Falstaff Special Boutiquehotels English.pdf

dreams / BRAČ The town

dreams / BRAČ The town of Bol. The beautiful old town of Bol with its picturesque harbour is the oldest town on the island and enchants every visitor. Some hills with gnarled olive trees. Dreamy harbour towns with ancient palazzi. Lonely bays with turquoise crystal clear water. Beaches with a total length of about 170 km. Although Brač fulfills all the clichés of a picture postcard idyll, as the largest island of Dalmatia having around 200 kilometres of rocky and stony coastline to offer, it is still somewhat overshadowed by the popular neighbouring island of Hvar where celebrities from all over the world cavort. But this also has its advantages. Brač has been able to retain its original character. Instead there are pretty fishing towns with typical stone houses, small churches, Venetian style palaces, and hidden villages with stone sculptures where the 14,500 inhabitants live. Those who are looking for peace and inspiration will find it in Brač. It has always been like this. MARBLE APPEARANCE The Croatian poet Jerolim Kavanjin wrote one of the longest baroque poems in the world in his summer residence in Sutivan, and in the stonemasonry school in Pučišća amazing sculptures are still created from the white limestone which has a great resemblance to marble. That is why these white stones are often called ‘Brač marble’. Due to its beauty the stone has earned this name and the islanders are mighty proud of this mineral treasure. The White House in Washington, the Neue Burg on Vienna’s Blaca Hermit Monastery. Glagolitic monks once founded the monastery in a place which is difficult to see. Today it is a fascinating excursion destination in the hinterland. Ringstraße, the Reichstag in Berlin, the Parliament of Budapest, and the Governor’s Palace in Trieste, are just a few examples of buildings for which the stones from Brač were used. For 2000 years the stone has been quarried on the island and artistically worked. If you are on a discovery tour in the hinterland, you will always pass piles of stones by the fields or villages with white roofs. Traditionally the roofs were whitewashed with marble dust which is one of the many ancient craft techniques on the island. MOUNTAINS OF STONE For the people stones have a soul and tell their own stories. For example, Vidova Gora, the highest mountain in the Croatian archipelago at almost 780 metres, can be hiked here. It takes three hours to climb the steep path to the top. If you don’t want to do this to yourself on a hot day you can drive up the winding road and walk just a few steps from the parking lot to the summit where a breathtaking panorama awaits you. On a clear day the view stretches across the neighbouring islands to Italy, as well as the Photos: Getty Images, Christian Kerber / laif / picturedesk.com, Shutterstock, mauritius images / Alamy Stock Photos / Nino Marcutti 42

Golden Horn, the famous headland near Bol with its sandy beach. A magical place with many witch legends! Another exciting excursion leads to the Blaca hermit monastery which can be reached only on foot from the high plateau in a good hour. More comfortable is a road trip by convertible along the coastal road. With curve after curve the island reveals its beauty. Red wine experts. Saša and Magdalena Senjković not only produce excellent wine, but also pamper guests in their wine bar. DIALECT IN A GLASS There’s no hurry. Wine also takes its time. Although wine has always been produced on the island, it was only a few years ago that the local fermented grape juice made it onto the wine lists of restaurants and to the top of competitions. Footballer Saša Senjković gave up his sports career to renovate his family’s vineyards with his wife Magdalena. “We grew up here and have close ties to the land. Living on the island has taught us gratitude and > Vidova Gora. From the highest mountain of the Croatian islands trippers and hikers have a magnificent view over the sea. 43