A stop by Stari Grad on the way to Split

 

Stari Grad

 Hvar is not only the name of a town but also the entire island that Hvar town is on.  But there are other towns on the island as well.  Stari Grad is round the corner and on the other side of the island and it lies in an area that is a UNESCO world heritage site.  

Stari Grad

 The areas claim to fame is the Stari Grad Plain.  It is a unique UNESCO site because it is not a town or a ruin but an agricultural site.  What is notable and amazing really is that the fields were set up by Greeks in the 4th century BC and the plain is today almost entirely as it was then.  The Greeks laid out plots with rock boundaries.  Those stone boundaries have been maintained for over 2400 years!  The water collection system has also been maintained all this long, long time.  It is recognized for being a prime example of the ancient Greek agriculture system.  Today, as so long ago, they grow olives and grapes primarily.

Stari Grad - Town Quay

 Apparently due to the richness of the soil and the vastness of the plain folks from many different eras have all wanted to settle here.  Therefore the  plain contains layer upon layer of various cultures throughout the years.  There are no fewer than 120 archaeological sites in the plain.  That is an amazing amount of history in just one relatively small place.  Sadly, we did not make it out into the plain itself to see the plots as we were only in Stari Grad for one day.  We have a date that we need to be in Split so we are steadily making our way there.  Nonetheless the town of Stari Grad was a great little stopover and is wonderful in its own right.  But now we are moving on to Split for new solar panels and to catch up with some friends for a visit.