There are many reasons you should visit Pučišća, a small village on the island of Brač (Croatia) as soon as you can!
#1 IT’S ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SMALL PLACES IN EUROPE
This isn’t me 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! Its 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. I could go on for ages, but instead, let me share some pictures to prove my point.
#2 IT’S STILL RELATIVELY UNKNOWN
For decades, the people of Pučišća focused on quarrying 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 Croatian islands) with the least visitors. With the stone-cutting industry slowing down, they are becoming more and more oriented on tourism, making this the perfect time for a 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, the 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.
#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, and 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 Croatians couldn’t understand as well, making it a learning experience, too. The map was made in 2016., and updated in 2017., so some of the information is outdated, but still, it is a great source of interesting bits and pieces of Pučišća.
#7 BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Summers in Pučišća are always filled with amazing music, thanks to the International summer music school Pučišća, one of the longest summer traditions in 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.
We could go on and on. But, the best way to enjoy this place is to just visit it. As soon as possible. 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.