Located in the central part of the Adriatic, the municipality of Baška Voda includes Promajna, Bratuš, Krvavica, Bast, Topići, and Baška Voda itself. It is situated 50 kilometers from Split and is highly recognizable for its Biokovo – the beautiful Nature Park that rises above it as a faithful guardian.
The clear sea and, according to many, the most beautiful long pebble beaches on the Adriatic are the main features of the coastal areas of the municipality. In the inland areas, such as Bast or Topići, we can see old stone houses that present human life in the coastal hinterland, captured by the passing of time. Today, Baška Voda is a cultural, entertainment, and tourist center not only for the Municipality but also for this part of the Adriatic.
From History to the Present
The first traces of settlement in the area of Baška Voda date back to the Early Bronze Age. The population of the Bronze Age settlement was of Indo-European origin, and from this new substratum, the Illyrians and related tribes later developed. The name Baška Voda has ancient mythological origins. Biston was the ancestor of the Thracian tribe of the Bistones, the son of Ares, the Greek god of war, and the goddess Kaliroë (also known as “Beautiful Voice”), the protector of waters.
In the late Antiquity, from the 4th to the 7th century, there was an invasion of barbarian tribes, and the population at Gradina built a fortress where they could shelter from attacks while also overseeing the entrance to the Brač Channel. The remains of settlement walls from the 5th to the 6th century are still visible at Gradina, and numerous finds of amphoras and other ceramic materials speak of trade relations with North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. Near Gradina, a significant number of graves from the ancient period were found, with many grave offerings (such as lamps, jewelry, glass vessels, figurines of Euterpe and Cupid, etc.). Besides Roman tombstones, some inscriptions feature Illyrian names, suggesting that alongside the newly arrived Roman population, there was a significant autochthonous Illyrian population. Archaeological finds in the broader area indicate the existence of several villae rusticae. In the 7th century, Slavs invaded, occupying Aronija, and it ceased to exist.
Over the next thousand years, there are no traces of urban life by the sea. Only shepherds from Bast would bring their livestock near the sea and water them at Baška Voda, a freshwater spring. It is assumed that the first buildings were erected as shelters for shepherds. The first public building was the Church of St. Lawrence, built in 1750 on the foundations of an ancient structure. With the end of pirate threats, the population returned to the coast and established modern-day Baška Voda. In addition to agriculture, the population turned to the sea, engaging in fishing and maritime activities. More buildings were constructed, and in 1889, the Church of St. Nicholas was built in the Neo-Romanesque style. The first school opened in 1845, while the post office opened in 1900. With the construction of the pier (mole) in 1912, Baška Voda became the most significant port in the area, through which intense trade occurred between the islands and the Zabiokovlje region. The first hotel in Baška Voda, Hotel Slavija, owned by the Sikavica brothers, dates back to the 1930s.
Once a settlement of peasants, fishermen, merchants, and sailors, Baška Voda has grown into a modern tourist destination with all the amenities and features of a small Mediterranean town. In addition to improving accommodation capacities, great attention is given to environmental protection and enhancing the quality of beaches and other tourist infrastructure. For several consecutive years, it has received the “Blue Flower” with a golden mark, the most prestigious tourist award in Croatia.
Culture
Culture is the entire social heritage of a group of people. Through culture, people in the same society share common behaviors and ways of thinking. Culture is inherited through society.
As in Croatia, cultural tourism is also becoming increasingly important in the Municipality of Baška Voda.
Modern tourists want to experience the local culture, interact with the local population, explore the gastronomy, attend festivals, concerts, visit museums, galleries, etc. All of this creates a unique quality of the offering. The classic motivation of cultural tourists is the desire to learn about the culture, history, and heritage of the area, which is also the dominant reason for visiting.
In the Municipality of Baška Voda, there are three main types of cultural locations:
- Cultural and historical landmarks
- Museums and galleries
- Events
Numerous associations in the Municipality of Baška Voda are active through cultural creativity, helping to raise the cultural standards. Various cultural events, manifestations, and celebrations are organized every year.
Tourism
Tourism is defined as one of the most important activities in coastal areas, and this is also true for the Municipality of Baška Voda.
Crystal-clear and warm sea, a well-preserved environment, and a favorable geographical position on the Adriatic coast, in the heart of Dalmatia, make Baška Voda an ideal place to live and vacation.
Baška Voda is considered one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Croatia, especially in the summer months. This title is owed to the combination of natural beauty and the hospitality of the people.
Beaches are one of Croatia’s most important tourist resources, and in the Municipality of Baška Voda, there is a chain of almost 5 km of pebbly beaches, covering an area of 8 km² of clean sea, for swimmers and recreationalists who can enjoy diving, sailing, or paragliding. For sports enthusiasts, the nearby Biokovo mountain offers opportunities for hiking, free climbing, and cycling. The rich history of Baška Voda, with its numerous finds, will captivate visitors eager for culture, who can also visit local museums and enjoy the diverse program of the “Baškovoško Summer,” which symbolically marks the beginning and end of the tourist season, with numerous concerts, parties, and other events.
Baška Voda also offers a wide variety of excursions to nearby islands, cities, and national parks. At night, the place comes alive. The beaches transform into bars and nightclubs filled with people who party until the early hours, while numerous restaurants offer their delicacies to those seeking gastronomic enjoyment. The streets are filled with people enjoying walks along the promenade, accompanied by the sounds of various street performers, often including traditional Dalmatian a cappella music (klapa). Tourism is the main activity in Baška Voda, offering visitors a wide range of activities and ways to relax, with friendly service. Baška Voda has managed to preserve all the charms of a small Dalmatian town while promoting tourism on a mass scale. The Municipality of Baška Voda accounts for 1.3% of the total tourism in the Republic of Croatia.
