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 Baska Voda
Crystal-clear and warm sea, well preserved natural environment and magnificent geographical position, in the heart of Dalmatia on the Adriatic coast, make Baška Voda ideal tourist destination. Confirmation of this statement could be found in traces of life dated more than three thousand years ago. In 1840 well known medical expert from Venice A. A Frari wrote that Baška Voda was the place where everything exudes life and vigour so much as to make a dying man rise on his feet again." First evidence of settlement on this area dates from early Bronze Age (1700 - 1500 BC). During that period walled settlements with wooden lodgings plastered with mud were formed on the site of nearby Bast and on the hillock Gradina in Baška Voda. The inhabitants of that period were of Indo-European origin and later on this area was taken over by Illyrians and akin tribes. When those regions were a part of Roman Empire (II and III century BC) the settlement was formed traces of which were found on hillock Gradina. Its centre was probably formed on the place of today's Baška Voda. With present-day Bast and Baška Voda, the majority of historians (W. Tomaschek, K. Patsch, P. Skok, F. Buliæ) associate ancient town called Biston which used to be situated between well known towns of Narona and Salona. The name has mythical origin. Biston was a grat great father of Thracian tribe of Bistonians, the son of God Mars and Goddess Kallirhoe (Beautifully Flowing). Symbols of God Mars (defensive fortification) and Goddess Kallihroe (water springs, and lake with clear, fresh water that used to spread in the centre of today's Baška Voda) can be found in a small area. Many tombstones from ancient times were found but only a few were preserved while most of them were destroyed during construction works. Some tombstones have Illyrian names engraved, so it can be concluded that newly-arrived Romans and old Illyrians were living together. At the end of 4th century Roman Empire was intensively under attacks of barbarian tribes. They were constant danger for the population that lived on this territory. Therefore towns improve and reinforce their defensive fortifications and smaller settlements take higher positions which were more suitable for defence. So, during 5th and 6th century stone walls in Gradina were intensively built.
Passing through Braè Channel was controlled from the fort. Many pieces of ceramics originally from North Africa show orientation to the sea. Life at Gradina stopped when Croats came in 7th century. After 7th century throughout the following thousand years there are no traces of urban living by the sea. All the activities were moved at the foot of Mt. Biokovo. Fresh water springs were used for watering the cattle and it can be assumed that first buildings built during 17th century were shelters for Shepard’s. First public building was St. Lawrence's Chapel from 1750.
When the risk of pirates' attack ceased local population returned on the coast and built new Baška Voda. The population starts developing tradition in agriculture, fishing and sailing. Many buildings were built including St. Nicholaus Church in 1889.
After the harbour was constructed in 1912 Baška Voda became the most important harbour in this area through which intensive trade between islands and Biokovo area took place. In the 1930s first hotel was built. It was hotel Slavija owned by Sikavica family. In 1933 society which takes care of Baška Voda appearance was established. What once used to be a town of farmers, fishermen, merchants and seamen now is a modern settlement with all characteristics of small Mediterranean town. Intensive development started in 1968 when the "Magistrala" (motorway along the Adriatic coast) was built. Comfortable hotels were built, the camp was open and more and more private houses were engaged in tourism. Tourism here reached it's peak in 1980s. After the Serbian aggression and after the war ended Baška Voda improved its facilities, many private houses and hotel capacities were renewed and new ones are of higher rating. Besides improvements in accommodation, special attention is paid to environment, quality of the beaches and entire tourist infrastructure.
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