Drystone walling workshop
Fri, 8th - Sun, 10th May 2026
During this weekend workshop you will learn the basics of dry-stone walling. We will focus on the practical experience of rebuilding dry-stone walls, but we will also touch on their ecological and historic importance.
The Croatian coast and islands boast a rich heritage of dry stone structures, including walls, shelters, water catchment areas, lime kilns and barns, with Brač being amongst the locations with the highest density and diversity of such structures.
Building dry stone walls was once an integral part of peasant life in which men, women and children engaged.
Dry stone walls and buildings are not only highly rated eco structures with low embodied energy but also protected cultural heritage, and make attractive contemporary landscapes built with local materials.
It is therefore a great skill to learn. Sabine Engelhardt of Gea Viva has been teaching people of all walks of life how to construct dry stone walls and structures for many years. Here, you can see a wide range of them including a lime kiln and a historic circular dry-stone shelter (bunja).
The venue
Gea Viva is a peaceful eco island retreat in an olive grove that offers true eco living and the opportunity to learn sustainable living skills and connect with nature. Located within 15 minutes’ walk from the harbour village of Milna on Brač, it is within easy reach of public transport.
If travelling from Split, you can take the ferry to Supetar on Friday at 14.15 h, which has a connecting bus to Milna, arriving at 15.55 h. There are also direct ferries from Split to Milna operated by Kapetan Luka and TP Line.
On Sunday there is a catamaran from Milna to Split operated by KSC, leaving at 15.55 h, arriving in Split at 17.00 h.
Here is more information on public transport and how to get to Gea Viva.
Programme
For the entire weekend workshop, we will be outdoors. This outline programme gives you an idea what to expect.
Friday
from 15.00 hrs arrival
16.30 h Short guided tour of Gea Viva
17.00 -19.00 h Dry-stone walling introduction and practical work
19.30 h Supper
Saturday
from 8.00 h Breakfast
9.00 -12.30 h Dry-stone walling
12.30 h Lunch and break
16.30 -19.00 h Dry-stone walling
19.30 h Supper
Sunday
8.00 h Optional morning Yoga
9.00 h Breakfast
Departure between 10.00-14.00 h as desired.
Food
We will prepare meals on site and your help with laying the table and washing up will be greatly appreciated. The food is Vegetarian. If you have any special dietary requirements or other health concerns, please let us know in the registration form.
Accommodation options
We have a tiny house sleeping four people (two double beds) and two glamping huts (two single beds) sleeping two people each.
Free accommodation is in the dorm-style Yoga dome with camping beds or in your own tent.
Fees
The suggested donation for this workshop is 60 Euros including meals and one month’s membership of Gea Viva.
Facilitator
Sabine Engelhardt
Sabine is the founder of Gea Viva, and has been living in nature at her Permaculture smallholding for ten years. In Dalmatia she learnt how to build dry-stone walls, has renewed many in cooperation with others and has been teaching dry-stone walling for five years.
What to bring
Please bring a sturdy shoes, clothes you can layer, a hat, a torch and a sleeping bag.
