island
of hvar

sights

Thanks to centuries of unforgettable and amazing history, Hvar is an island full of sights.

Three kilometres to the east of Hvar Town, there is Markova spilja (cave) with some ten metre high archaeological layers from the beginning of the Early Stone Age to classical times.
Hvar fortress perched on a hill above the old town and built on the site of the medieval one in the middle of the 16th century, encloses the city walls. In 1579 it was restored after a gunpowder explosion in which it had suffered considerable damages.
Town loggia in Hvar Town is on the north side of the bottom part of the square. With a clock tower from the 15th century is the only remains of the former Governor's Palace. The Palace was already completed in the middle of the 14th century as an impressive building with four towers.

Pjaca is the town square of Hvar. It is the largest town square on the Adriatic and perhaps the most beautiful. Pjaca was erected in 1780 by filling in a deep swampy bay, and then paving it with stone slabs. In the middle of the square, in front of the cathedral, there is a large well from 1520.
The Cathedral of St Stephen in Hvar Town stands at the far end of the Pjaca. It was built on the site of an early 6th century Christian church. Present appearance the Cathedral received in the 16th and 17th century.
The exceptionally suitable maritime character of the port of Hvar determined the Arsenal - the very early building of the shore facilities and the arsenal. The building of the arsenal was started in the 13th century as a warehouse for the communal war galley.
The Franciscan monastery in Hvar Town was built in 1465. It was a hospice for sailors. Within the Franciscan monastery there are the artefacts exhibited in the monastery collection which is also the oldest on the island. It consists of paintings, manuscripts, old coins and incunabula.
St. Mary's church-fortress in Jelsa was mentioned as the church of Sv. Marija. During the course of frequent Turkish attacks and hostility, this church was fortified in 1535, and it has remained in the shape of a church-fortress up to the present day.
Our Lady of Health Church in Jelsa was built in 1535 at the top of Racic hill. The hill itself offers a beautiful view of Jelsa's valley and the Port. The church has been extended twice. The west wing and the steeple were built in 1863.
Square and church of St.John in Jelsa is one of the most harmonious and oldest parts of Jelsa. The church was built in the 15th century, and given a baroque style in the 16th century.
Tvrdalj in Stari Grad is the fortified mansion of Petar Hektorovic, the poet (1487-1572). His Tvrdalj is the central patrician building of the town. The design of the mansion was the poet's own idea.
Church of Sv. Ivan (St. John) in Stari Grad is one of the oldest and most important monuments of Stari Grad. This is the oldest cultural centre on the island; it has been in use continually from ancient times.