path to Blaca monastery, valuable etnographical collection in the Brac museum in Škrip
