This Saturday, the Municipality of Pučišća joined the international action “World Cleanup Day”
This Saturday, the Municipality of Pučišća joined the international action “World Cleanup Day”, which has been held in Croatia since 2012. Although postponed for a week due to a bad weather forecast, the action was a great success and managed to gather over 70 volunteers!
Precisely because of the great response, especially from children, students of the Elementary School Pučišća, the action spread to the whole village.
So in addition to cleaning the natural beaches on the stretch from the Lighthouse Sv. Nikola towards the border with the Municipality of Postira, as it was originally conceived, volunteers also cleaned the beaches, promenades, parks, streets of Pučišća, as well.
All collected waste was disposed of in a waste container and will be properly disposed of by the waste collecting company.
The municipality of Pučišća provided all volunteers with gloves, garbage bags, water and lunch after the action, and great help in the action was provided by Pučišća firefighters. This is a great overture for the celebration of the upcoming day of the Municipality of Pučišća and the feast of St. Jere to be celebrated on Thursday, September 30th.
To tell a story of the 13 towers of Pučišća, we must go way back in history, to the first settlements in Pučišća bay.
To tell a story of the 13 towers of Pučišća, we must go way back in history, to the first settlements in Pučišća bay. Some like to say that the name of Pučišća came from “Spužišće” translating roughly to a place where people “crawled” down to (from Stražišće and Pražnica up on the hill to the bay that Pučišća are today), but it actually came from the Latin word “puteus“, for a “well”. People were gathering and building homes in Soline, Stipanska luka (where the cemetery is today), Rogoj, etc. Pučišća became to resemble a village in the 14th century, but due to many attacks of the pirates from Omiš, many inhabitants would often escape back to the hills. All was starting to look better once the pirate attacks subsided, but not for long.
After 1462., the Turks came. However, this time, people of Pučišća didn’t want to back down, so they started building towers as defense mechanisms.
There were 13 of them around the village, and because of them, Pučišća was known as the Port of towers. Instead of building large, beautiful homes in the bay, people of Pučišća were building strong forts with towers and rifle ports. This made it possible for the village to sustain against the attacks. And thank God it did! Today, all 13 of them are forever engraved in the official coat of arms of the Pučišća municipality.
Coat of arms of Pučišća municipality
There are only few of them left. Barba Striš has his fireplace in one, lady Silva a kitchen in the other, so ask them about the details. We’d recommend you take a look at the renewed tower at the entrance to the port, because Barba Matjašić spent a lot of time and energy into renovating it, so it really is worth a look if you manage to catch him. You can even rent out one tower for your vacation!
The biggest and for many the most beautiful monument in Pučišća is the parish church of St. Jerolim’s
One of the first things you’ll notice when hitting that corner and entering the center of Pučišća, is the impressive belfry of the parish church of St Jerolim, standing tall and proud above the village, reminding you of the long and rich history of this place.
It was built in 1566 and renovated as well as and enlarged two centuries later (in 1750), which is why it has many baroque features. The wooden relief, of St. Jerolim kneeling and hitting his breast with a rock, which dominates the main altar, as well as the woodcarving of St. Ante’s (Anthony’s) altar, are a great example of the mastery of Dalmatian woodcarving at the end of the 16th century. One of the most valuable paintings in the parish church, if not the best of all, is that of the St. Roko, painted in the workshop of Palma Junior. You may also find The Black Lady icon to be a very interesting piece of sacred art – she was created in the Skopos monastery on the island of Zakynthos.
While you’re enjoying the interior of this magnificent church, don’t forget to turn around and look up, to enjoy the size and sound of the church organ and its pipes, built by Gaetano Moscatelli, in 1793.
The parish house in Pučišća is also a place of safeguarding the important artifacts of history of this place and Croatia as well – here you can find The Chart of Povlja (Povaljska listina), as well as many valuable documents dating from 1566 and a manuscript belonging to the local historian Andrija Cicarelli. There are also the mass garments dating from 1629, as well as church decoration from various historical periods.
To see three historical layers mix, visit St Stjepan (Stephen’s) Church, located in the local cemetery. The oldest part of this church was built back in 6th century. Five hundred years later, the Old Croatian church was built just above the Early Christian basilica, and between 1603 and 1791, first the Benedictine and them the Augustine monasteries were built next to the church.
Across the sea, on the other side of the bay, a small Renaissance church, called Our Lady of Batak (Gospa na Batku), was built in 1467. During the feast of the Assumption, when procession reaches this church, you’ll see the altar boys climbing to ring the bells. This was the first parish church in Pučišća, back in 1566. There’s also one interesting legend connected with this church, but more on that some other time 😉
St Juraj’s church is the first church you’ll pass by when arriving to Pučišća. That is, if you arrive by road. It is located on the hill called Bračuta on the western side of Pučišća, back in the 13th century. You can see it from the road, and the sight of it means you’re close to your destination. It is notable for the relief of Saint Jura with the saints, as well as killing a dragon, which was carved in the school of Andrija Aleši. If you decide to take a hike to the church, you’ll also see the remains of houses of hermits, who were custodians of the church.
There’s also one church on Dubrova, that of St Duje, built in 18th century by the notable family Vranjican, and remains of baroque style of architecture and painting may be seen inside.
Tucked between the house, hard to find if you’re looking for it, but an amazing surprise when you stumble upon it by accident, it the St Lucija’s Church, shown below, built by Ivan Nikola Žuvetić built, on Ratac in 1563.
St. Roko’s Chapel was built in 1603 by the Mladineo family. Juraj Mladineo, the Venice’s galley governor, renovated and extended the chapel in 1686. Above the altar are the wooden statues of Saint Roko and other saints.
Next to the roundabout, there’s a small chapel, the youngest church in Pučišća, called colloquially Gospe Lurdske, built in 1906. Inside, there’s a cave with a statue of Holy Mary.
Lastly, there’s one more church in Pučišća, St Nichola’s church next to the lighthouse, built in 1854. After the lighthouse was built, it was used as a storage, but it was renovated in 2006. and the altar shaped like the half of the traditional boat of Brač – bracera, was put in.
Each year, the nativity scene in Pučišća’s parish church is being hand made by local craftsmen and stonemasons.
Each year, the nativity scene in Pučišća’s parish church is being hand made by local craftsmen and stonemasons, representing hours and hours of dedication, hard work and love carved into the final product.
“If Jesus had been born on Brač, it wouldn’t have taken them long to seek refuge“, says Marko Eterović Hoje, this year’s leader of the building process. And this couldn’t be more true! The art of dry stone walling, knowledge and techniques are already inscribed into UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Brač is a perfect example of why that is – with so many drywalls (suhozid), shepherd’s habitats (bunje) and stacks (gomile) around the island, testifying of centuries of hard work, knowledge transfer and patience for this scarce land.
Answering the invitation of nun Danijela Mihić, Marko gathered friends and fellow craftsmen and got down to work, on this year’s edition of nativity scene which represents a bit of all that Pučišća are, honoring the art of stone and this tradition which is beginning to fade, once again. In his idea of nativity scene, Jesus would be born in a traditional stone shelter, used by shepherds throughout the long history of island Brač. These structures were always made in perfect harmony with the environment and the technique exemplifies a harmonious relationship between human beings and nature*.
Enjoy these images and feel a bit of the Christmas magic in Pučišća! Photos were taken by Milan Kalilić Trife, who also helped built it.
So, it has been said many times that the White House in Washington has been built using stones from Pučišća’s quarry. Some documentaries were also made depicting this legend. But, is it really true?
So, it has been said many times that the White House in Washington has been built using stones from Pučišća’s quarry. Some documentaries were also made depicting this legend. But, is it really true? The story goes like this: one Hungarian trader in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire allegedly purchased three ships of Brač’ stone and then sold it to the United States of America, to be used for the building of the White House. However, there is no real evidence proving that such a stone is part of the White House. But, since we are very optimistic and lean more towards the story that says the second house in the complex was actually built with Brač stone, we will say – yes. There is some truth to this legend!
There are many reasons you should visit Pučišća, a small village on the island of Brač (Croatia) as soon as you can, but we’ll stick to just 7.
There are many reasons you should visit Pučišća, a small village on the island of Brač (Croatia) as soon as you can, but we’ll stick to just 7, as listed on the blog d.rifter.
#1 IT’S ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SMALL PLACES IN EUROPE
This isn’t just us being biased, this is a fact. Many travel blogs, news portals and such, listed Pučišća among the top 10, 20, or 12, prettiest small places in Europe (proof #1, proof #2, proof #3). And for a good reason! It’s position in a bay on an island sure helps this, but also the centuries-long tradition of stone masonry which is visible on every corner of the village – from stone houses, white roofs (once traditional and usual for almost every house in the village, so much so that one poet once wrote it seems its always snowing in Pučišća) or bright blue, turquoise color of the sea (because of the stone dust from a quarry nearby), and so on. We could go on for ages, but instead, let us share some pictures to prove the point.
#2 IT’S STILL RELATIVELY UNKNOWN
For decades, people of Pučišća focused on quarry and stone cutting. This is why they didn’t pay much attention to tourist promotion, and which is why it is the place on Brač (one of the most popular of Croatian islands) with the least visitors. With the stone cutting industry slowing down, Pučišća are becoming more and more oriented on tourism, making this the perfect time for visit – before it gets discovered as the jewel it is, becoming overcrowded with visitors!
#3 IT’S THE HOME TO ONE OF THE LAST STONEMASON HIGH SCHOOLS
It is often said in Pučišća that people here live with the stone, off the stone, and for the stone. With a centuries-old tradition of masonry, they are proud to have a stonemason high school – a sculpting academy, which is unique in this part of Europe and one of the last ones in Europe, altogether. Students not only from Croatia, attend this internationally renowned school, to craft their skills and learn how to create beautiful art of stone. Wouldn’t you like to attend such a great looking school?!
#4 THIS MIGHT BE THE CLOSEST YOU GET TO THE – WHITE HOUSE IN AMERICA!
Weird, right? It has been said many times that the White House in Washington was built using stones from Pučišća’s quarry. Some documentaries were also made depicting this legend. Not only the White House but also the parliament in Budapest, Diocletian palace in Split and so many more stunning buildings around the world. But, is it really true? The story goes something like this: one Hungarian trader in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire allegedly purchased three ships of Brač’ stone and then sold it to the United States of America, to be used for the building of the White House. No concrete proofs are there for this story, but we choose to believe it.
#5 DALMATIA’S BEST DONUTS ARE MADE HERE
Croatian donuts (krafne) look a bit different from what you might expect, but they taste just as amazing. And the legend says that the best ones are made in Pučišća, by Grikula family. You may choose between jelly, chocolate or vanilla filling and we love them the most in the evening, freshly baked, and sold on the promenade.
Photo by @checa_emigrante
#6 YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE & MAP OF THE VILLAGE, MADE BY LOCALS
A few years back, locals decided to create a “use it” map for Pučišća, since it didn’t have any. This special type of map is made entirely by locals, showing their favorite places, stories, secrets of the village, ones you won’t find on your typical tourist maps. It was written in English as well as the local dialect, which most of Croatians couldn’t understand as well, making it a learning experience, too. The map was made in 2016., updated in 2017., so some of the information is outdated, but still, it is a great source of interesting bits and pieces of Pučišća.
Summers in Pučišća are always filled with amazing music, thanks to the International summer music school Pučišća, one of the longest summer traditions on Brač. Each summer in July and August, for over 20 years, musicians gather in Pučišća to participate in music courses, held for a range of instruments in classical, jazz and pop music. Instructions are delivered by highly qualified musicians from leading music academies and conservatories from Croatia, Europe, the USA, and Russia. And, at the end of these courses, participants perform free concerts to show what they’ve learned.
Photo by International summer usic school Pučišća
BONUS REASON | You can stay in a castle or a lighthouse!
Pučišća are known also as the bay of 13 towers, which were built to protect it from pirates, etc. Today, only few remain, and you can even rent one of them for your vacation! If you prefer solitude, then we have an even better option for you – a lighthouse! Now, there really is no sound reason for you to not visit Pučišća this year, agreed?
We could go on and on. But, the best way to enjoy this place is to just visit it. As soon as possible. If you need tips on where to stay, find a perfect holiday home on our website, or information on how to even reach island Brač, click here. Then, explore the rich history and tradition of stone cutting, visit the school’s workshop, try some donuts, buy some stone souvenirs, stop by for a free jazz concert, and just explore. And tell the world the story of the prettiest small place in Europe. PUČIŠĆA.
Visit Pučišća 