Vrboska

Hvar island, Croatia

Vrboska, the smallest town on the sunny island Hvar, is special because of its geographical location hidden in the depth of the bay, the untouched pine forest, the culturalsights with the marks of the gothic, renaissance and baroque style, and an architecture interwoven with winding little roads. Vrboska has a very beautiful little island in the middle of the bay connected with bridges, and therefore it is named Little Venice/ "Mala Venecija".

The village has been settled since the ancient time and it developed into a fisherman's village and later into a wonderful little town. It owes its charm to the typical Mediterranean popular architecture, the proud old town houses with characteristics of gothic, renaissance and baroque style, the sacral spirit of the ancient church buildings, but also to the luxurious modem villas.

One of the sights for which Vrboska can be proud of is the fishermen's museum. The Museum collection includes all traditional fishermen's equipment such as all kinds of nets, tools and the rests of the machines of the former factory for preradu fish. There is also an old reconstructed fishermen's house which leaves an impressive image of the hard life of the former inhabitants of Vrboska, the ancient fishermen and field labourers. The most outstanding object of the architectural heritage on the island is the church (fortress) of St. Marija od milosrda from the 16th century, built from the local people for the defence against the Turks. It is the most beautiful fortress in Croatia, but also one of the most attractive churches in Europe of that time.

In the western direction from the church- fortress is the parish- church of St. Lovrinac from the 15th and adapted in the 17th century in the baroque style. The interior of the church of St.Lovre keeps a inestimable painting treasure ascribed to the renaissance maestro Tiziano Vecelio, Paolo Cagliari called Veronese, Jacopu de Ponte Bassano, Giuseppe Alabardi, Antonio Scuri, Tiziano Aspetti, and the filigran- artist Benvenuto Cellini.

There is also the Church of St. Petar from the year 1331, which is considered as one of the oldest sacral buildings on the island and the little church St.Roko built in 1577 as a vow against the plague.
Vrboska is known for its beautiful gravel and sandy beaches, clear air, crystal blue sea and untouched nature. There is also the nudist island Zecevo. In the near of the beach are the apartments family pensions, restaurants, caps with Marija stores, bars etc. Every day are organized boat-excursions from Vrboska to the famous beach Golden Horn! Zlatni rat on the island Brac. The rich fisherman's tradition of Vrboska reflects also in the local gastronomic offer. The healthy food from the surrounding fields and the fresh fish, together with the domestic olive oil and aromatically spices- will be a unique gourmand experience, which will together with a glass of wine of the famous sorts of wines from Hvar be just perfect. You have arrangements in private pensions and there is the hotel Adriatic with a nice beach and many sport facilities. The ACI marina Vrboska is opened for the yachtsmen during the whole year.