The tradition of Balun o ruke has been preserved in Nerežišća. At Museum Night 2018, teams played above the roof of the unique 14th-century Church of St. Peter; a dwarf pine more than two hundred years old grows on the roof. The interplay of a handed-down custom, church architecture and a tree makes this episode a special way into the culture of the place.
Protected landscapes and trails
The landscape is also part of the character of the Municipality of Nerežišća. Vidova gora is a protected landscape; its highest peak is Sutvid, at 778 metres. Most of the area lies within the Municipality of Nerežišća, and the landscape has been protected since 1973. The protected landscape of Dolina Blaca is also within the municipality and has been protected since 1986.
Nerežišća lies at the crossroads of Brač’s main roads and on the slopes of the island’s largest plain. The Vidova gora educational trail offers a specific way to explore the landscape: it is intended for pedestrians and cyclists, starts at the turn-off for Vidova gora at the second kilometre of the Nerežišća–Bol road, and ends at the highest peak on the island of Brač.
A six-day cycling programme on Brač lists Nerežišća as a stop and focuses on the island’s historic churches and sacred sites. A different route option concerns the Pustinja Blaca Museum: from Nerežišća, the drive goes through the Vidova gora area to the Dragovoda area; from there, it is about a half-hour walk. This distinguishes the directions for a trail intended for pedestrians and cyclists from a drive followed by a walk.
The collection of the Pustinja Blaca Museum includes 18th-century portraits, several Baroque paintings, Glagolitic missals and a small printing press. It also includes old firearms belonging to Blaca seafarers, which were used to defend against pirates.
Archaeological traces and sacred architecture
Near Donji Humac, a long look back in time begins at Kopačina Cave. It is considered the oldest known human settlement site on Brač; traces of life dating from the 8th to the 3rd millennium BC have been found there. The Chapel of St. Elijah near Donji Humac also tells of older layers: it dates from the 10th century and was built on the remains of a Roman mausoleum. The early Romanesque Chapel of St. Luke in Donji Humac is dated to the 11th or 12th century.
The parish church of Saints Fabian and Sebastian in Donji Humac contains a valuable 13th-century fresco, considered one of the oldest in southern Croatia. The church is also regarded as a pilgrimage destination for many believers. Donji Humac is also known for its old stone houses and stone structures, preserved traditions and various folk customs.
The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is surrounded by symmetrical, richly decorated manor houses built of stone. In Dračevica, the parish church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is dated to 1770; it was extended in 1904. Another part of the village’s history is recorded only as a former use: Dračevica once had the largest windmill on Brač, which milled grain for the entire island.
Wine and olive oil culture
A 2021 description presents a wine and olive oil experience in Nerežišća, set in traditional surroundings with old stone houses, a traditional wine cellar, an ethnographic house and a vineyard. It describes tastings accompanied by an educational presentation about the production of wine and olive oil. The listing also names Plavac Mali Franulić wine, olive oil, olives, cheese, capers and other products.
The discoveries in the Municipality of Nerežišća thus range from protected landscapes and a route intended for pedestrians and cyclists to archaeological finds, churches and handed-down customs. You can weigh up the different highlights according to your interests when choosing a destination for your stay on Brač.
Discover more destinations: Donji Humac, Nerežišća, Municipality of Milna, Municipality of Sutivan, Municipality of Selca, Municipality of Supetar, Municipality of Pučišća, Municipality of Bol.
To the overview of the wider region: Brač.
