St Stephen''s Square
The water reaches its edge with no quay between.
Carsten Steger — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nebojsa Ljuboja — CC BY 2.0 · Nebojsa Ljuboja — CC BY 2.0 · Nebojsa Ljuboja — CC BY 2.0
The historic centre of the island of Hvar, and one of the oldest planned towns on the Adriatic. Its heart is **St Stephen''s Square**, the largest in Dalmatia at some 4,500 square metres and one of very few European squares that **opens directly onto the sea** with no quay dividing them — the water reaches its edge. **Venice** ruled Hvar for centuries because its position commands the sea route between Venice and the east, so walls, a fortress and noble houses with Gothic fronts were built here. On the square stands **St Stephen''s Cathedral** with its tiered bell tower, and at the far end the sixteenth-century **Arsenal** — a vaulted shipyard, above which sits one of **the oldest municipal theatres in Europe** (1612), built for nobles and commoners to enter together, which was unusual for its time. Above the town stands the **Fortica** fortress on its hill. Note: Hvar is close to **Croatia''s most expensive town** in summer, and known for loud nightlife in July and August — anyone wanting quiet should head for Jelsa or Stari Grad.
The water reaches its edge with no quay between.
A vaulted sixteenth-century shipyard.
Venetian noble houses in the lanes behind the square.
Hvar Town, island of Hvar
St Stephen''s CathedralIt stands at the eastern end of St Stephen''s Square and closes it, so its facad1 minute walk4.6
The Hvar ArsenalA massive stone building closing St Stephen''s Square on the seaward side, holdi3 minutes walk3.9
Fortica FortressA fortress on a hill about **90 metres** above Hvar Town, known locally as **Špa4 minutes walk4.7
Franciscan MonasteryA fifteenth-century monastery on the water''s edge south-east of the town, its p6 minutes walk4.6The island has **two entirely different harbours** and they are commonly confused. **Hvar Town** takes the **passenger-only fast ferries** (catamarans) from Split — about an hour, landing you in the middle of town, and the right choice without a car. **Stari Grad** is the **car-ferry port**, and it is about **20 km from Hvar Town** — landing there you need a bus or a car to finish the journey, which catches many visitors out. ⚠ There is also a ferry to **Sućuraj** at the island''s far eastern end from Drvenik, which is a very long way from Hvar Town (about 75 km on a slow mountain road). ⚠ Ferries are **far less frequent outside summer** and are cancelled in strong wind.