Hvar: war and peace

Travel through time and discover Hvar in the Venetian era with Elisabetta Condulmer, wife of Duke and Governor Prince Pietro Semitecolo.

The prince not only restored the town of Hvar after the Ottoman attack in 1571 but also reconciled the noblemen and commoners after many years of conflict. As a sign of peace, he opened the first public theater in Europe in 1612.

In this interactive costumed tour, Elisabetta will share her perspective on what life was like in Hvar and Dalmatia during the Venetian era. She will explain the division of the town into commoners and nobility, and recount their conflicts that escalated into the Hvar Rebellion, led by Matija Ivanić, which resulted in a four-year civil war from 1510 to 1514.

Elisabetta will testify that during her husband Prince Semitecolo’s two-year mandate, he observed that divisions within the city persisted. He decided to restore civil peace and opened a public theater in the second year of peace.

Additionally, on this interpretive tour, you will visit the most significant historical buildings:

• Terrace Belvedere – a terrace offering one of the most beautiful views of the Town of Hvar and the main square, from which you enter the theater.
• Hvar Theater – the first public theater and the third oldest in Europe.
• Arsenal – the historical shipyard.
• Loggia – the public courthouse where public auctions were held for tax and customs leases.

Come and uncover the dark secrets of the sunniest island in Croatia!