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It is a magical tiny world of its own. Well, perhaps not that tiny. With the size of 395 square kilometres (1/3 larger than Malta), Brac is the second largest Croatian island and the tallest of all – a 778 m high “Vidova gora” mountain peak offers amazing views over Hvar channel towards the open sea and Italy.
A short ferry ride from Split city will take you to the main town and ferry port of Supetar even before you finish reading the morning newspaper (45 min, 4 euros single ticket). National carrier “Jadrolinija” offers 10 off-season and 16 seasonal connections to Split. High season includes catamaran lines from the towns of Bol and Milna to Split city and Hvar island.
Inhabited back from the Illyrian times, mentioned under the name of “Brattia” in the 4th century maps, this island nowadays has a population of around 15 thousand people spread in 24 different towns and villages, most of which are facing Split channel from the northern side. Traditional economic branches include livestock farming, wine and olive oil (over half a million of olive trees) production and quarries (White House in Washington was built out of its famous everlasting stone). From the Middle Age, inhabitants intensively got involved in forestry, fishery, agriculture and trade. Seaside villages and towns show envious degree of urban living culture from the 16th century and on. Tourism became important in the 70s when the infrastructure improved significantly (extensive network of roads, water and electricity supply from the mainland). Brac is the only mid/south Croatian island with an international airport and a home of probably the most famous beach on Adriatic coast – the Golden Cape.
Modern Brac is a place where one does not need to go for miles to satisfy their various needs in everyday life. You will easily find bank, post office, supermarket, petrol station, bakery, butchery, police, hospital, bus station, taxies, restaurants, bars, tourist agencies, classy hotels… well, I could go on and on. You name it, they will have it. Yet, in 5 minutes you may find yourself on a remote beach with the sound of waves in sunset, charging your batteries before returning back to your everyday routine.
This is exactly the reason why a significant number of foreigners picked up Brac island over the past few years as their second home destination. Most convenient places to live are Supetar, Splitska, Postira and Sutivan because of their proximity to the ferry. However, towns of Milna (because of its yacht marina) and Bol (a popular summer hotspot for wealthy people and windsurfers) are among the most wanted too. Although Brac was never a place for trendsetters, unlike Hvar for example, it was always visited by wealthy and famous people who appreciated the simplicity of life and natural environment. |
