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When we speak about
the history of Brela we must go back into the past for
more than two millenniums. In this wonderland monuments
have been existing from time immemorial in collusion
with the magic character of Brela. It is therefore not
strange that the first patron of this Adriatic oasis -
Berylliae of the Antiquity, is Silvan, the
Illyrian-Roman god of woods and untouched nature. The
ecology has found its name still in the ancient times in
this homeland of Mediterranean secrets, but 1937 is
considered to be the beginning of organized tourism
Today, Brela is a modern tourist settlement of rich
tradition and natural beauty. The Byzantine emperor
Constantine VII Profirogent mentioned the place in his
letters in the 10th century. Brela offers you a rich
cultural heritage; there were found several necropolis of
Illyrian origin, as well as graves from the Roman times.
The most interesting historical monument is a relief (II
or III century) representing Illyrian god Silvan which was
built in the lintel of Srecko Filipovicīs stable in
Brela-Soline (the sculpture is in a private collection of
Zvonimir Filipovic in Brela-Soline). He has a blade in one
hand symbolising a pastoral cult with agriculture. The
cult of Silvan was specially adored by the Illyrian tribe
DALMATI.
CULTURAL MONUMENTS:
Lady of Karmen Church, a valuable monument of baroque
architecture with stylish explicitness, in harmony with
the surrounding. It was built in 1715 in the appreciation
of victory against Turks, and is called Lady of Victory
church too.
St. Nicolaīs Church (527 m) from pre-Turkish period, is a
very valuable medieval monument. It has been a parish
church with graveyards for centuries.
Lady of Health Church (18th century), with rustic form of
Dalmatian baroque, characteristic for Dalmatian
background. It is harmoniously fitted with the landscape.
St. Ilija Church (18th century), a simple feast church
with characteristics of rural architecture.
Standing tomb-stone, in the south side of St. Stjepan
church (14-15th century), with a special cultural
significance.
St. Stjepan Church (1897), a modern church with high
cultural values. St. Stjepan is the patron of Brela.
On Biokovo mountain, above Brela, are ruins known as
Herceg tower (a defensive tower for fight against Turks).
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