Holidays to Stari Grad

Stari Grad is the island’s oldest settlement and was founded in 385 BC by Greeks from the Aegean island of Paros who called it Pharos. Invading Venetians then shifted the centre of power to the west coast port of today’s Hvar Town which they rebuilt in the early 1600s. There is a very different feel here from the more famous island capital of Hvar Town - it is much more laid-back with no clubbing scene as exists in Hvar Town.

At the eastern end of the old town, St Stephen’s Church is a rather charming yet weatherbeaten example of Dalmatian Baroque style with a fine Venetian campanile.

Something opposite the church often bemuses visitors - embedded in a wall is a Roman-era gravestone with a relief of a Winged Eros leaning casually on an upside-down torch, apparently a classic symbol of death.

Stari Grad’s most famous attraction and not to be missed, is the Tvrdalj often just called Peter Hektorovic’s house. This was the summer house of the 16th century poet and aristocrat. He was famous for his writings about fish and the sea so it was fitting that the design, in addition to a beautiful garden and arched cloister, features a fishpond with direct access to the sea and fed with sea water. The property is located just back from the waterfront, around a four minute stroll from the centre, passing some nice local wine bars and tasting spots on the way.

The maze of narrow alleys, small patios and streets seem to twist and turn yet it is impossible to get lost as everything ends in the main square near the waterfront.

Beaches near Stari Grad are mainly pebble or rocky and the best known one is Oslic beach, a combination of man-made and pebbles and perched at the end of town.

Did you know?

• Prices in restaurants and bars in Stari Grad often represent savings of around 30% over their equivalent in Hvar Town
• Stari Grad Plain has UNESCO Heritage status. This unique plain remains almost untouched from 384 BC when the Ancient Greeks created a geometrical system of land division featuring ancient stone walls and shelters
• The Dominican Monastery has a museum and an impressive collection of paintings including original works by Jacopo Tintoretto
• Day trip fish picnics offer a good way to see some of the island from the sea and usually visit Bol on the neighbouring island of Brac with its famous Zlatni Rat beach.
• Visitors choosing Stari Grad in May-June or from mid September to the end of October will usually enjoy sunny weather with far fewer crowds
• Film location scouts are regularly spotted checking out places in the old town’s narrow streets