Veliko Brdo

Veliko Brdo occupies a sunny slope above western Makarska, where the coastal neighbourhoods meet the rocky foot of Mount Biokovo. Its focal point is the parish church of St Jerome, built in 1745 and consecrated on 24 October 1756, while the village itself first appears in written records in 1571. The historic parish once stretched from the sea to Biokovo’s summit and now comprises Veliko Brdo and the hamlet of Žlib. This setting makes it possible to combine the old village core, a walk towards the mountain trails and a swim on Makarska’s western beaches in a single day. Veliko Brdo is not a conventional waterfront resort: reaching the sea means descending through western Makarska and returning uphill towards the church and stone houses. Its appeal lies instead in a higher perspective over Makarska and the coast, coupled with immediate access to the mountain hinterland. The Điro circular bus links Veliko Brdo with Zelenka and central Makarska, reducing the need to drive into town for every outing.

Veliko Brdo takes its identity from the meeting of Makarska and Biokovo rather than from a waterfront promenade. St Jerome’s Church stands on a sloping site in the old core, while the settlement continues through Žlib towards higher, rockier ground. The parish became independent from Bast in 1735, and Franciscans from Makarska served it as far back as the period of Ottoman rule. Emigration shaped its more recent history, particularly after the 1962 earthquake prompted some residents to move down to Makarska. Present-day Veliko Brdo consequently combines an old hillside village with newer residential and holiday accommodation above the western part of the town.