The old part of
Stari Grad has an atmospheric network of narrow streets opening out into small piazzas, and has a number of interesting attractions, including:
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Tvrdalj, the restful summer house and walled garden of the Renaissance poet and aristocrat Petar Hektorovi. The centrepiece is a cloister surrounding a turquoise pond stocked with mullet.
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The Bianchini Palace, which has a display of finds from the original Greek settlement, Pharos.
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The 15th Century Dominican monastery, which has a museum with a fine collection of Greek gravestones and a work by the Venetian master Tintoretto.
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The 12th Century Romanesque church of St John.
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The fine Dalmatian Baroque St Stephen’s Church.
Easter
Perhaps the most notable annual event is the procession "Za Krizem" (following the Cross) at Easter. It takes place at night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday around a circle of six parishes: Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirce, Vrbanj and Vrboska.
It originated as a penitents procession after a miracle in 1510 when tears of blood were shed from the small cross in Hvar. Processions from each of the six villages begin on the stroke of midnight. The selected bearers of the cross lead the procession, barefoot and dressed in white tunics. The choirs sing a 15th century melody “Crying of Our Lady".
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