History of Hvar

History of Hvar


The rich history of Hvar gave to the city a fascinating present that leaves breathless each visitor.
The Public squares, the Palaces, the Churches, the Convents, the Coats of arms and their history have created presupposed for tourist development of the city and the reputation of a fashionable resort where everybody would like to spend some days in summer.
The following of the various dominations (Roman, Nerentani, Venetians, Byzantines…) finds testimony in the architectonic and cultural styles.

Approaching Hvar the ship grazes Pakleni islands archipelago, sheltered by the port of the city, famous in history like obliged stage on the routes from Venice towards the East.
The city jewel is dominated from the Fortress.
The Fortress, with its wall going back to century XIII has been enriched and reconstructed during the years; the present building is the result of the definitive intervention of century XVIII.

Visiting the city we are strucked by the largest Public square of Dalmatia.
At the beginning of century XVI the Loggia has been conceived by the Arch. Michele Sammicheli. Near to the Loggia there was the Palace of Prince, destroyed in the century XIX. The remains are on the modern Palace Hotel.
At the entrance of the square, side parking, there is the S. Stephen Cathedral, built in the century XVI on the previous basilica foundations. The Bell tower dates back to the century XVII.
Near to the Cathedral there is the Episcopal Palace, centre of   Brac, Hvar and Vis Dioceses.
At the opposite extremity of the square, faced on the sea, there is the Arsenal, built in the century XVI, and over it the older communal theatre of Europe has been realized, going back to 1612, rebuilt at the end of the century XIX.

In the southern part of the old city walls, the Palaces Hektorović, Grgurić, Lužić and Vukašinović catch the eye; here the different styles’ architectonic ornaments can be found.
There are two monasteries: the Franciscan and the Benedictine one.
The ancient Dominican monastery has been destroyed in the century XIX: the Bell tower and the remains of the S. Mark Church is all that still stands.
In the old city many small Churches can be found; two of these still stands today with the respective confraternities that can be seen in the Hvar typical Easter procession Today Hvar, besides its monuments offers to visitors its treasures:

  • Unpolluted sea, unpolluted beaches and a climate that takes care of health;
  • The fashionable life of the coffees and many pubs and meeting places;
  • Concerts, cultural and sportive events.

Magnified from local and foreign poets and artists, Hvar represents a fascinating mix of history, culture and social life.

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