Brac

BRAC is the largest island of the central Dalmatian group of islands and the third largest among the Adriatic islands. Its area is 394.57 sq km and the population is 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 is Vidova Gora (778 m).

The limestone part of the coast is rocky and steep, while the rest is slightly 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, whereas 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).

Brac was inhabited as early as the Neolithic (Kopacina Cave between the towns of 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 a 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 colonisation (Vicja Vala). The first known settlers were the Illyrians. The Roman period has also left many traces (summer mansions, tombs) not only in the inlands 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.At that time it was annexed to the Croatian state. Due to a constant threat from the pirates, the population gradually abandoned its coastal dwellings and withdrew to the interior of the island. The island came 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 the island came under Austria until 1806. In its rich history Brac also used to be also a Russian marine base for the northern part of the Adriatic, after that it was under the French rule and then until 1918 under Austria again.

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 the styles of the development of the Croatian architecture with Romanesque features were becoming more visible (St. George above Brac, St. Elias near Donji Humac). The 15th century was characterised by more complex architectural forms (a summer mansion in Bol) and the Renaissance style 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 (Lozisca, Milna, Nerezisca). The construction in the 20th century consisted mainly of a number of accommodations and other tourist facilities in Bol and Supetar, including residential areas of Povlja, Bobovisca, Splitska.

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 generally 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 landward breeze occurs quite often in the summer months, especially along the north-western coast.

A road network has been constructed throughout the island. There are ferry lines Split - Supetar, Makarska – Sumartin and ship lines with Supetar and Bol. International airport for smaller aircrafts is located above the resort town of Bol.