Stone Masonry School Pučišća | The Only Stone Masonry School in Croatia

The Stone Masonry School in Pučišća is one of the most recognized educational institutions on Brač and the only secondary school in Croatia specialized in stone masonry. It is located a few minutes above the waterfront, in a stone building surrounded by workshops and a courtyard where students can be seen processing Brač stone with hand and modern tools during the day.

The school was established in 1909 and arose from the long-standing tradition of stone extraction and processing in Pučišća and its surroundings. The quarries around Pučišća have shaped the appearance of the area and the way of life in this part of Brač for centuries, making the school a natural continuation of the local stone masonry tradition.

The majority of the curriculum is based on practical work. Students learn hand stone processing, ornament creation, restoration of stone details, sculpture, and the use of modern stone processing machines during their education. During a tour of the school, one can often see unfinished sculptures, reliefs, stone columns, and various practice works distributed throughout the courtyard and workshops.

Part of the school is open to visitors, and during the summer, guided tours of the workshops and exhibition spaces can be organized. This allows visitors to see the methods of processing Brač stone, the tools used, and a selection of students' works. It is particularly interesting to note how much of the work is still done by hand, despite the presence of modern machinery.

The school has a dormitory, attracting students from various parts of Croatia and abroad. Part of the program is also related to the restoration of historical buildings, with former students and professors participating in numerous projects for the restoration of stone structures in Croatia and beyond.

The Stone Masonry School is not a typical museum or a major tourist attraction, but it effectively explains why Pučišća looks different from most places along the Adriatic. The white Brač stone here is not just a building material but has been a part of the daily life of the town for over a hundred years.

It is important to note that the school is not open for free tourist visits at all times, so it is best to check the schedule for guided tours or organized visits during the summer.