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Blaca hermitage monastery is one of those places where exploring gets its full meaning, so as the magic. To step into the area of huge historical importance, yet so humble in its intention to preserve the beauty and the knowledge for those who seek, presents an adventure, for those willing to give their full appreciation, attention, and respect.

Pustinja Blaca is located on the Island of Brač, modern and wild, the Island of history and the novelty. The same Island is famous for the highest peak of the Dalmatian Islands, the most popular beach Golen Cape, fabulous wine, great food, adventure sports… and the hidden monastery on the south side of the island of Brac, between Bol and Milna.

The Blaca Desert, once a famous Glagolitic desert, and later an observatory, is a protected cultural asset, founded by the Glagolitic of Poljica in the middle of the 16th century. The desert covers fifty-six hectares in the Dragovode area. The name desert is used due to the lack of natural and other resources essential for living. Word Blaca reminds of Croatian word for mud (blato) and possibly was connected with the origin of the name due to the amount of mud made of small rivers after heavy rains.

In the 15th century, the Glagolitic people of Poljica fled to Brač due to the attack of the Turks. There, they received permission from the prince of Brač to settle and began to cultivate the land they received as a gift. In 1552 they founded a religious cooperative, and in 1570 they received permission to build a monastery and a church.

The fire in 1754 and the great croup of 1784 greatly affected the weakening of the economy, and consequently, the number of hermits decreased. Due to the damage, the Bishop of Hvar and Brač accepted the request of the hermits and issued a permit to build a Desert in which they could live, pray, consecrate and receive whomever they wanted into their ranks. The members were both priests and laymen who after a certain time would be elevated to the rank of confreres.

After the death of the priest Miličević who was taking care and managing the Blace, the desert of Croatian Glagolitic was extinguished in 1962.

Blaca hermitage has monumental value found in the construction of various rooms, multi-story buildings, and Renaissance church built 1588.

Having settled in a small cave, they slowly upgraded it and created a residential and church space. In the living space, there is a large library, several paintings and Glagolitic missals, a collection of old rifles, and a small printing house. Since 1926, there is also astronomical station founded by Don Niko Miličević. The monastery houses the second largest telescope in Europe which is not currently in use.

The value of this historical area and natural beauty is great, and it gets an entirely new meaning once you embark on this unique adventure.

Croatia has over 1.200 islands and islets scattered in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Each island is unique with its own history, culture, and natural beauty.

The influence of coastal waves and winds has favored the creation of many diverse natural forms, including caves easily accessible from the sea surface. One of the most beautiful and famous caves is the Blue cave on Island Biševo.

Island Biševo, located just 5 kilometers southwest of the Island of Vis and it’s the most remote inhabited island in the Adriatic Sea. Archaeological findings confirm that the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as well as in ancient Greek and ancient Roman times.

Island was always famous as the best place for fishing because the sea surrounding the island is rich with fish and sea life and then the Blue cave took all that fame for its self.

The beauty of Blue Cave was known only to local fishermen’s and it was hidden from the eyes of the world till 1884 when Austrian painter, explorer, and speleologist Baron Eugen Ranssonet discovered it on the island of Biševo. He published his discovery in the Viennese newspaper Neue Freie Presse, August 7, 1884.: Die blaue Grotte der Insel Busi.

This discovery aroused the huge interest of the Austrian public in the natural beauties of the coast and islands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. By some people, the Adriatic phenomenon - the Blue Cave on the island of Biševo surpasses in its beauty a similar cave, known as the Grotta Azzura on the island of Capri, which was considered the most beautiful in the world.

In the morning, as you leave the summer light and enter the tunnel inside of the cliff, you soon encounter the deep blue beauty that illuminates us from the sea, the color that turns all objects and bodies into liquid silver.

When someone mentions the island of Lastovo first thing that would be on your mind is crystal clear sea, secluded beaches, intact nature, delicious seafood, and not the chimney. Yes, you read it right, Lastovo is famous for its chimneys, or as we say Lastovski Fumari.

Throughout history life on the island was never easy and people were always helpful to each other even in the most difficult situations. On the other hand, they always wanted to prove that one family is better, smarter, or wealthier than the other family. On the island of Lastovo status symbol that presented wealth or ingenuity of the family and household was decorating unique and picturesque chimneys.

	Lastovo chimney		Village of Lastovo

The oldest house on the island was built in the 15 century, and from then onwards there are no equally built chimneys on the whole island.

Although the exterior design of the chimneys was different, the core construction design was similar. During windy and cold winters on the island, the fireplace was the central and most important place of the house.

Chimneys had to be functional and provide good ventilation between the fireplace and cold air on the outside.

Lastovo can be proud of its very distinctive and functional chimneys and construction genius.

Namely, the original Fumar (literally the chimney) has a circular cross-section in the flue of the chimney, with a cylindrical extension (cap) and a conical top of the cap. The most important thing is that such a smoke cap had the function of protecting the house from possible fires caused by vertical drafts in the chimney, which ordinary smoke caps on steep terrain cannot prevent. Its round shape always creates a vacuum from the winds from all directions, which sucks the smoke out of the fireplace.

The functionality of Lastovo chimneys is not questionable, but their beauty and uniqueness as well as the story that lies behind make Lastovo one of the most attractive and interesting places to visit.

Cultural differences, habits, and way of living describe the national mentality, its remains, and overall heritage. The impact the country’s history has on everyday life is huge and it can be seen through many layers of society. Many invisible nuances are those that make the overall impression on us as travelers and explorers.

We can all agree that the culture of coffee drinking influenced the whole world, and as an important economical and social factor, it also made a huge impact on the tourism industry. The culture of coffee drinking is the most widespread habit in the world connecting people in a simple act of getting together, taking a break, and trying to regain focus and energy.

Often seen as a simple drink and a call for socializing, the coffee culture of the country says a lot about its social and economical standing. 

Coffee origins

There is evidence of people using coffee for health purposes in writings dating back to 900 BC, but no one is entirely sure when it was first discovered. The plant originates from Ethiopia, where drinking coffee made from dried and roasted seeds started to be a daily habit. The ritual of making and drinking coffee soon spread throughout the world.

In the 16th century, Turkey developed the daily custom of coffee drinking. In Europe coffee was introduced by the Venetian physician Prospero Alpini. The area on today’s Croatia and wider was influenced by both Turkey and Venice and left us with rich historical and cultural remains. Research indicates that coffee was brought to our region by the Turks in the 16th century, and there is evidence mentioning coffee in Dubrovnik at the beginning of the 17th century.

Coffee in everyday life

At first, coffee was popularized on the mainland. People on the coast and islands had their siesta, and people on the mainland either worked hard or were part of the urban culture. Both easily adopted this habit, either to energize or to participate in the cultural life of the city. Ritual of coffee drinking spread so quickly that such differentiation cannot be applied anymore. Coffee became an important part of everyday life in Croatia. Known as a nation that likes to socialize, coffee drinking nowadays is equally rooted in all areas of the country.

For someone who’s coming from a different cultural climate, it is very easy to adapt and enjoy like a local. If you are a traveler on your mission to explore Croatia, having a coffee for hours might be the right thing to do. Sitting for hours, chatting, or just quietly enjoying your company and your coffee is very common for Croatians. It is also very common to start a conversation with anyone as if you knew each other for years. This is a great way to find out about the country firsthand and to understand the way Croatians live, think, and communicate. It is no wonder there were so many tries in history to prohibit coffee and cafes. It presents freedom to get out of the hectic world, relax, enjoy the moment and share it with anyone around. Sounds a little bit idealistic? Maybe, but it gets down to that.
 

Macchiato or Turkish coffee?

So, what kind of coffee Croatians drink? 

As earlier mentioned Croatia was influenced both by Turks and Venetians. At home, it is common to prepare simple black coffee made in Turkish coffeepot with precisely defined rules. It is not possible to order this coffee in a cafe, but that's fine because in the cafes Croatians drink espresso or macchiato. Being a tourist country the offer became wide and diverse, but remember if you order a coffee you will get expresso, or you will be asked if you want your coffee with or without milk. Macchiato, coffee with milk, small coffee with milk, white coffee… We also get confused and make mistakes, but in the end, we’re happy to get a coffee and relax.

Špica

Rush hour in cafes, and more importantly in specific cafes is also part of our cultural identity. This phenomenon is tightly connected with our working habits and our need to socialize. More precisely, the office can be under the sun as well as fun can be in the office. Coffee rush hour at 11 AM in downtown, especially on Saturdays, is a proper event. Everyone goes out in the sun to meet with their friends, colleagues and comment on their work, plans, or that beautiful dress the girl just across is wearing. Coffee rush hour or as we call it špica (literally seed, the compressed diversity) becomes a surreal place with different people, an office, a park, a playground, or a fashion show. Špica is a vibrant place full of interesting people, stories, scenes, situations, and it is also a great place to experience the country.
 

To meet one’s country means to understand its culture, history, its everyday life, as well as its diversities. If you’re in Croatia don’t forget to grab a coffee, meet new people and enjoy long conversations. 

*Guštaj

*enjoy in Dalmatia