The Plaka Monastery is the most famous architectural gem on the island of Brac. It is one of the many hermitages on the island. It is characterized by its shimmering white limestone construction that Brac is famous for. It is located in the eastern corner of a rocky valley in the south of the island. It was founded in 1551 by Glagolitic monks. They came to the area while fleeing Turkish forces, and today the monastery is open to the public as a museum with many wonderful artifacts, including about 11,000 books in the monastery's library, a collection of paintings, armour, furniture, antique clocks, an impressive piano and a telescope.