Not as numerous on Brač as on neighbouring Šolta, dry stone kilns (called japnenica) used for melting limestone were an important source of income for local population and the process for producing building material – lime. Only the best dry stone builders made japnenica ovens because the structure had to withstand 6 days of continuous burning. Fire had to be able to evenly melt the whole configuration, and unobstructed burning was ensured by inbuilt air circulation slots. For 2 – 2.5 tonne capacity japnenica kiln, 600 – 800 big bundles of wood had to be provided for fuel. Quick burning vegetation was used instead of thick wood so the area around the japnenica oven was thoroughly cleared and it would take 9 -10 years to regenerate to be possible to melt again in that place. Japnenica ovens were usually built near the sea for easier transportation of lime by ships. This extremely hard job was poorly rewarded since brokers and ship owners who sold the lime in Split and other coastal cities took the biggest cut.
