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 Brac
The largest island of the
central Dalmatian group of islands, the third largest among the
Adriatic islands; area 394.57 sq km; population 13,824. It is separated
from the mainland by the Brac Channel, from the island of Solta
by the so-called Splitska Vrata (Split Gate) and from the island
of Hvar by the Hvar Channel. The highest peak of the island, Vidova
Gora (Vitus' Mount) (778 m), is also the highest peak of all Croatian
islands. The limestone part of the coast is rocky and steep, while
the rest is rather low and sandy (on the southern side from Farska
to Bol, and on the northern side from Sutivan to Supetar). The island
landscape is dominated by a karst limestone relief, with numerous
gullies, crevices, cavities, round valleys and coves. Milder forms
of the relief, with brown Primorje soils (the most fertile on the
island), are found mostly in the interior (especially between Lozisca
and Nerezisca, as well as between Selca, Novo Selo and Sumartin).
Average air temperatures in January range between 4.9°C (Praznice)
and 7.2 °C (Sutivan), and in July between 22.9 °C (Nerezisca,
elevation 360 m) and 24.7 °C (Sutivan). Rainfall occurs mostly
in the winter months. The annual rainfall in Praznice reaches 1,450
mm and in Sutivan about 830 mm. The climate on the island is mostly
moderated by winds, i.e. the sirocco and the bora (the so-called
"vruljska" bora between Pucisca and Povlja). The landward
breeze occurs quite often in the summer months, especially along
the north-western coast. There are no surface water streams on the
island. Permanent water sources are provided only around Bol. Higher
parts of the island (above 400 m) are at some places covered with
black and Aleppo pine forests; larger or smaller forests of Aleppo
pine are found around all coastal towns and villages; dominant are
dense evergreen underbrush (macchia) and rocky ground. The largest
places are Pucisca and Supetar. Major farming products are olive
oil, wine and fruit (sour cherries and almonds); chief occupations
include also livestock breeding and fishing. Fish canneries are
located in Postira and Milna. Major quarries, where the famous Brac
building stone is excavated, are located near Pucisca, Selca, Postira,
Splitska and Do-nji Humac (this kind of building stone was used
in the construction of the White House in Washington and the Palace
of Diocletian in Split). A road network has been constructed throughout
the island; ferry lines Split - Supetar, Makarska - Sumartin; ship
lines with Supetar and Bol. Airport (for smaller aircraft) above
Bol.
Brac was inhabited as early as the Neolithic (Kopacina Cave between
Donji Humac and Supetar), featuring also the archaeological sites
from the Bronze and Iron Ages (hill-forts Rat near Lozisca, Kastilo
above Bol, Skrip - as the major fortification, Velo and Malo Gradisce,
Hum, Gradac, tumuli in the vicinity of Nerezisca, Praznice, Gornji
and Donji Humac and elsewhere) and from the period of Greek colonization
(Vicja Vala). The first known settlers were the Illyrians (the ancient
name of Brac, Brattia, most probably originates from the Illyrian
word brentos: deer). The Roman period has also left many traces
(summer mansions, tombs) not only in the interior of the islands
but also on the coast; the quarries near Skrip were exploited already
during Diocletian's reign. In the early Middle Ages Brac came under
Byzant, to be taken by the Slavs from the Neretva region in the
9th century, upon which it was annexed to the Croatian state. Due
to a constant threat of the pirates, the population gradually abandoned
its coastal habitations and withdrew to the interior of the island
(Nerezisca, Donji Humac, Skrip, Gornji Humac, Podhume, Gradac, etc.).
In the 18th century Brac was under the rule of the town of Omis,
to come under the town of Split in 1240; in the 14th century Brac
acknowledged the rule of the Hungarian-Croatian king Louis I, then
the Bosnian king Tvrtko I and Duke Hrvoje Vukcic, having being granted
broad autonomy. In the period 1420-1797 Brac was under the Venetians,
who confirmed the earlier privileges of Brac. After the fall of
Venice it came under Austria (until 1806); for a short period of
time it was also the Russian marine base for the northern part of
the Adriatic, after that it was under the French rule and then until
1918 under Austria.
Some ten sanctuaries date back to the early Christian times (the
three-foil church in Sutivan, the three-nave basilica with the baptistery
in Povlja and Postira, Supetar). The first churches in pre-Romanesque
style appeared in the 10th century (St. Nicholas above Sumartin,
St. Michael above Dol); after that sacral buildings started to follow
the styles of the development of the Croatian architecture with
Romanesque features (St. George above Brac, St. Elias near Donji
Humac). The 15th century was characterized by more complex architectural
forms (a summer mansion in Bol) and the Renaissance order was applied
in the construction of the church in Postira and the Dominican church
in Bol. The Baroque-style architecture saw its best moments in the
construction of churches (skrip, Lozisca, Milna, Nerezisca). The
high level of architectural design was maintained in the 19th century
as well (Lozisca - bell tower, church in Selca). The construction
in the 20th century consisted mainly in a number of accommodation
and other tourist facilities (Bol, Supetar), including also rest
homes (Povlja, Bobovisca, Splitska).
Our recommendation:
Hotel
"Zlatni rat" - Porat bolskih pomoraca bb - HR - 21420
BOL, Island BRAC
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