The hill overlooking the town of Hvar is a magnificent viewpoint. From there, you can look down on the town itself, watch the comings and goings in the harbour, see the Pakleni islands and the sea beyond. On a clear day (which they mostly are), you can see right over to Vis. The benefits of such an ideal defensive position wasn’t missed by the early settlers of the island.
That famous view over the town and harbour
The original settlement in the area is apparently eneolithic, signs of which have been found on the northern slopes of the hill. At some point the Illyrians took over and built a defensive citadel, and remains have been found of a bronze/iron age hillfort, dating to around 500-1000 BC. This was apparently an important center of activity with a castle defending an Illyrian town below, and its associated fields. At the same time, the nearby bay of Vira was the site of a large barrow cemetery. Pottery found in the area indicates that they were part of a larger trading network from the eighth century BC onwards.
Trđava this way…
Once the Greek colonists arrived, the Illyrians withdrew further inland. During Roman times, there was Byzantine fort, possibly built in the time of Justinian in the 6th century. Some traces of that can still be seen in the south-facing walls.
South-facing wall and one of the bastions
By 1282, Hvar was under the protection of the Venetians, who ordered that their preferred “new town” harbour be fortified with enclosing walls and a new fortress. This was around the time when the name Hvar was transferring from the “old town”, ie Stari Grad, to the new town on the southern shore. Apparently it was easier for sea-going traffic to get in and out.
An early representation of Hvar with its fortress in 1479, as drawn by the German Konrad von Grünenberg on his trip from Venice to the Holy Land
The fort developed over time, with many alterations to the plans and frequent repairs. As warfare science developed, so new defenses had to be incorporated. For example, the appearance of cannons in the 16th century meant that walls needed to be better protected with bastions. All in all, it took several hundred years and further infusions of cash from Venice to complete the fortifications to their satisfaction.
Town of Hvar crest shows the fort and walled town
The fortress was largely finished in the mid-16th century, as can be seen the town crest, and the date 1551 engraved over the main southern gate. It included four circular bastions, a tower, crenellated walls, an armory, gunpowder store, a large and small water cistern, quarters for the garrison, a prison, and a chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist. At that time, the fort was manned by a commander (kaštelan) and 12 soldiers, 4 cannoneers and a munitioner.
Hvar in 1571
The defenses were much needed on the 19th August 1571 when the Turks attacked, and the citizens took shelter in the fort while the town burned. And just as they were recovering from that disaster, on 1st October 1579, at 3:30am a lightning strike hit the gunpowder store, and the resulting explosion seriously damaged the fortress and parts of the town below. Over the next few years, the fort was rebuilt and repaired once again, not to mention much of the town!
Plan of present day Fortica
Interestingly, drawings of the fort before 1571 clearly show the main entrance on the south side (towards the town), whereas today, the entrance is round the back, in the north wall. I’m guessing that was considered safer after the Turkish attack. Later additions include barracks and warehouses from the time of the Austrians at the beginning of the 19th century.
The way up to Fortica has many steps
The fortress has traditionally been known as Fortica, (pronounced for-tee-tsa) after the Italian ‘fortezza’ or, since Spanish engineers worked on it in the 14th century, it is also called Tvrđava Španjola – the Spanish fortress. I love the way names still tell you so much about the history of a place!
The walls of the fort
These days, Fortica is no longer needed as a military base, but has been renovated and adapted to a new function – welcoming visitors to the town rather than repelling them! Walking up to Fortica from the harbour takes you up backstreets and steps, winds you through a botanic garden and leads you to the most stunning views from the top – cameras at the ready!
Ready, aim… FIRE!
In 1811, in the short time of the French rule, the Napolean fort was added on the hill behind, and that is the site of Hvar’s seismological station. (Read previous article: The Adriatic on a Plate)
Approaching Hvar from the sea with Fortica and the Napolean fort above
Go Hvar 
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