Drakonjina špilja

Drakonjina špilja (Dragon's Cave), also called Zmajeva pećina, is a small cave carved into the rocky slope above the village of Murvica on the island of Brač, Croatia. The site owes its fame to a mysterious dragon relief carved into one of its walls, which gave the cave its name and has drawn travellers interested in local legends and history for centuries.

Where does the name and the dragon legend come from?

Local tradition tells of Orkomarin, a one-eyed dragon said to have lived in the cave according to older, pre-Christian beliefs of Brač's inhabitants. The dragon relief carved on the wall is the most recognisable feature inside, alongside other symbols with pagan roots, including a depiction of the moon. The legend has survived to this day mainly through local guides and stories passed down between generations.

What is there to see inside?

The cave itself is tiny, only around 20 metres long, and its wide opening lets daylight reach almost every corner of the interior. Tradition holds that an unnamed monk settled here in the 15th century, carving out a small chapel and decorating it with reliefs. Older, shallow pagan motifs were later overlaid with deeper Christian carvings referencing visions of the end of the world. On the eastern side, above the chapel, visitors can spot carved human figures and birds sitting in nests — an unusual blend of Christian symbolism and earlier pagan beliefs that makes this one of the more intriguing sacred sites on Brač.

How do you get to Drakonjina špilja?

The cave sits on a steep slope directly above Murvica, a small settlement on Brač's southern coast. The path leading up to it is unmarked and the terrain can be demanding, so reaching it on your own may prove tricky for anyone unfamiliar with the area. The entrance itself is kept locked to protect the fragile reliefs from damage, meaning the interior can only be visited with a local guide — best booked in advance, typically from Bol or one of the nearby towns.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the steep, unmarked approach, spring and early summer are the most comfortable times to make the trip, before temperatures climb too high and before vegetation thickens along the path. In the height of summer the climb up the rocky slope can be tiring under full sun, so an early morning start is worth planning for. Because the entrance is locked, a visit needs to be arranged ahead of time by contacting a local guide or a tour organiser on the island.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the cave on your own? No — the entrance is locked, and the interior can only be seen with a local guide booked in advance.

Where does the cave's name come from? From the dragon relief carved into its wall, tied to the legend of Orkomarin, a one-eyed dragon from Brač's older belief traditions.

How far is the cave from Murvica? It sits directly above the village on a steep slope, reached via an unmarked trail.

Are there other carvings besides the dragon? Yes — alongside the dragon relief and moon symbols, there are Christian carvings depicting the end of the world, plus human figures and birds nesting, carved above the chapel.