Wojciech Fedoruk

Poland - 08-Oct-23 -

Having visited the island of Brač I couldn’t miss the opportunity to go to unreviewed TWHS of Hermitage Blaca. The journey from popular towns of Supetar or Postira takes about one hour, last few kilometers are on dirt road. Then you have to park your car and go on foot about two kilometers through the mountain path – quite demanding, especially during summer heat. The views are great and reward the hardships of hiking.

Hermitage Blaca's history dates back to the 16th century when Glagolitic monks, fleeing the Ottoman invasion, sought refuge in this remote spot. They carved out their hermitage within the rugged cliffs, creating a place of both spiritual significance and scholarly pursuit. Blaca is really picturesque, set on the mountain slope like famous monasteries in Bulgaria, Georgia or Meteora in Greece.

When I reached the monastery, the only guide was with another group, so I had to wait about 30 minutes. After that time several other foreign tourists came, so we could enjoy a tour in English. The interior is not very impressive, but gives impression how monks lived in the middle of 20th century or before (back then the place was still alive and children from neighbouring villages went to school to Blaca. Original classroom is still there). The tour takes around one hour.

I don’t think this place has a potential for being a world heritage site, or at least Blaca didn’t convince me of its outstanding universal value. But the place is nice and worth visiting anyway.

While you are there – WHS of Stari Grad seems very close on the map. In reality, going from Brač to Hvar is quite complicated (only one ferry per day) and it is easier (and even cheaper) to go back to Split and then take a ferry to Stari Grad.