Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

1903

Donji Humac 75, 21423 Nerežišća
Island of Brač, Croatia

1903
  • 1893
  • 1883
  • 1873
  • 1863
  • 1853
  • 1843
  • 1833
  • 1823
  • 1813
  • 1903
    The stonemasonry workshop was founded
  • 1913
  • 1923
  • 1933
  • The church of St. Michael the Archangel
  • 1943
  • County building in Makarska
  • 1953
  • The monument to the warriors perished in the World War Two
  • Stonemasonery workshop Lovro Jakšić
  • 1963
  • 1973
  • 1983
  • The bell tower and the outdoor altar
  • 1993
  • Works on the Telecommunications Centre in Split
  • The Cross on Mount Srđ
  • 2003
  • The first Jakšić Gallery was built
  • 2013
    Monastery of the Sisters of Mercy
  • Jakšić Gallery opens in Split
  • 2023
  • 2033
  • 2043
  • 2053
  • 2063
  • 2073
  • 2083
  • 2093

History of the Jakšić stonemasonry workshop

On the island of Brač, in the village of Donji Humac, where stone has lived with people for centuries, the Jakšić family holds a prominent place in the world of stonemasonry. The first written record of their stone workshop dates back to 1903, when Ante Jakšić, grandfather of today’s owner Dražen Jakšić, received an official permit to practise the craft.

Lovro Jakšić, Dražen’s father, continued the family tradition and became a respected stonemason and self-taught sculptor. His hands shaped many stone houses, churches, walls, and hundreds of monuments and tombs throughout Dalmatia. He held a state licence for training future stonemasons, and generations of Brač craftsmen owe their skills to his mentorship.

Building on this legacy and his education at the School of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Education in Split, Dražen Jakšić modernised the workshop and expanded its scope. This fusion of tradition and knowledge created a unique synergy — today, the workshop is one of the most technically advanced in Croatia, and its team is recognised for excellence in stonemasonry.

When Ida Stipčić-Jakšić joined the family, stone took on a new role. A fashion designer with a refined aesthetic, she brought a creative shift to the family’s practice — crafting unique jewellery from semi-precious stone and silver, redefining stone not only as a material of strength but as a medium for artistic expression.

Their children, Lovre and Dina Jakšić, both graduates of the Academies of Fine Arts in Split and Rome, returned to Brač to carry on the tradition. Together, they built an art gallery, exhibiting their own sculptures, paintings, and design pieces, reinforcing the idea that art in stone is at the heart of the Jakšić identity.

Workshop for stonemasonry works

The Jakšić Workshop and Gallery are located in Donji Humac, in the heart of Brač, home to the island’s world-renowned natural treasure — Brač stone. This high-quality limestone is the foundation of the workshop’s work, which combines traditional stonemasonry with a contemporary artistic vision.

In addition to the main complex on Brač, one exhibition space is located in Split, within the Convent of the Sisters of Charity, itself a creation of the workshop. The production site includes a large stonemasonry workshop and several smaller art studios dedicated to the creation of sculptures, monuments, reliefs, paintings, installations, and jewellery.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the workspaces still rely most on the human touch. A team of expert artisans handles the most delicate and demanding stone finishing, ensuring every piece retains its authenticity and artistic value.

As formally educated artists, the Jakšić family continuously blends stone, art, and architecture. Their works can be seen across Croatia and abroad. The workshop has partnered with renowned Croatian sculptors such as Kuzma Kovačić, Matko Mijić, Dalibor Stošić, and collaborated with architects including Jerko Rošin, Slaven Rožić, Vjeko Ivanišević, Damir Rak, and Vinko Peračić.

Thanks to this unique fusion of craftsmanship, contemporary art, and architectural thinking, the Jakšić Workshop and Gallery has become a key cultural landmark on Brač and across the Mediterranean.