BASKA VODA, a town and harbour on the Makarska littoral, 9.5 km northwest of Makarska; population 1,609. Economy is based on farming, fishing and tourism. Chief crops include olives, vines, sour cherries and figs. Forests and pebble beaches favoured an intensive development of tourism. The sea depth along the pier in the harbour reaches 7-11 m. Baska Voda is located on the main road, so-called Adriatic Highway (M2, E65) Split - Dubrovnik.

The area was populated as early as antique times. On a plateau called Gradina, traces of a habitation and a late antique Byzantine fortification, perhaps Biston, have been found. On the southern side of the plateau, part of the fortification walls has been preserved, while several stelae from the 2nd to the 4th centuries have been found (now kept at the Archaeological Museum in Split). The late Baroque church of St. Lawrence was most probably built on an ancient locality. The parish church of St. Nicholas was built at the beginning of the 20th century; in 1991 a bell tower and the parsonage were added (Ante Rozic). The church features stained-glass windows by Josip Botteri-Dini and the paintings of the Way of the Cross by Josip Biffel (1989).

Baska Voda used to be a fishermen's, farmers' and merchants' settlement. Today it is a modern tourist centre, offering clear sea, beautiful beaches with pine woods, high quality hotels and excellent restaurants. Fresh air from Biokovo Mountain adds to the charm of this region.

The first tourist facility in Baska Voda was opened by the Sikavica brothers in the thirties; it was Hotel Slavija, which was in 1936 awarded with a medal from London. After the Second World War, new hotels we-re built, tourism got much incentive and has rece-ntly become the major economic sector in Baska Voda.

Today, apart from the sea and the sun, bathing and pleasant walks, historical monuments and a museum, Baska Voda offers attractive cultural and entertainment programs. Very interesting are religious feasts - especially the Good Friday procession (which proceeds through all villages in the municipality, 15 km), St. Nicholas' Day (patron of Baska Voda, 6th of December). The festival of harmony-singing groups of the Makarska littoral is held on St. Lawrence's Day (10th of August).

Visitor opportunities include various sports and recreational activities (tennis, football, handball, table tennis, miniature golf, fishing, hiking, etc.). Entertainment opportunities in the evening and night hours include various programs in bars, discotheques and on summer terraces. A number of restaurants and inns offer local specialities. Attractive excursions are also organized.

Interesting are walks in the region under Biokovo Mountain, to the hamlets of Bast and Topici, famous for home-made cheese, prosciutto and home-made bread ("ispod peke"). Easy trails are those leading to Promajna and the fishermen's hamlet of Bratus, a fine example of profane architecture.