Hvar

Now after having left our rental car in Korčula, we hop on a hydroplane ferry (fast boat) to head to Hvar, another island destination, back to the northwest.

The town of Hvar has a long and distinguished history as center for trade and culture in the Adriatic.  Part of the Venetian Empire during the 13th to 18th centuries, it was an important naval base with a strong fortress above, encircling the town walls and protecting the port.  Cultural life thrived as prosperity grew, and Hvar is the site of one of the oldest surviving theaters in Europe, opened in 1612. The seven-hundred-year-old walls still survive, as do many of the noble houses and public buildings from 15th – 17th centuries.

We head out from Korčula, passing along its city walls.

Now in Hvar (the H is silent), it's a long climb up to our lodging at the top heights of the town.

After a brief rest, it's still early, so we head out for some sights.  Ah, see below, another nice rock beach.

It's a busy little harbor, with swimmers jumping in, ferry boats coming and going, and little charter boats doing their thing.

At the Franciscan Monastery with a church of Our Lady of Mercy, built in the late 15th century.

Wine amphorae containers on display in the church, found from a nearby shipwreck.

One of the attractions in the monastery's garden is a large old cedar tree, possibly hit by lightning decades ago, and now growing strange flat limbs.

The "youngsters" having tended to get a bit crazy in past years, and now the town has policies to calm them down.

From the inside of the church at the head of the square - some "graphic" sights:

Gerri is getting her bearings - where to go next?

There's even some small vineyards here and there around town.

We're working our way to the climb/hike that takes us up to the town's protective fortress.

On the hike up, there's even some interesting easy chairs to take a break.

We made it the top - there's nothing really to see inside, so we skipped that part.

But the view is well worth the effort to get there.

After a bit of a walk down, we see it again from below.

Our view from dinner (just another pizza and Greek salad).

And now to the recommended family winery servery.

After hanging out inside for a bit, we found a perch just outside on a stoop where we had good conversation with adjacent shop workers and another local, who explained the family orientated small businesses around town.

Heading back "home".

On our last day in Hvar, we get out on a 36' sailboat with 6 others and a our captain.

Tomorrow it's back to Korčula to retrieve our car.