3 PERFECTLY VALID REASONS FOR VISITING HVAR CITY IN AUTUMN

Hello darlings! Today I'm taking you to Hvar city. This beautiful historical city shares its name with the island it is located on. Hvar city is a very popular tourist spot for a number of valid reasons. It certainly has quite a few noteworthy historical sights. The most famous landmarks include: the oldest European theatre for commoners, the 16th century city cathedral and the 16th century fortress. If you want to avoid the crowds, autumn is the perfect time to visit this time. So, let's have a look around!
 THE OLDEST EUROPEAN THEATRE FOR COMMONERS (17th CENTURY)
Dating to seventeen century, this historical theatre still preserves much of its charm. It is fully preserved and still operates as a theatre. Four centuries of continual use is certainly a very impressive feat for any theatre. What is so interesting about this historical theatre is that it was the only theatre open to commoners (meaning people who are not of noble descent) of its time.  It is the third oldest theatre in Europe, but the first one for commoners. At the time, most theatres of this type were privately owned and opened only to nobles. However, in Hvar it was decided that the theatre will be open for all. One of the reasons (and quite possibly the reason) might be the feuds between the nobles and the common folk that were taking place at the time. Hvar saw several rises against the nobles in its time. These feuds happened in the other parts of Croatia, but unlike the nobles living ashore who could really on their European pals to come and help them chop the common folk to pieces, island nobility didn't have that option. That is why they decided it is a good idea to try to get along with the commoners instead of (you know) killing them all in the battlefield and suffering casualties in the process. Island nobility learned to live with the common folk. Hvar's theatre was so liberal that it allowed visiting fisherman to keep its nests inside and spend the night in case of storms and so on. If history taught me anything, it is that Dalmatians are a pragmatic sort of people. Another thing worth noting is that this theatre is located right next to the sea port and that (for me at least) makes it an extra special and magical place. A square of St. Stephen hides a few more gems, so let's continue our tour and have a look at the best known one: the city cathedral of saint Stephen. 
THE  CATHEDRAL OF SAINT STEPHEN (16th CENTURY)
In immediate vicinity of the theatre you can find the historical city cathedral of Saint Stephen. Dating back to the 16th century, this late Renaissance/early baroque church is a beauty. The bell tower dating to 17th century is also quite stunning. The cathedral of saint Stephen was build to replace a church destroyed by the Turks.  Its shrine consists of pieces taken from 14th century Gothic church. This church was also build on a site of another earlier church (built in the 6th century). So, a lot of christian history at this spot right there. This cathedral is another wonderful example of 16th century Dalmatian architecture. If you want to see more of Dalmatian architecture, you can visit my old posts (here, here, here , here, here, here and here).








THE FORTRESS FORTICA (16th CENTURY)
Not far from the St. Stephen square, you will find a historical fortress Fortica. The foundations for this fortress go back to Illyrian times. However, the construction of the fortress as we know it today started in the 13th century. This fortress was not build just for show. It saved the lives of the city inhabitants when the Turks sacked the city in the 16th century.  The multi layer fortification system is quite a sight!  Inside the fortress you will find a rare collection of ancient amphora. You will need to climb for a bit in order to get to the top of the fortress, but when you do get there you'll be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of Hvar city. That's what I heard, anyway. I have yet to climb to the top myself. I know it might look like I'm travelling around and not doing anything, but that isn't the case. I work full time and the reason why I went to  Hvar city to get some paperwork done. I did enjoy my stay. I'm not a classical tourist, I never travel anywhere just for the sake of travel, but I like researching and exploring every place I find myself in. I'm also very much a proponent of 'be a tourist in your own city' movement. Every opportunity to learn something new is a good one!
Thank you for reading & visiting!

Comments

  1. Such a beautiful and lovely village dear! And you pics of your outfit and style are always on point! So gorgeous.


    Cats in the City

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  2. Architecture of Hvar is very impressive! You look very chic in this styling :-)

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  3. Wow great photos!
    xx- Nina
    http://www.stylingwithnina.com/

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  4. What an amazing place! The history in my part of the world (the west coast of Canada) is barely 200 years old (for white colonists, at least). Nothing as majestic or awe-inspiring as this!

    I love your plaid jacket. That must be stressful, to be traveling and working. Hang in there!

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  5. What a beautiful cathedral! It's interesting the island has so many old buildings, it's all so different from Australia!

    Hope that your week is going well :) It's very smokey here still but we are lucky and safe from the bushfires.

    Away From Blue

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  6. I can't believe all of the history there Ivana. It's funny because it makes you realize how young the USA really is.
    OXOX
    Jodie

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    Replies
    1. thank you. I'm a history lover so you can imagine how much I love it here...but I think that recent/ young history is interesting too!

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  7. wow this is so much info but very good one. Thank you for sharing. I like your outfit
    How is the week going?
    new post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2019/11/bloggers-struggling-with-poor-traffic.html

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  8. Wonderful photos and interesting post dear!

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  9. Dear Ivana,
    I see Hvar is full of gems and really worth to visit! Hopefully I can see all these impressing buildings one day. In the meantime thanks a lot for sharing and I like you in your elegant fall look.
    Liebe Grüße, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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  10. Wow this architecture is so pretty :) xx

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  11. What a beautiful place with so much history!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  12. I remember you writing about Hvar before and I think the combination of history and charming architecture would be enough to convince me but the lovely seaside location is certainly very appealing as well.

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  13. Hvar is on my list for holiday for such a long period of time. Thank you for sharing information about history, I really enjoy reading it. Also your outfit is perfect for Autumn. You look so beautiful.

    New Post - http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2019/11/declare-caviar-perfection-luxury-anti_14.html

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  14. Ma quante cose interessanti ci sono da vedere a Hvar!
    E dire che non l'avevo mai sentita tre le mete turistiche, che peccato...
    interessantissime tutte le tue informazioni storiche e belle foto! Sei sempre molto chic!
    Baci!
    S
    https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com

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  15. Hvar is such a gorgeous place, I haven't been there yet I hope we will visit it soon. The history of this theatre is amazing and the cathedral is so beautiful! Also your outfit is so chic and stylish!
    Thank you for sharing these inforamtion and pictures!
    Have a wonderful evening!:)

    jointyicroissanty

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  16. Have looks like a lovely place to visit!

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  17. E' davvero bellissima, spero di visitarla quanto prima e tu sei sempre così chic!
    Kisses, Paola.

    Expressyourself

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  18. Nice post dear!! Thank for sharing!
    Have a lovely day! xx

    La ilusión de Nina - http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com/

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  19. Hello Ivana
    Thanks for this Hvar travel itinerary, I know I will never go to this place, thanks for sharing its story. I especially loved the cathedral !!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

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  20. Never heard of this town! Looks cool!


    xx
    https://anna-alina.blogspot.com/

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  21. What a beautiful photos! Sounds like you had fun time

    www.infinitelyposh.com

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  22. The photos are amazing and the historic information is so interesting. That place is beautiful. I've heard of Hvar before and your post just made me want to visit even more!
    Xoxo ❤
    EVENING BREEZE

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  23. Hvar is as beautiful as you are in your chic outfit!

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  24. Such a wonderful place indeed. Love your photos dear!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  25. Thank you for taking us with you to discover Hvar, I didn't know too much about this place but now I feel like I need to book a flight to Croatia and explore for a while...

    There is a magical aura when you visit an island when it is colder: the clouds, the mist that you can see around the old buildings, etc. The shape of the cathedral is also quite particular, not very similar to others from the same time, looks more modern.

    PS: That checked coat reminds me of the movie Clueless.... have you seen it?

    Best
    Pablo
    www.heyfungi.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I did see it years ago when I was a teen and I loved it back then, I remember I watched it 4 times in a row.

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