|
|
Vrboska is a small town and a
harbour on the central part of the northern coast of the island of Hvar. It lies in a narrow and deeply indented bay, surrounded by vineyards, olive
groves and a forest of pine.
Vrboska is divided into two parts: the eastern part called Pjaca (a
mixture of Renaissance and Baroque houses) and western part Podva
(with churches, narrow streets and houses built in Renaissance and Gothic
style) which are connected by little bridges joining the two banks. This
gives indescribable charm to the place. Main occupations include viniculture,
farming, fishing, olive growing and tourism.
Vrboska is famous for its beautiful beaches and virgin nature, due to it is a
well-known tourist centre. Accommodation is available in hotels, apartments, family
pensions, rooms and a nudist camp, with a high quality catering services.
Main attractions are: fine restaurants and bars, sports and recreation
opportunities, cultural events and entertainment, diving possibilities and
excursions (to Bol on the island of Brac and to other places on the island).
Visitors have at their disposal a harbour for small yachts and well-equipped,
called Vrboska ACI Marina (which is very attractive
for boaters). Vrboska has everything guests need for a quiet family holiday.
The most popular beaches in Vrboska are beaches on peninsula Soline, Maslinica bay and Zecevo Island.
Soline has many beautiful pebble coves on the southern side and mostly flat stones on the northern side.
Maslinica is a pebble beach, 800 m from the centre of town.
Zecevo is a small island with nudist
beach.
Vrboska was being developed since the 15th century as the port of Vrbanj, the village 3 km far away from the sea. The first inhabitants built
stone houses, picturesque bridges and the church of St Mary. The church was fortified in 1575, being required because of the constant threat of
the Turkish attacks. This church-fortress is one of the most
attractive buildings of its kind on the Croatian coast. It dominates over
Vrboska and offers a wonderful view.
Other cultural and historical sights in Vrboska are:
The parish church of St. Laurence built in the 15th
century and has been twice enlarged (in the 16th and again in the 17th
century when it acquired its present baroque appearance). It keeps valuable
paintings of the Renaissance and Baroque.
The Small church of St. Petar - located in the entrance to the port;
mentioned in the Hvar legal statute in 1331 as a border between Pitve and
Vrbanj, when there were still neither Vrboska nor Jelsa. This church is one of
the oldest on the island of Hvar.
The Small church of St. Roch was built in 1577 in a gothic–baroque style (as a pledge against plague).
Fort Kastilac (from the 16th century) was
served as a guarding post.
Fishermen’s museum preserves long fishermen’s tradition and hard life
of Vrboska inhabitants in the past. Collection includes reconstruction of an
old fisherman's house with traditional fishing nets and tools, as well as the
rest of the machines of the former fish processing factory in Vrboska.
|
|
