Supetar, a town on the central Dalmatian island of Brač, impressed the American builder Jeff Blackard so much that he decided to build a replica of Supetar in the middle of Texas. The idea, which was born seven years ago during which the U.S. businessman often visited Supetar to absorb every detail of this unique insular small town, has not only become reality, but is slowly coming to an end. He has already built about 70 percent of the "Texas Supetar" and Blackard and his business partners recently travelled to Zagreb to take over a replica of the church, in which they will incorporate bells identical to the ones in Supetar.
The American businessman bought 18 acres of land in Stonebridge - a ranch near the town of McKinney in Collin County - located along a lake of about the same size, whose bank was adjusted so that it would match the size of the port in Supetar.
In "Texas Supetar" called Adriatica everything will be the same as in the real Supetar, from the harbour, streets and square, for which the paving stones were purchased in the same quarry used by Michelangelo, to the church whose bells will ring the same way as the ones in Supetar. Along with a large housing complex Adriatica will have all the necessary additional cultural, sporting and educational facilities and should offer people the ability to escape from the usual stressful and hectic American way of life into an Adriatic oasis of peace that surrounds this town on Brač, which has captivated the American investor.
The American entrepreneur will succeed in bringing "a piece of Dalmatia" to the far-away America, where many inhabitants of Brač immigrated during the last century in search of a better and happier life. His 350 million U.S. dollar project sparked the interest of the Croatian and American public largely because of its originality and transmitting of the message of cultural and human values.
Supetar is a town on the largest Dalmatian island of Brač, which is located opposite the biggest Dalmatian town of Split. Situated on a horse-shoe shaped bay of St Peter after which it was named, Supetar fascinates with gentle ease. This is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The island of Brač also offers numerous opportunities and attractions like the desert Blaca, Vidova Gora, the world-famous beach Zlatni Rat, the Museum of Brač in Škrip, the stone carving school in Pučišći and many other attractions.
The Tourist Board of the Split-Dalmatia County
www.dalmatia.hr
The Tourist Board of Supetar
www.supetar.hr