Recently, I went for a walk around Stari Grad, a historic town on Croatia’s Hvar Island, and visited Tvrdalj Castle, the fortified summer residence of the renowned Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović. In this photo story, discover more about this cultural gem and the most famous building in Stari Grad.
Stari Grad: Design & Travel Story
As a design & travel content creator, I enjoy visiting, writing about, and photographing places that unite both themes, such as storytelling towns worldwide with inspiring nature and architecture. Stari Grad is such a town.
The Adriatic Sea mingles with stone promenades, and traditional Dalmatian stone architecture reveals the strength of this part of the world. There are charming streets and squares where small shops and restaurants offer a glimpse into local fashion, arts & crafts, culinary delights… I’ll be featuring more of this historic town in my upcoming articles, and in this article I am telling you a story about the Tvrdalj Castle.
Petar Hektorović’s Tvrdalj Castle: Poetry Meets Architecture
Petar Hektorović’s Tvrdalj Castle is the fortified summer residence of the famous Croatian Renaissance poet and the best-known building in Stari Grad (the Old Town), which, as the name reveals, is the historic center of picturesque Hvar Island in Croatia.
Poet and thinker Petar Hektorović is one of the greatest figures in Croatian cultural heritage, known for his realistic literary works describing people, events, and folk poetry from these parts. Writer and constructor Hektorović built this fortified castle according to his blueprints on his property by the sea. He also supervised the construction, which lasted for almost forty years. Tvrdalj, constructed by local craftsmen, Hektorović built – as the inscription over the entrance door states – for himself and his friends.
The bust of Petar Hektorović is situated at the Tvrdalj Square in front of the castle.
Related Article: What to See in Wonderful Hvar in a 5-Day Stay
Pond and Garden for Fish, Birds, Plants, and People
For Hektorović, Tvrdalj represented a kind of microcosm, a small world in which all creatures, fish, birds, plants, and people have a comfortable space for a free life.
The well-known landmark of Tvrdalj is its Pond, surrounded by a stone porch, where fish (mullets) live freely and undisturbed, as tradition requires.
On top of the Pond stands a small tower with stone nests for pigeons and holes for sparrows.
Behind the Pond is a lovely garden with plants sent to him by poets from Dubrovnik, his friends.
Related Article: Rosemary Symbolizes Love and Fidelity
Tvrdalj Castle: Wise Words, Carved in Stone
The poet and translator Petar Hektorović, besides writing his literary works and translating classical literature, also created his summer residence as a book in stone. When visiting Tvrdalj Castle, explore numerous carved inscriptions in Latin and Croatian, as well as one in Italian.
Among the curiosities of the castle is a toilet in the atrium by the main entrance door, which was a rarity in Europe during that time (15th and 16th centuries). As expected from the poet, Hektorović also placed a wise inscription in the toilet.
When you visit Stari Grad on Hvar Island, Tvrdalj Castle awaits you to tell you the story of Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović’s microcosm, created as a home for fish, birds, plants, and people, and adorned with wise words carved in stone.
Greetings from Danica Maričić, Design & Travel Communications! 🙂
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