Fleeing from Ottoman invaders, many monks from Poljica near Split found shelter in the Vidova Gora’s caves on the Brač island. Glagholitic monks first inhabited the Dragon’s Cave near Murvica (6 km from Bol) in 1450., marking the beginning of such settlements. The Blaca Hermitage is much more than a monastic complex as a simple dormitory and a shrine inside the cave expanded into humble residential buildings. At its peak, the Blaca Hermitage had a cultural center, a school, and a library, while such projects came to life through the hard work of the monks and the community they built. This extraordinary community was remarkably resilient throughout centuries and kept expanding the agricultural treasure of Blaca. Their basements were filled with olive oil, wine, honey, cheese, and other products that became popular worldwide. They even had a three-ship fleet that shipped their products worldwide, while bringing furniture and other necessities to the island.
The most famous Blaca monk, and the last one who lived in Blaca, even constructed an observatory.
Don Niko Milicevic was an astronomer and brought a state-of-the-art telescope to Blaca, which can be seen today in the museum of Blaca.
