BRELA
Brela(population 1500) is situated 15 km north-west of Makarska, on the steep Biokovo foothills.
The population there is engaged in winegrowing, olive growing, growing of marasca cherries and figs, and tourism. Brela is the springs of beauty because of its natural features: a thick pine wood descending all the way to the beautiful gravel beaches and the clear sea. It has been known as one of the most attractive tourist places in Croatia for several centuries already. It is the winner of thr European ecological award "Blue flag" for years 1999-2001.
There is a small marina to harbour boats and yachts. Brela was raised at the site of Roman settlements (1st-4th century). For the time in history, it was mentioned by Constantine Porphyrogenitus (about 950.) with the name Berulia.
The today's settlement was raised in more recent times with the arrival of the population from villages at the foot of Biokovo. In Brela, there is the church of Gospa of Karmela, a significant monument of architecture from the 18th century, and the parish church of St. Stjepan from the 19th century. There is a medieval necropolis in the graveyard - today an archeological park - with eight tombstones decorated with reliefs.
Kennst du das Land (J. W. von Goethe)
Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn,
Im dunkeln Laub die Gold-Orangen glühn,
Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht,
Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht?
Kennst du es wohl?
Dahin! dahin
Möcht ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn.
Kennst du das Haus? Auf Säulen ruht sein Dach.
Es glänzt der Saal, es schimmert das Gemach,
Und Marmorbilder stehn und sehn mich an:
Was hat man dir, du armes Kind, getan?
Kennst du es wohl?
Dahin! dahin
Möcht ich mit dir, o mein Beschützer, ziehn.
Kennst du den Berg und seinen Wolkensteg?
Das Maultier sucht im Nebel seinen Weg;
In Höhlen wohnt der Drachen alte Brut;
Es stürzt der Fels und über ihn die Flut!
Kennst du ihn wohl?
Dahin! dahin
Geht unser Weg! O Vater, laß uns ziehn! ...
Do you know the land (J. W. von Goethe)
Do you know the land where the lemon trees blossom?
Among dark leaves the golden oranges glow.
A gentle breeze from blue skies drifts.
The myrtle is still, and the laurel stands high.
Do you know it well?
There, there
would I go with you, my beloved.
Do you know the house? On pillars rests its roof.
The great hall glistens, the room shines,
and the marble statues stand and look at me,
asking:
"What have they done to you, poor child?"
Do you know it well?
There, there
Would I go with you, oh my protector.
Do you know the mountain and its path?
The muletier searches in the clouds for his way;
in the caves dwell the dragon of the old breed.
The cliff falls, and over it the flood.
Do you know it well?
There, there
leads our way; oh father, let us go!
Brela in the pictures
