Stari Grad Plain Historical Site

Address: Stari Grad Plain, Island of Hvar, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

The Stari Grad Plain on the island of Hvar is a well-preserved agricultural landscape originally laid out by ancient Greek colonists and valued for continuity of land use and traditional farming patterns. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

The agricultural layout dates to the founding of the Greek colony of Pharos (Faros) in the 4th century BCE and has been used and managed across successive periods, preserving ancient field boundaries, terraces and land-use practices. The durability of this rural system is the site’s key cultural value.

The plain lies on the northern side of the island of Hvar, adjacent to the small town of Stari Grad, and is visible from the coastal road that links islands and towns across central Dalmatia.

• Antiquity of land use: The plain preserves an ancient agricultural landscape established by Greek colonists, illustrating land division and farming practices maintained continuously for over two millennia.

The Stari Grad Plain on the island of Hvar is reached by ferry from Split: Jadrolinija and other operators run car ferries to Stari Grad (journey time roughly 2-3 hours), or high‑speed catamarans sail to Hvar town (then a local bus or taxi to Stari Grad, about 30-40 minutes). The plain is immediately outside Stari Grad town and is easily reached on foot or by bicycle from the harbour.

• Go outside high summer-spring and autumn offer cooler conditions and far fewer tourists, making it easier to explore the ancient field patterns around Stari Grad Plain.
• Start from Stari Grad town and follow the marked rural paths that radiate from town into the plain; walking or cycling these low-traffic lanes reveals the original Greek/Hellenistic field layout that casual passersby miss.
• Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for softer light on the dry‑stone walls and terraces and to avoid the midday bustle in Stari Grad during the high season (July-August).