History and Culture in Vrboska

CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE
The church was built in the 15th century and was reconstructed in the 17th century. Amongst its old walls it preserves many valuable paintings: "Lady of Ružarija" from the 16th century painted by the famous Venetian painter Jacopo Bassan, "St. Anthony of Padua", "Christmas Eve" and "Homage of the Three Kings", works of painter Celestin Medović, as well as the silver Baroque cross from the 17th century, work of Tizian Aspetti. During the tourist season the church is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. During the low season, all visitations must be announced to the parish office by phone (+ 385 21 774 095).

CHURCH FORT OF ST. MARY
One of the most significant monuments of the island of Hvar is definitely the Church – fort erected in 1571, after the Turkish attack on the location of an older church that originated in 1465. The church has the shape of a fort with an observation post and a loop-hole and from its top there is a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding places and fields. The church preserves valuable works of Stefan Celesti ("Lady of Mount Carmel"), Antonio Sciuri ("Maryʼs Childbirth"), Giuseppe Alabardi ("Resurrection" and "Placing into the tomb") Marko Rašica ("Lady of Mount Carmel") and Celestin Medović ("Homage of the Three Kings"). During the tourist season the church is open to visitors between 10 a.m. and noon and 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. During the low season, all visitations must be announced to the parish office by phone (+ 385 21 774 095).

CHURCH OF ST. PETER
The church of St. Peter is located right at the entry to the port Vrboska. It is one of the oldest churches on the island. As far back as 1331, it was mentioned as the bordering point between the marine areas of Pitava and Vrbanja, since Jelsa and Vrboska were non-existent at that time. The statue of St. Peter originated from this church and was the work of Niccolo Fiorentino. Today it is preserved in the Church of St. Lawrence in Vrboska.

FISHING MUSEUM
The Museum was opened in 1972 and preserves numerous fishing equipment and accessories. Amongst many interesting exhibits there is an appliance called svićalo which was used to light pinewood splinter and whose light attracted fish. There are also petroleum lanterns that were immersed under seawater, old rudders, fish-hooks, but also cooperʼs tools. The Museum preserves a collection of treated crabs, fish and shells of the Adriatic seabed and amphora from the Roman period. During the tourist season the museum is open to visitors from 9 a.m. - noon and from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

GALLERY MIR
Gallery Mir was founded when the owners of the gothic renaissance house originating in 1573, after its reconstruction and renovation, decided to open it for public. Exhibitions are often held in this gallery and until now, many artists like the photographer Jasenko Rasol, painter Paulina Jazvić, Ana Kolega and others, displayed their works. It is interesting that in the venue of Gallery Mir you can enjoy the taste of juices and marmalades made after traditional recipes from autochthonic and self-grown plants from Hvar, like sage, mint, fennel, berry, sorb, etc.