Donji Humac
Donji Humac is one of the oldest settlements on the Croatian island of Brač, located on an inland hill. The top of the hill is marked by a widely visible baroque bell-tower. The nearby Kopačina cave has been inhabited more than 13,200 years ago. As of the 2011 census, Donji Humac has a population of 177 - far below its largest extent at the beginning of the 20th century with more than 500 people, before several waves of emigration depopulated the settlement.
Donji Humac | |
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Church of Saint Fabian and Sebastian in Donji Humac | |
Donji Humac Location of Donji Humac in Croatia | |
| Coordinates: 43°20′N 16°34′E | |
| Country | Croatia |
| County | Split-Dalmatia |
| Island | Brač |
| Municipality | Nerežišća |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.6 km2 (2.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 313 m (1,027 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 173 |
| • Density | 23/km2 (59/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 21 423 |
| Area code | 021 |
| Licence plate | ST |
The village is about one kilometre north-west of Nerežišća, and linked to Supetar, the largest city of Brač and its frequent ferries to Split, through a paved 6 km road northwards, mostly following state road D113. A county road (Ž6188) leads westwards to Dračevica, about 2.4 kilometres away.
To the south and west of the settlement are fertile fields, where traces of pre-Croatian habitation have been found. Some of these traces, such as Roman ornaments, have been incorporated into the houses of the settlement, such as the homes of the Dragičević and Laurić families.
Donji Humac is surrounded by a number of quarries. The local stone has given the settlement its distinct look very early on, and many of the old elements of the settlement are still preserved. The closeness to the quarries had also led to a tradition of artistic stonemasons in the village, which is carried on until present. In 1996, an international meeting of stonemasons lead to the creation of a number of monuments which are now spread throughout the settlement. Besides stone, the main sources of income have traditionally been wine, olives, cherries, sheep husbandry, and hunting, and more recently, tourism.