BOL, a town and harbour on
the southern side of the island of Brac, at the foot of Vidova Gora (778
m) and Dratevo Brdo (627 m), in a fertile field with permanent sources of
potable water; population 1,478. The name originates from the Latin word
vallum: an earth fortification with palisades. Economy is based on
farming, viticulture (Bol houses a wine cellar with a capacity of 150
wagons), fishing (salting of anchovies) and tourism. Sand and pebble
beaches (Zlatni Rat, etc.) stretch in the total length of some 15 km (from
the Martinica Cove in the east to the Blaca Cove in the west). The
southern coast of the island (west of the Konjska Cove) offers excellent
opportunities for underwater fishing. Bol is located on a regional road. A
steep hiking trail leads from Bol to the vista point on Vidova Gora (Vitus'
Mount). About 5 km west of Bol is the village of Murvica, above which is a
deserted monastery with a cave church.
Situated in a secluded place, on the southern coast of Brac, Bol is the
oldest town of Brac and one of the most famous seaside resorts of the
Adriatic. Apart from cultural monuments, Bol also features a number of
natural beauties. East and west of Bol are numerous shores, beautiful
beaches; the most famous - and probably the most beautiful on the Adriatic
- is Zlatni Rat. This pebble cape is a unique phenomenon - it stretches
into the open sea in the shape of a tongue, with its tip changing the form
and moving to one and another side, according to the direction of winds
and waves. A story has it that this is the only beach in the world that
runs vertical to the coast. Above Bol is the mountain range of Bolska
Kruna (Bol Crown), the Illyrian hill-fort Kostilo and Vidova Gora (778 m),
the highest peak of the Adriatic islands.
Bol has a years-long tradition in tourism. The Society for Beautification
of Bol and Tourist Traffic was established here in the 1920s. The
construction of the first accommodation facilities started in 1963, to
experience a rapid development during the seventies. Today Bol offers a
number of modern, high-class hotels, hotel villages and apartments.
Numerous restaurants in the town offer specialities of local and
international cuisine and exquisite wines of Brac (the famous "Bolski
Plavac"). Bol also offers many cultural and entertainment programs.
The most important event is the folk feast of Our Lady of the Snows (5th
of August), in commemoration of the day when, a legend has it, it was
snowing here; it is also the day of the Bol municipality.
To those who are keen on sports and recreation Bol offers 25 tennis
courts, the central court having 1,820 seats. This is also the venue of
top-class tennis tournaments (WTA Croatian Bol Ladies Open). Other sports
opportunities include windsurfing, water sports, boccia, bowling, indoor
football, basketball, volleyball. Diving, underwater fishing and
hang-gliding (from Vidova Gora) are also organized.
Bol lies only 15 km from an international airport for small aircraft and
has very good communications with major European cities. Connections with
Split are provided by means of fast boats and a ferry line via Supetar.
Bol
Bol
Bol - near center
Bol - beach near monastery
Bol - beach near monastery
