Hvar: Town and Island: May 2016.

We have read that Hvar is a "party destination"! Well it certainly has a buzz that is not as apparent at other Croatian harbour towns. Lots of restaurant and people trying to sell you excursions. But also hiring deck chairs, beach access and taxi boats.

Hvar (town) is built on bay with a small island at the enterence providing additional shelter from the sea. Boats, yachts and bikes can be seen in abundance. The history of conquest is similar to the other Croatian Islands. The current location of Stari Grad (translation: "Old Town") was the site of the original Greek settlement, on a great harbour and adjacent to fertile land.

It is inspiring to walk down streets of beautiful whitish stones polished by feet overs thousands of years and in places channeled by the wheels of chariots and carts. Similarly the steps of many buildings including church's are warn by the feet of generations.

The cruising yacht Casablanca docked briefly in Hvar while I was on the wharf. It is a luxury mini cruiser intended for charter and private cruises in Croatia, based out of Split and/or Dubrovnik. Casablanca is 51 meter long and can accommodate up to 38 passengers. It's charter rate (mid season) is 43,000Euro, plus meals and refreshments.

The old town of Hvar reached a peak under Venetian rule and their winged lion symbol can be seen in many places, particularly on items funded by the Venetians, including on this well (photo to left) and on the fort above the town.

The beautiful harbour town of Jesla.

 

 

 

 

 

Stari Grad has a large and well used harbour and the ferry port for the Island on an adjacent fork of the harbour.

While we were there the harbour master was busy juggling spots for all the 30ft + yachts. There are currently significantly enlarging the docking space.

The south coast of the island, to the east of Hvar is quite steep, and has its own micro climate. It claims the most sunny hours in Croatia which assists the development of their premium wines.

We found a remote but excellent restaurant near the sea, run by a man who after 15 years in London restaurant swapped that life to be close to his son!

Many slopes behind the town of Hvar are covered by integrated dry stone walls and stone shelters. They are UNESCO protected as a monument to centuries of work by many generations to turn rocky hills into productive agriculture. Today the slopes are largely covered by lavender.

Our little hire car near stone walls and chapels on the heights between Hvar and Stari Grad.

 

 

 

 

This typical example of a 19th C lime kilm was built by locals, but before it could be fired, they were called up for WW1!