The village of Gornji Humac is situated inland and is one of the oldest and most prominent places in the history of the island. The inhabitants are mostly beekeepers or they do livestock farming, as well as cutting and selling timber.
It is an ancient enclave of shepherds at almost five hundred meters above sea level and is the highest place on Brač with a harsh winter microclimate and fresh summer air currents on the gentle southern slopes facing the sun, which determined the orientation of all the old buildings.
Roads lead and circle around the central piazza (square). It was mentioned for the first time under the Croatian name Hlmčane in 1250. after the people who lived on the hum, on the heights and slopes of the Brač highlands. Hidden among the ancient dry walls, prehistoric mounds and mounds built to free up space for pastures and agriculture, are the oldest testimonies of Croatian history on the island, in the remains of medieval settlements. Gornji Humac survived in archetypal endurance, ravaged several times by plagues and pestilence in the earlier centuries, emptied at the end of the 19th century in a wave of emigration caused by grapevine disease, followed by the collapse of the entire Brač economy, and two violent arson attacks during the world war.
Enough about the dim history. Here are a couple of important, very important things to know about this village today, so listen carefully – you must must must get yourself some honey! And cheese. And vitalac (explaining what this really is we will leave for some other time). Taverns in Gornji Humac offer great homemade food, with locally sourced produce accompanied by local wine. Ok, we’ve covered the basics, now on to some other important things to do and see, while you’re here.
Gornji Humac is proud of its 17th-century church of St. Nicholas and a statue of the saint made by acclaimed Croatian sculptor, Juraj Dalmatinac. Inside, you may see a triptych of St. Michael killing the dragon, the Virgin with the child, and St. Nicholas. Very beautiful is a local cemetery if you don’t mind visiting the dark side a bit.
If you venture out on a stroll around the village, you just might stumble upon some medieval remains of old settlements Mošuja and Dubravice, and others. Did you know that the name of this village was first mentioned back in 1250?!
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