Gastro museum Bura - Where space and flavour tell the same story
Experience an authentic tasting at the Bura Gastro Museum, located at the foot of Mount Velebit – just 40 minutes from Zadar. In a former mine, you'll discover a blend of local flavours, lavender, and tradition – an experience that stays with you.
As you step into the rocky landscape of Jasenice, with the mighty Velebit rising in the distance and the sharp breath of the bura shaping every vine, stone and sip of wine – you know you've arrived somewhere special. Here, on the border between raw nature and the warmth of local hospitality, lies Morlacco – the Gastro Museum Bura, a place where the past, nature and pure hedonism come together in an experience that stays with you long after you've left.
Located just a 30-minute drive from Zadar, the Bura Gastro Museum was founded with the aim of preserving and presenting Croatia’s rich gastronomic heritage, with a special focus on the connection between local stories, flavours, and traditions. Our space is a meeting point of history, culture, and gastronomy, offering visitors the chance to experience Croatia in an authentic and unforgettable way. A special emphasis is placed on the bura wind, which is not just a natural phenomenon but a defining element of this region. With its strength and freshness, the bura gives a unique aroma to the food and drinks produced here, making their flavours richer and truly one of a kind.
From mine to Museum of flavors
There are few places in Croatia that have told their story as boldly and creatively as this one. What was once an abandoned mine is now a space where culture, aromas, and local delicacies meet. Owners Nikolina and Josip Nekić, together with Danijel and Ivana Barjašić, breathed new life into this former industrial site and created a place that can’t truly be described — it has to be experienced.
Surrounded by lavender, wine, and the ever-present bura wind, the Bura Gastro Museum takes you on a journey through Croatia’s rich culinary heritage. Designed as a tasting room, educational center, and a kind of flavour museum, this space allows every glass of wine, every drop of olive oil, and every bite of local prosciutto to tell the story of the region beneath the Velebit mountains.
When place, purpose, and timing fall into place
We’ve written before about projects that, in a similar way, connect space, tradition, and personal stories – and each leaves a different kind of impression.
Everything here moves at its own pace – slow, in tune with nature and the surroundings. There’s no need for spectacle, because the feeling comes from what is real, local, and thoughtfully created. The experience unfolds naturally – in an atmosphere that holds your attention without ever asking for it.
Why do you believe authentic experiences like this are essential for guests and the future of tourism in Croatia?
We believe that today’s travellers are looking for more than just sightseeing and relaxation — they want to deeply understand a destination and connect with its culture. Authentic experiences, like those offered by the Bura Gastro Museum, help guests discover local stories, customs, and traditions that often remain hidden beyond typical tourist paths. The bura wind plays an important role here, as its presence directly shapes the unique quality of local products, offering visitors a truly distinctive sensory experience. These kinds of experiences not only enrich their travels but also support sustainable tourism and strengthen local communities.
What motivates you to promote and offer these kinds of experiences through both offline and online channels? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you to start doing this?
Our story began with a passion for Croatian heritage and a desire to preserve it and pass it on to future generations. Through personal experience and conversations with our guests, we realized how important projects like this are in connecting people and cultures. Digital channels have allowed us to reach a wider audience and share stories that inspire people from all over the world to visit Croatia and discover its authenticity. Collaboration with local producers and brands has also been key to our success. We believe in working together and in the synergy that happens when everyone shares the same goal — to promote the true spirit of our country.
A visit that leaves a mark
A visit to this place is not just a tour or a tasting – it's a complete experience that engages the senses of smell, taste, and the stories that slowly but surely win you over. From the space of a former mine to the ambiance of a museum where food becomes a medium for telling the story of local tradition.
On the table are products that reflect the local landscape: homemade prosciutto and pancetta, carefully selected cheeses, full-flavored olive oil, and a few desserts that complete the experience. A glass of wine is served alongside, its character shaped by the unique conditions of this region – including the influence of the bura wind, which enhances the flavors and aromas of local ingredients.
The space is surrounded by lavender fields, whose intoxicating scent creates a special atmosphere. It's not unusual to see visitors linger after the tour, exploring the little details of the space, chatting over a glass of wine, or choosing souvenirs – such as soaps, oils, or candles – that will later remind them of this day.
All in all, this is not just a place to taste something – it's a place to stay, if only for a moment, in an atmosphere that brings you back to your roots, reminds you of what truly matters, and offers a break from all that is unnecessary.
Walk through a story, taste the local, and feel the space in a different way. All of this awaits you at the foot of Velebit – with a simple reservation through Authland.
