Blaca Hermitage
Built into a cliff face overlooking the sea by Glagolitic monks fleeing Ottoman invaders in the 16th century, the Blaca Hermitage is one of Brač's most serene sights. From the bay below the complex, it's a 2-km (1-mile) hike uphill and well off the beaten path, as it's only reachable by foot. Experiencing the hike helps you understand the monks' toil in constructing the site without modern amenities. You can also arrive by car from Nerežišća across Dragovode (now a ghost town) and then walk about 30 minutes up to the monastery. Either way, don hiking shoes and bring water, especially in summer. The monks also grew rich vineyards and lush olive groves, despite the wild and arid landscape. Inside, the fine collection of period furniture includes a piano and telescope that belonged to Father Nikola Miličević (1887–1963), Blaca's last hermit and an avid astronomer. In its heyday, the hermitage had a printing press, a school, and an observatory. Monks no longer liver here; today, it functions as a museum, where a guided tour is worth the expense.
