Hvar is an island in central-Dalmatian archipelago situated between islands of Brač, Vis, Korčula, Pelješac peninsula and Makarska littorial. In front of the western part of the south coast there are Pakleni otoci, and if front of Hvar there is the island Šćedro. Hvar is the longest (68 km) island on Adriatic, with the area of 299,7 square meters and the altitude of 628 meter. It is also undobtedly one of the prettiest islands in Adriatic and the favourite tourist destiantion luring with it’s authenticity, intact nature, crystal, blue sea, beautiful beaches, historical and cultural values. It is especialy known for its warm climate with lots of sun, few rainy days and practicaly no snow; rich vegetation, vineyards, olive trees and vast lavender fields.
The biggest number of villages developed around the fertile field called Velo polje. Larger villages stretch along the coast: Hvar, Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrbovska. The island is connected to the mainland by ferryboat in two places: Sućuraj-Drvenik and Stari Grad-Split.
Hvar is an island with the rich history and cultural herritage. Due to it’s position opened towards the open sea, on the ancient sail route, it was the place of contact for different cultures that left mark till nowdays. The island is populated since the early New Stone age (caves Grapčeva, Pokrivenik and Markova). The Greeks founded there a colony named Faros (around 385 BC). Around 235 BC the island became a part of the Illyric state of king Agrona, and later it came under the rule of Rome. Today, the island of Hvar with the town of Hvar and other villages is one of the most attractive and developed tourist destinations in Croatia. The island is characterized by rosemary and lavender planting and by lavender oil manufacturing.
It is also characterized by agava lace, produced by the nuns of the Benedictian monastery in Hvar. They collected agava leaves, at least three years old, than they pulled out leaf threads 1 meter long, treating it in 3 different ways for more. The agava lace has been produced for more than 100 years. The climate is mild Mediterranian with the longest insolation in country (2718 hours per year).