Paško, the horse from the well-known Lučić family, has become the central figure in the story of Gornji Dolac’s transformation. This Dalmatian hinterland village was almost completely abandoned more than a decade ago. His arrival in the village marked the beginning of a process that brought life back to the local community, turning a forgotten place into a recognisable destination.
When Paško arrived in Gornji Dolac in 2014, the circumstances were extremely modest. At that time, there was no substantial business plan nor a developed tourism strategy in the village. The infrastructure was characterised by a distinct lack of serious amenities, making the place unattractive to the wider public and potential investors.
Despite the absence of formal plans and modern facilities, Paško’s presence became a catalyst for change. A narrative whole developed around this animal, attracting attention and transforming a simple village into a place with a unique identity.
Today, Paško is considered the foundation of one of Dalmatia’s most famous Advent stories. This story did not emerge through corporate marketing campaigns, but through the organic development of a community around a central figure, proving that even without initial infrastructure and strategic management, an authentic story can trigger significant social and tourism changes.
