HVAR (HR)
The island of Hvar is the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian islands. It has been famous since the antique because of its important strategic and nautical position, the rich of the various historical periods, the culture and natural monuments and the literature.Lately, the worldwide celebrities are going there to see what is it about. And what is Hvar really about? Hvar has celebrated 140 years of organised tourism, and today it is considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world.

Whatever you are looking for on your vacation, you may find it there; night life and cultural attractions of cosmopolitan Hvar town, boat excursions to Pakleni Islands, sandy beaches near Jelsa, the ancient town Stari Grad in which past centuries mingle with modern tourist facilities Also in the island of Hvar, you can find vast fields of lavender, ancient olive trees and vineyards, in immaculate harmony between man and nature. There are wine and olives, so a guest wishing to get closer to nature will stop at a small inn (Hvar “konoba”) rather than a top quality restaurant.

HVAR’s HISTORY
Stari Grad (Pharos) which located on the island of Hvar, is the oldest town in Croatia. The same year – 384 b.c. when Greek philoshoper Aristotel was born in Trakia, the greeks from the island of Paros in Agean sea have settled the town on the island of Hvar, and named it Pharos. Stari Grad (eng. “old town”) is historical heart of the island of Hvar. The town is situated in a landscape where the blue of the deep bay touches the green of the wide an famous field of Pharos, with vineyards and olive-groves. The fields used to provide sustenance and the bay provided protection.

Because of its position in the middle of the Hvar island, for centuries Stari Grad was a safe harbour to sailors, which have been welcomed by town inhabitants on harbour promenade. Stari Grad bay is still regulary visited by most of the travellers on boats passing trough middle Dalmatia.

MY OPINION
I had heard and studied about this island, so when I organized my trip to Croatia, I included it in my schedule. But to be honest, I didn’t know exactly what I would meet and see, on an island in Croatia. I had already visited most of the Mediterranean islands, in Greece, Italy and Spain, after all, my origin is from a Mediterranean island and exploring and getting to know Hvar was something I was looking forward to.

My first impression upon arriving in Hvar was that it reminded me of Greece, specifically the Eptanisa. After all, the Ionian Islands are not far from the Adriatic Sea. Hvar was developed and promoted by Greeks who colonized it in 384 BC. and who had gone there leaving the island of Paros and it seems that they finally left their stamp on the island.

A truly beautiful island that smells of the Mediterranean everywhere and is without a doubt worth visiting. Spend two or three days there to enjoy its unique beaches, its narrow picturesque streets, a huge unique and beautiful square, but also its nightlife. The island’s excellent food will reward you.

MUST SEE – ​St. Stephen’s Square
​Running from St. Stephen’s Cathedral down to the harbour, Hvar Town’s “pjaca” (central plaza) is the largest in Dalmatia, at 4,500 square metres. Long and with an irregular shape, the square is the centre of Hvar’s social world, with cafes and restaurants that spill out onto the polished flagstones in summer. The square was once part of the bay, but some clever engineering helped to level out the land during the 18th century when it was also fully paved. If you visit outside the holiday season it’s a tranquil place to sip a cup of coffee with the locals and admire the 16th-century fountain here.

PLACES TO VISIT:
1. Spanjola Fortress 

Head up from Hvar Town’s main square, passing through the Porta di Datallo, you can ascend the steep stairway to this Venetian fortress from the 1500s. It’s in very good shape considering its age, with walls, towers and tunnels to check out. On the battlements you can look through the canon embrasures for an unbroken view of Hvar Town and the framed by the Adriatic and Pakleni islands. Inside the castle there are displays of historic artefacts, among which are ancient amphorae from an earlier Bronze Age stronghold on this spot.

2. Parkleni Islands

You could get a water taxi to this peaceful and uninhabited archipelago off Hvar’s southwest coast, but if you’d like a bit more freedom it might be worth renting a motorboat for the day. Every few minutes you’ll want to stop and take in the views or dive into those inviting and serene waters. Some of the beaches like Palmizana have beach bars, so you’ll have the chance to stop off to stock up on food and drink. The rest of the time you can spend discovering unfrequented coves or going ashore for a stroll in perfect seclusion.

3. Hvar’s Loggia

An opulent piece of renaissance architecture, Hvar’s Loggia was once part of the Venetian governor’s palace. Its current design is from the high renaissance, but there had been a palace on this spot going back to at least the 1300s. The palace was originally much larger, but took severe damage during an attack by the Ottomans in the late-1500s. The clock tower is a later addition, dating to the 1800s, replacing one that had been destroyed by the Turks several hundred years before.

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