Stari Grad’s cultural history can be explored in a variety of places: on the plain with its ancient field structures, in historic buildings and in the museum’s exhibitions. The historic centre of Stari Grad and the Stari Grad Plain were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. When planning your visit, it is worth considering these themes separately: the plain tells the story of an enduring agricultural tradition, while the museum and churches reveal further chapters in the town’s history.

The plain and its agricultural heritage

The Stari Grad Plain preserves an ancient Greek system of land division. Geometric plots bounded by dry-stone walls give this cultural landscape its distinctive structure. Cultivation on the plain has focused on grapes and olives since Greek times. The visible pattern of the fields is thus linked to a long history of agricultural use; it is not merely a historic division of land but also an enduring tradition. Visitors interested in the history of the landscape will find a different focus here than in the town’s buildings and collections.

Tvrdalj, the museum and the churches

Tvrdalj Petra Hektorovića is a fortified summer residence associated with the writer Petar Hektorović. The complex was conceived as a small, self-contained world for fish, birds, plants and people. Tvrdalj is open to visitors from May to October. Plan your visit during this period and check the specific visiting hours before your trip.

The Stari Grad Museum is located in Biankini Palace, west of Tvrdalj. The Biankini brothers had the palace built in 1896. The Faros–Faria–Stari Grad exhibition covers ancient Faros from the 5th century BC to the 6th century AD. The museum’s second floor also displays works by four 20th-century artists from Stari Grad. The Abdevnor room tells the story of a Roman merchant ship that sank in Duboka; much of its cargo and wooden hull survived. The museum’s story thus focuses both on the long history of ancient Faros and on a single shipwreck.

The churches also reflect different historical periods. The Church of St Stephen is a Baroque building whose construction began in 1605. It contains eleven Baroque altars created by Venetian artists. The Church of St John dates from the 5th or 6th century and features figurative mosaics. Together, these buildings offer a contrast across time, from early Christian art to Baroque decoration.

Routes, the coast and events

The Kabal 706 loop route starts in the centre of Stari Grad and runs mostly across the Kabal peninsula. It is 24.7 kilometres long and combines paved roads with gravel tracks. Its length and changing surfaces are important considerations when fitting this route into your day’s plans. The Purkin Kuk 707 loop also ends in Stari Grad. Check the conditions on the relevant route before setting out.

There are several different options for a coastal stay: several swimming areas are close to the town centre, and Stari Grad Bay contains more than 40 natural coves with sandy, pebbly or rocky shores. You can reach Bonj on foot along the seafront or by bicycle. As conditions on the route may change, check them before setting out. These details make it easier to treat route planning and time by the water as separate parts of your stay.

One recurring annual event is the Feast of St Roch on 16 August, which Stari Grad celebrates with a procession through the town. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the exact programme for your travel dates. This lets you combine the town’s historical character with a specific seasonal event without making assumptions about what will take place during your visit.

For the main travel overview: Stari Grad.