Few tourists strolling through the Brač landscape know that they are walking on stone that has traveled the world. Brač marble, better known as Brač stone, is not just a building material - it is an export product that has shaped some of the most famous buildings on the planet. The White House in Washington, the Capitol, even parts of the United Nations in New York - all carry a piece of Brač in their foundations and facades. Today, the quarries from which this stone was extracted are quiet, abandoned, and overgrown with scrub, but their monumentality still takes your breath away. If you love places where history and nature meet in unexpected ways, these five locations deserve a spot on your Brač itinerary.
Why was Brač stone so sought after?
Brač marble, actually a type of limestone, is known for its whiteness, dense structure, and resistance to weather conditions. Stonemasons from Brač, especially from the town of Pučišća, perfected the craft of stone carving over centuries, passing their knowledge down from generation to generation. When the world needed stone for monumental architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Brač was a natural choice. Today, the stonemasonry school in Pučišća, the only one of its kind in Croatia, still preserves this tradition.
5 abandoned quarries worth visiting
1. Rasohe Quarry near Splitska
This is probably the most impressive quarry on the island and the place most often mentioned when discussing the stone used for the White House. Rasohe is located in the island's interior, not far from Splitska, and is reached via a dirt road that is easily accessible by car, though I recommend parking earlier and walking the last stretch. Vertical cliffs, artificial lakes formed from rainwater at the bottom of the quarry, and the silence that reigns here create an almost surreal scene. The best time to visit is in the morning, when light falls diagonally on the white rocks and highlights their texture - photos look best then.
2. Straživa Quarry
Less known but no less impressive, Straživa is located near Škrip, the oldest settlement on the island. This quarry has a somewhat more intimate atmosphere - surrounded by denser vegetation, with rocks covered in moss where water stagnates for long periods. Local guides are happy to mention that stone for some Split palaces was extracted here as far back as antiquity, meaning this site has a stonemasonry tradition spanning more than two millennia.
3. Quarry near Pučišća - the heart of stonemasonry tradition
Pučišća itself, known as the capital of Brač stonemasonry, is surrounded by smaller quarries that are still partially active today. Here you can visit the Stonemasonry School and see craftsmen at work, and nearby are older, abandoned quarries where traces of manual stone processing can still be seen - chisels, wedges, and old techniques that preceded modern machines. I recommend combining a visit to the quarry with a tour of the school itself, which operates during the school year and is happy to welcome visitors.
4. Plaža Quarry near Selca
This quarry is special because it sits right by the sea, creating an incredible contrast between white stone and the turquoise Adriatic. Ships once loaded stone blocks directly from here for transport, and today it is a peaceful cove ideal for a picnic after sightseeing. The water here is crystal clear, and the quarry rocks provide ideal shade during hot summer afternoons. This place is rarely overcrowded with tourists, even in July and August.
5. Dračevica Quarry
Hidden in the interior, near the village of the same name, this quarry is less accessible but rewards visitors with a sense of discovery. It can only be reached on foot or by bicycle, through a landscape of dry stone walls and olive groves that testify to the hard work of generations of Brač islanders. The quarry itself is smaller in size, but the surrounding landscape with a view of the sea to the south makes it worth visiting for those who love hiking and discovering the island's lesser-known corners.
Practical tips for visiting the quarries
- Best time to visit: spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October), when temperatures are not extreme and vegetation is at its greenest
- Footwear: closed shoes with good tread are essential - the terrain is rocky and slippery in places, especially around the lakes in the quarries
- Water and food: bring enough water, as there are no kiosks or restaurants near the quarries
- Guides: professional tours can be arranged in Pučišća and Splitska through local tourist agencies, which is recommended if you want to hear more detailed stories about the history of stonemasonry
- Photography: use the morning and early evening hours for the best light, when shadows highlight the relief of the stone
Where to stay while exploring Brač
To explore these five locations, it is ideal to choose accommodation in Pučišća or Splitska, as these towns are centrally located and close to all the mentioned quarries. Apartments in these towns often offer sea views, and after a day spent touring the quarries, nothing beats an evening swim in the sea that helped shape this island. On BarbaBooking.com you can find a variety of accommodation options on Brač, from traditional stone houses to modern apartments with sea views, perfect for guests who want to combine cultural sightseeing with a summer holiday.
Tastes of Brač after a day of exploring
After touring the quarries, seek well-deserved rest in the taverns of Pučišća or Škrip, where traditional Brač dishes are served - lamb baked under the peka (bell-shaped lid), homemade cheese, and vitalac, a local dessert made from dried fruit and almonds. A restaurant in Pučišća itself, located on the waterfront with a view of the harbor, is ideal for dinner after a day spent among the white cliffs.
The Brač quarries are not just places that bear witness to the past - they are living monuments to a craft that is still passed down from generation to generation today. Visit them, touch the stone that traveled to the world's most important buildings, and return with a story that few people know.