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About Island Brac



The island Brač is located between town Split and island Hvar. It is situated only 7 miles away from Split and it has daily ship connections with the mainland. In the vincinity of Vidova gora (778 m above sea level), the highest peak on the island Brač and the highest peak of all Adriatic islands, there is the airport Brač.

With its area (394,6 km2) island Brač is the third Adriatic island regarding its size. The forth of its area is covered with forests and the rest of area is covered with karst fields (mainly olives groves and vineyards) as well as with Mediterranean plants (macchia).

Since it belongs to the area of Mediterranean climate with short and mild winters, and long and sunny summers, Brač is very convenient both for winter and summer tourism. Guests who visit the island enjoy in its clean air, beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage, various sports and cultural events as well as in its clean sea and the sun.


Highlights


DESERT BLACA

Desert Blaca is situated on the west side of the mountain Vidova gora. It can be reached only by macadam road (around 6 km) and walking path (around 30 min. walk). Blaca has great cultural, scientific and architectural importance, not only for the island Brač then for the whole of Dalmatia. Desert Blaca is actually an eremitial monastery which was founded by the glagolitic priests from the mainland who escaped the Turks around year 1550. After the permission of the island authorities to settle down on this area, throughout the centuries this simple cave shelter of Ljubitovica became monastic and economic complex of great importance. The priests lived independently over 400 years till 1963 when the last priest died and the monastery turned into a museum. Monastery Blaca was built in an interesting position hidden between high cliffs of the canyon and this gives it a misterious charm. Within the monastery there is a church, then a school for children, a library with nearly 8000 books on 5 languages, an astronomical observatory etc. The monastery of Blaca will surely surprise you with its beauty and history, so don’t miss to visit this exceptional locality.

DRAGON’S CAVE

Zmajeva špilja (Dragon’s cave) is situated on the south side of the island, underneath the cliffs of Vidova gora and over the village of Murvica. It can be reached by the picturesque walking path (around 40 min. walk). The historians didn’t exactly establish when or who made this rare monument, but its cultural and artistic (and secret!) value is not in question. Inside the cave there are many reliefs of figures from the Slavic mitology and Christianity made in the very stone of the cave. The dominant figure is one with the dragon and the cave was named after it. The eremites who lived here long time ago probably enjoyed beautiful nature and the panoramic view as well as todays visitors who are coming to see this misterious cave. Nearby there are several abandoned monasteries which are also worth to visit.

REGIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ISLAND – ŠKRIP

Škrip is the oldest settlement on the island of Brač. Set on the top of the hill, with its belfry, church facade and huge towers it appears like a town lost in this stony area by coincidence. Škrip is a town-monument in which Illyrians, Romans and Croatians deposited their ethnic layers, as the evidence of their presence. It is the whole of Brač in itself and it represents a very heart of the authentic island. In Škrip, there is the Regional Museum of the island with its rich collection from Roman time, late antiquity and early medieval monuments and sculptures as well as interesting ethnographic collection.

SCHOOL FOR STONE-CUTTERS – PUČIŠĆA

On the island Brač which is an everlasting source of white stone, the tradition of stone-cutting dates back to the time of Romans. From this famous stone were built some of the world well-known buildings (the Diocletian’s palace in Split, the White house in Washington, the Parliament in Budapest, the Reichstag in Berlin etc.) This old tradition continues even today, especially in the town of Pučišća where exists an unique school for stone-cutters (the only one in this part of Europe). In this school young people learn, like their ancestors, how to do this difficult job.

Blaca teleskopVIDOVA GORA

“The continent of Brač” is an exceptional island because of the Vidova gora mountain which is the highest peak of all Adriatic islands (778 m). The very top of the mountain can be reached by a car, and from the top spreads a breathless view on the slope of the south side of the island, the town of Bol and the famous beach Golden Cape (Zlatni rat) as well as on the islands of Middle Dalmatia. At high visibility even the Italian coast may be seen. Vidova gora hides many wonders of nature: from the dense forest of authentic black pine trees (Pinus niger Dalmatica) and its rich herbal and animal world to numerous caves and pits.

DOMINICAN MONASTERY – BOL

Dominican monastery in the town of Bol is, beside the Franciscan monastery in Sumartin, the only one on the island who survived untill now. It was founded at the end of the 15th century when there was no more danger of the pirates from the town of Omiš. This monastery partly helped the town of Bol to divelope itself. It is situated on the very east of the town and with its belfry and its church gives Bol a special charm. Within the monastery there is a botanical garden as well as the museum of island antiquities: archeological collection from various times, original manuscripts, church books and objects, numismatic collection, valued pictures from 15th to 18th century etc. The most valued picture is one from the late Renaissance made by the great Venice painter Tintoretto.


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
HISTORY OF ISLAND BRAC


The island of Brač, whose protector is St. George, has a very rich history. The evidence of life existence dates back even to the stone-ages (3000 B. C.). In the 4th century B.C. the island was settled by the Illyrian tribe Delmata after whom was Dalmatia named.

Greek colonization was not present like on the other islands, but in the Roman time were formed many Roman settlements (villa rustica), thanks to the exploitation of the well known stone. From this white stone was built the Diocletian’s palace in the town of Split.

In the 7th century came Croats and, after their Christianization, life on the island became more dynamic. Venice had big influence on the island because it ruled almost 4 centuries. The danger of the Turks on the mainland was the reason that Brač had more and more immigrants. In the time of French ruling, thanks to the numerous reforms, life on the island became better for its habitants, and then in the time of Austrian Habsburg monarchy in the 19th century important settlements on the island were connected by roads.
In that time Brač became known for its quality wine which was exported around Europe.

In the biggining of the 20th century vineyards were slowly distroyed by the disease and this was the reason for a massive emigration to oversea countries, especially to Chile. In the 1st and in the 2nd World War the life on the island was very difficult. After liberation from the fascism island Brač became part of the socialistic Yugoslavia. From 1991. island Brač is part of the independent Republic of Croatia.