 | |
  Zlatni Rat | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Adriatic Sea |
| Coordinates | 43°15′21″N16°38′02″E / 43.25583°N 16.6338°E /43.25583; 16.6338 |
| Administration | |
| County | Split-Dalmatia County |
TheZlatni Rat, often referred to as theGolden Cape orGolden Horn (translated from the localChakavian dialect), is aspit of land located about 2 kilometres (1 mile) west from the harbour town ofBol on the southern coast of theCroatian island ofBrač, in the region ofDalmatia. It extends southward into theHvar Channel, a body of water in theAdriatic Sea between the islands of Brač andHvar, which is home to strong currents. Thelandform itself is mostly composed of a white pebble beach, with aMediterranean pine grove taking up the remainder.
Zlatni Rat has been regularly listed as one of the top beaches in Europe[1] and in the World.[2] Its distinctive shape can be seen in many travel brochures, which made it one of the symbols of Croatian tourism.[3] In 2008 Red Bull organizedRed Bull Golden Jump, a unique kiteboarding competition in jumping/flying over the beach.[4]
The beaches on either side of the spit, measured in 2015 east side was 377 metres (1,237 ft) and the west side was 479 metres (1,572 ft) long, but the exact shape and length of the landform varies with regard to changes in tide, current, waves and wind. The spit points directly south. The farthest end, which is usually turned slightly toward the east, will often shift to the west in certain weather conditions, esp. a strong south-easterly wind known in Croatia as theJugo. Changes in the shape of the beach occur mostly from autumn to spring during strong winds and currents. In summer the spit is either straight or turned to east due to daily afternoon west thermic windMaestral. During extreme weather with stormy winds and waves, the top can shift from one side to the other in a matter of hours. The promontory is protected as a geomorphological phenomenon.[5][6][7][8]
The sea is normally warmer on the west side, contrary to that side being the windy/wavy side on most afternoons. The current on the top can be mildly hazardous for swimmers who venture far southward from the tip toward the open sea, as it could be difficult to swim back west toward the beach (the swimmer being well over 150 metres (500 ft) from the coast); the danger is not severe, however, as the standard current would carry the swimmer back east toward the harbor ofBol (and the beaches on thepromontory of land that lies between Zlatni Rat and the town). A reliable afternoon westerly wind known as aMaestral has made the beach a destination forwindsurfers.[9]
The pine tree grove that borders the beach is home to the remnants of a Romanvilla rustica, which included a swimming pool. The westernmost edge of the beach, and several coves to the west of the main beach, are traditionallyclothing-optional.
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