Stari Grad
Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe and Croatia. The streets are much quieter than Hvar Town, so take your time exploring the narrow streets, pop into the local shops and grab yourself some delicious ice cream! Some of the top sights to see in Stari Grad Old Town are Tvrdalj Castle, a 16th century building which belonged to the famous poet Peter Hektorovic, and the Stari Grad Plains which were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 2008.
Jelsa
The small harbour town of Jelsa is just a 20-minute drive from the busy town and has plenty of picturesque squares and cobbled streets to wander through. Jelsa is also home to several good beaches and coves where you can enjoy a quick swim. Whilst on your visit, take some time to explore the four chapels inside the Gothic Church of St Mary, which were originally built in 1331. Take a look inside and gaze at the famous painting of ‘Our Lady and torture of Fabian and Sebastian’, created by a Flemish-Venetian painter known as P. de Coster.
Franciscan Monastery
Just a short walk from the bustling town centre in Hvar, you will find the Franciscan Monastery. Inside you can browse the many paintings and artefacts, including a collection of coins from the Greek, Roman and Venetian period and Ptolemy’s Atlas printed in 1524. The most famous painting you will find here is the magnificent Last Supper, believed to be the work of 16th century painter Matteo Ingoli. There is also a garden which is home to a 300-year-old Cypress tree.
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