Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

472 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

0 km

0 miles

10

10

Brač 8

175 km (109 miles) NW of
Dubrovnik. * 14,000. k @
g to Supetar from Split. Supetar
n trg P Jakšića 17, (021) 630 551.
Bol n Uz Pjacu 4, (021) 635 638.
http://www.bol.hr

The third largest island in the
Adriatic, Brač has an interest-
ing geological structure. In
some areas, the limestone
hills have sinkholes and are
cut by deep ravines and
gorges. In others a white,
hard stone prevails, which has
been quarried since ancient
times. Extensive woods cover
some parts of the island, while
other parts are cultivated.
Although Brač has always
been inhabited, it was first
ruled by Salona (see pp470–
71) and the rich Salonians
built villas and sought refuge
here when their town was
attacked by the Avars. It
was later ruled by Split (see
pp466–9). How ever, both
Split and Brač came under
Byzantine and then Venetian
rule (1420–1797).
Ferries departing from Split
on the mainland dock to the
Old Town of Supetar, which
has some good beaches.
Škrip is probably the site of
the first settlement on the
island and the presumed
birthplace of Helen, mother
of Emperor Constantine, the
first Christian Roman emperor.
The church and a painting
by Palma il Giovane (see
p474) on its main altar
are dedicated to Helen. A for-
tified house in Škrip is home
to the Brač Museum, which
displays archaeological finds
from the area.

To the southwest lies Milna,

which was founded at the

beginning of the 18th century

and faces a sheltered bay.

The exterior of the Church of

the Annunciation of Mary

(Gospa od Blagovijesti) is

Baroque, with a Rococo inte-

rior. In the centre of the

island, Nerežišća was Brac’s

main town for a long period.

The governor’s palace, the

loggia and a pedestal with the

lion of St Mark are signs of its

former status.

The major attraction at Bol,

on the southern coast, is its

famous long beach, Zlatni Rat,

meaning Golden Horn – a

triangular spit of shingle

which reaches out into the

sea and changes shape

with the seasonal

winds. It is a popular

spot for windsurfing.

A Dominican

monastery, founded

in 1475, stands on a

headland at the edge

of the village. The

beautiful church here

is decorated with

paint ings, including a

Virgin with Saints

(1563) attributed to Tintoretto.

A rich treasury includes

liturgical objects. From Bol,

visitors can make the 2-hour

climb up the 778-m (2,552-ft)

high Vidova Gora, one of the

highest peaks in the Dalmatian

islands, near which a fortified

monastery, Samostan Blaca,

clings to the rocks. In Pučišća,

to the northeast, quarrymen

can be seen at work and the

old Roman quarries can also

be visited. Similarly charming

is Sumartin, further east,

which was founded by

refugees from the coastal

region of Makarska, when

they fled the Turks in 1645.

There is a fine Franciscan

monastery, the foundations

The town of Pučišća on the island of Brač

Zlatni Rat, Bol’s famous beach which changes with the seasons

KEY

Airport

Ferry terminal

Visitor information

Beach with facilities

Peak

Major road

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp502–505 and pp506–507

Minor road

Ferry route

Nerežišća

Milna

Škrip Pučišća

Sumartin

Povlja

Maslinica Grohote Stomorska

Supetar

Selca

Bol

Vidova Gora

778 m (2,552 ft)

BRAČ

ŠOLTA

Makarska

14 km (9 miles)

Split

17 km (11 miles)

Split

18 km (11 miles)