Island Brac, Croatia

Pucisca is a peaceful village on the northern coast of the island Brac, founded about 400 years during the Venetian dominion. According to the locals, its initial name was Spuzisca which derives from a Croatian word – spustiti se (slide, come down). It referred to its inhabitants who ‘slided’ from inland towards the coast.

Pucisca has many peculiarities among which cultural and artistic ones are the most prominent. It is renowned for its affinity for music, art and stonemasonry already in 16th century and visited by numerous famous architects and sculptors of the time. Consequently, the first school of stonemasonry was founded here so nowadays one can be see real works of art exposed within its premises. Still, the oldest cultural items is the The Charter of Povlja, written in Croatian language and kept in Rectory together with old registers of births dating back to 16th century.

The most impressive edifice is the church of St. Jerolim near which there is also a treasury with books and clergy vestments and an old library with over 15 thousand volumes. Pucisca is renowned for music events, International summer music school, gathering musicians and organizing seminars, promotions, concerts and a festival, which has made it an important center of cultural events.