Brac

The area of ​​the island is 394.57 km², length - 40 km, width - 12 km. The coastline is 175.1 km ^[1] . The island of Brac is the third largest on the Croatian Adriatic after the islands of Krk and Cres and the third in terms of the population after Krk and Korcula . On Brac is the highest peak of the Croatian islands - Vidova gora (elevation 780 m).

The island’s population is 14,031 (2001). The largest settlements are the cities of Supetar (population - 3889), Pučischa (Pučišća), Bol (Bol), Sutivan (Sutivan), Sumartin (Sumartin), Selca (Selca), etc. Supetar is located in the northern part of the island opposite Split , Puchischa in the north-east, Bol on the south coast, Sutivan on the north-west, and Sumartin and Selca on the east.

From the neighboring islands, Brac is separated by sea straits: from Fr. Hvar - Hvar channel, from about. Solta - by the Strait of Split, and from the coast - the Brac Canal. The island is connected to the mainland by the ferry lines Supetar - Split and Sumartin - Makarska . From Bol to Jelsa on about. Hvar walks a passenger hydrofoil boat.

As the excavations in the caves near Supetar show, the island has been inhabited since the Neolithic times. Like other Adriatic islands, on Brac in the 4th century BC. er Greek settlements were founded. In the III century BC. er Brac along with all Illyria came under the control of Rome .

In the 8th century , Slavic tribes came to the island, like the rest of the Dalmatian coast. For a long time the island was under the control of local princes from Omis and Split, only in the XIV century the island recognized the power of the Hungarian kingdom , with which Croatia was united by a dynastic union. However, soon the island again came under the control of local princes, until finally, in 1420, together with other Dalmatian islands, it finally did not come under the control of the Venetians .

After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, the Austrians came to the island. They were driven from the island by Napoleon's troops in 1806 . In 1807, Brac was occupied by the Ushakov fleet during the Mediterranean expedition. At the end of the war in 1815, the island, along with the Dalmatian coast, again departed Austria.

In 1918 - 1921 the Italians occupied the island, after the First World War it became part of Yugoslavia . After the collapse of the latter in 1990, the island became part of independent Croatia .

Brac Island is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, sandy and pebble beaches, pine groves and beautiful landscapes, which makes it an attractive resort. A special glory to the island was brought to the quarries not far from the town of Puchisce, where white “Brac stone”, a special snow-white limestone , is mined . Many famous buildings around the world are lined with Brac stone, among others - the Palace of Diocletian in Split and the White House in Washington . Craftsman’s stone also makes crafts serving tourists as souvenirs. The main occupation of the local population is tourism service, fishing, viticulture, olive oil production, extraction and processing of Brac stone.

• Supetar is the largest city of Brac. Near the city is the museum village of Shkrip with old houses.
• Bol - a popular resort, which lies at the foot of the Species Mountains. Near Bol is located Cape Zlatni Rat with its famous beaches, and also known for changing its shape depending on the winds and currents.

• Brac // Encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron : in 86 tons (82 tons and 4 extra). - SPb. , 1890-1907.

• Island's website (Croatian)