Page 134 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

132  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

Exploring Hvar Town deliberate attempt to lessen
social conflict between
Thanks to its wonderfully preserved Renaissance centre, aristocrats and plebeians. The
Hvar town is one of the most visited on the Dalmatian coast. plush interior has been well
It has long been popular with Croatian artists and celebrities, preserved and art exhibitions
lending it a chic ambience reflected in the growing number of are held in the foyer. There are
fine views of town from the
stylish restaurants, bars and hotels. Much frequented by luxury theatre’s balustraded terrace.
yachts and boats in summer, Hvar’s harbourside is one of the Diagonally opposite the
most glamorous in the Adriatic. Hvar town did not become Arsenal, the Renaissance clock
the main town on the island until the 15th century, when tower and loggia are all that
Venetian governors decided that the harbour was easier to remains of the Rector’s Palace,
where the administrator
defend than the one at Stari Grad, and ordered all the island’s appointed by the Venetian
noble families to move here. Hvar town became one of the Republic once held sway. The
most important ports for Venetian fleets going to and from rest of the palace was demolished
the Orient, bringing an upsurge in trade and wealth. Cultural in 1900 to make way for the
life and monastic orders also flourished. Hotel Elisabeth, since renamed
Hotel Palace (see p228).
P Hektorović Palace
Hektorovićeva palaĉa
North of the main square is
a very ancient quarter of the
town called Groda, consisting
of stone houses and narrow
alleys clinging to a sharply
rising hillside. The most
prominent landmark here is
the Hektorović Palace, an
unfinished building project
by the15th-century poet Petar
Hektorović (see pp130–31).
It is easily recognized by its
beautiful Venetian-Gothic
mullioned windows.
Cafés on the main square, with the cathedral in the background
R Benedictine Convent
R Cathedral of On the south side of the Benediktini samostan
St Stephen square, the Arsenal was built in Groda bb. Tel (021) 741 052.
Katedrala sv. Stjepana the late 16th century as a dry Open 10am–noon, 5–7pm
Trg svetog Stjepana. Tel (021) 743 dock for Venetian war galleys. Mon–Sat.
107. Cathedral Treasury: Open A theatre built on the first floor Just behind the Hektorović
summer: 9am–noon, 5–7pm daily; in 1612 is one of the oldest in Palace is a Benedictine convent
winter: by appt. Europe. The theatre was open founded in 1664 that houses a
Dominating Hvar’s harbourside to people of all classes in a secluded community of nuns
main square, Trg svetog who still make, display and sell
Stjepana, the Renaissance traditional Hvar lace, made by
cathedral has a trefoil pediment weaving fibres extracted from
and a 17th-century bell tower the spiky agave plants that can
standing to one side. The be seen all over the island.
interior houses many works of
art: a Virgin and Saints by Palma + Citadel
il Giovane (1544–1628), a Pietà Open Apr & May: 10am–4pm daily;
by Juan Boschetus, Virgin with Jun–Sep: 10am–10pm daily
Saints by Domenico Uberti and Paths ascend from the Groda
a fine 16th-century wooden district to the 16th-century
choir. The cathedral treasury Citadel on the hill above town,
boasts a rich collection of known locally as Španjola
reliquaries and silverware. because it was built by Spanish
architects who specialized in
P Arsenal fortification work. Superb views
Trg svetog Stjepana. Closed for Open to the sky, the Gothic windows of the of the surrounding coast are
restoration until late 2017. Hektorović Palace, never completed offered by the citadel’s ramparts.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp228–30 and p240–45

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.9)
Date 28th May 2014
Size 125mm x 217mm