Brac

Brac, also written Brač, is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, belonging to Split-Dalmatia County. It covers about 396 square kilometers and is home to roughly 14,000 residents. The island’s highest point is Vidova Gora, at 778 meters, and its northwest coast includes the town of Supetar, which serves as the main ferry port and administrative center.

Geographically, Brac lies off the central Dalmatian coast, between the islands of Hvar and Šolta. It is renowned for its white limestone, quarried most notably in Pučišća, a material that has historically been used in regional architecture and in major projects such as Diocletian’s Palace in Split. The island also features popular tourist destinations, including the sandy or pebbly Zlatni Rat beach near Bol, which is famous for its horn-shaped stretch that shifts with sea currents and wind.

Historically, Brac has been inhabited since antiquity, with Illyrian tribes and later Roman-era presence. In the medieval period it came under Croatian and then Venetian influence, followed by Austro-Hungarian rule. In the 20th century it was part of Yugoslavia and has formed part of independent Croatia since 1991.

Economy and culture on Brac are dominated by tourism, complemented by traditional activities such as olive growing, wine production, and stone quarrying. The towns of Supetar (the ferry hub), Bol, and Pučišća are important centers. Pučišća is notable for its limestone quarries and a renowned stone masonry school, reflecting the island’s long-standing connection to stonework. Brac remains a popular destination for travelers seeking coastal scenery, historic architecture, and quarry-produced stone heritage.