Cycling Croatia's Brac Island

Days 4-5: Spectacular Vista's, Some Rain & The Stonecutter's School

Day Four began by giving my electric assist "e-bike" its first workout with a ride that went straight uphill to the village of Skrip. In Skrip we admired the views and visited an olive mill for a tasting. Although some of our routing took us on some of the islands main roads we found the riding easy. Other than near the ferry terminous in Supertar the number of vehicles traveling throughout Brac was very and pretty courteous to cyclists.

Olive Oil Tasting in Skrip

From Skrip we rode through the rolling hills of Brac Island along its coastline to the stunning village of Pucisca for lunch and a visit to its Stonecutter's School.  The town of Pucisca was also one of the most immaculate little cities I have ever seen.

  

Pucisca

After lunch we visited Pucisca's Stonecutter's School. Here 60-100 high school age students enroll to learn the traditional art of Roman stonecutting. The school's students are trained to do all work by hand with chisels. There are no power tools. Students live at the school and may choose one of two training tracks: a three year track that prepares them for traditional masonry jobs, and the other track is four years and prepares students destined for university arts programs in sculpture and/or historic preservation work. Works from the school are never sold.

The strategic location of the school is based on its proximity to Brac's extensive limestone quarry's that date back to the Romans plus access to deep water ports.

 Students Were Off During Our Saturday Visit

Touring The Studio

In-Process Work

Stonecutter Tools

All Work Uses Traditional Measuring Devices

The Island Offers Views From Every Turn

Day Five began with grey skies and hard driving rain. The original intent was to shuttle us to the top of the highest hill on the island of Brac, enjoy the view and then ride down to the seaside town of Milne.  With the hilltop in fog we instead began the ride lower down the hill.  

A Little Tree Growing From Roof of This Church in Nerezisca 

(Considered a Miracle to Locals)

We began the day with our route review looking out the hotel dining room windows to sheets of rain. Reports told us the mountaintop was in deep fog.  So it was decided to begin our riding lower down the mountain where episodes of rain were starting to be mixed with hints of sun. The roads were slippery though so the riding was a bit slower than usual. 

But as the day progressed and the sun came out, we all concluded it was actually a great day to ride.

Milna's Sunny Harborfront Square

A Cat Lady in Milna

Milna Harbor

Some information about the Adriatic Sea. It is the bluest body of water I have ever seen.  It is very clear and was comfortable to swim in even in early October. Since it has limited connection to the Mediterranean and lots of fresh water tributaries flowing into it, there is a noticable lack of salt in the water. Locals informed us that it allows for perfect conditions to harvest the fleur de sel that chefs prize in cooking.

Notice how close the boats are to the stone harbor edge? It is the result of the unique configuration of the Adriatic Sea that results in very little tidal activity, so city waterfronts nearly touch the boats.

Milna Breaktime
(Mario Sporting His Lavender Man T-Shirt)

A local celebrity Lavender Man creates t-shirts, art works even a mockumentary. His shop on Hvar is open during the summer months. A nudist himself, customers are awarded an immediate 30% discount by entering the shop and purchasing Lavender Man products in the nude. 

Tomorrow we transfer by motor launch from Brac to the Island of Hvar. The weather is supposed to clear up and be sunny for the rest of the cycling week!

Roadboy's Travels © 2018