• About the island Hvar and city of Stari Grad

The island Hvar is one of the most beautiful islands in the south of Dalmatia. With 2700 hours per year it is the island with the most sun in middle Europe. In May 1997 Hvar was listed in the American travel guide Journal Traveler as one of the 10 most beautiful islands of the world, (among Anguilla, Bali, Bora Bora,  Capri...).

 

 

 

  • Some basic information

     

    • Area: 69 km2

    • Highest peak: Sv. Nikola, 628m

    • Lenght of coastline: 254 km

    • Population: 12.000

     

    Actual weather in Croatia

    (click on image)

      Temperatures

    • Annual average air temperature 16,4oC

    • Average air temperature in July 25,3oC

    • Average air temperature in January 8,8oC

    • Average sea temperature in July-August 24oC

    The climate on Hvar is characterized by warm and dry summers and mild winters.  

    Rich with pine tree forests and Mediterranean plants such as lavender and rosemary , freshen with summer winds, the island Hvar is even in the hottest summer days a rare spot in Dalmatia with fresh air and pleasant nights. Because of its position the island is a perfect starting place for trips.

click on image to enlarge

 

  • A bit of history
    In the 4th century Hvar was known as the colony of Pharos, originated in the bay of Stari Grad.

Hvar, the largest settlement of the island is a charming town, where the vibrant life streams through the old, narrow streets and squares. A lot of artists feel attracted and inspired by the lively and romantic flair.
Hvar is an administrative and tourist center, a popular spot for excursions and a famous harbor for cruisers.

 

The city of Hvar (click on image to enlarge)

Hvar's famous main square was built in 1575 under Venetian architectural influence and is known as the largest and most beautiful of whole Dalmatia. Old facades, the church San Marco, the old bell tower, the St. Stephans Cathedral and the ruins of the gorgeous old Gothic Palace are surrounding it.

Harbor of Hvar

A passage in the inner city

The ancient fort

click on image to enlarge

 

  • The city of Stari Grad

Stari Grad is located at the end of a four nautical mile long bay on the northern side of the island of Hvar. This oldest town on the island was founded by the ancient Greeks in 385/384 BC as an independent polis of Pharos.

The surrounding fields used to provide sustenance for population and the bay provided protection. Today, both the fields and the bay add an attractive quality to the medieval city.

The Greek town remained buried under Stari Grad as it is today and only some fragmental architectural remains indicate its original lay-out, such as some parts of the 11 meter long Greek Walls, the so-called Cyclopean Walls, in the Tadic-Gramatorovic wine cellar. These walls are a part of the north city wall, while the east walls are just visible behind the church of  Sv. Ivan (St. John). The stone blocks from the city walls were incorporated into the foundations of the bell tower. It indicates that this was the very place where the main entrance of the town was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The inner city of Stari Grad

The Roman town grew up around the perimeter of the Greek one. Thus, there are two preserved Roman mosaics under the pavement in the present-day Sridnja ulica (Middle Street), and there was a Roman bath under the church of Sv. Roko.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    The House of Petar Hektorovic                The square of Škor in Stari Grad    

Although the majority of the buildings were built in the 16th and 17th century, the Renaissance and Baroque style are dominant in the city centre, there are many buildings with Romanesque and Gothic traces.

 

  • Practical Matters

The local currency is Kuna (1 € = 7,11 Kuna). There are 2 ATM machines (cash dispenser) in the center of Stari Grad that accept all major credit cards and bank cards (e.g. Maestro). Besides, there is a number of exchange offices with long opening times during the season. All supermarkets, major shops and restaurants on the island accept credit cards.

Map of Stari Grad (click to enlarge)

Public transport is well organized with bus lines connecting all cities and villages on the island.

There is a first-aid station and a pharmacy in Stari Grad.

For more general information on Croatia please visit the site of the Croatian Tourist Board http://www.croatia.hr.

 

Stari Grad, Otok Hvar, Croatia

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