Stari Grad
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Stari Grad, Croatia
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
The town and harbour of Stari Grad lie at the head of a four mile long gulf carved into the NW coast of Hvar Island in Croatia. The oldest town in Croatia, the settlement is though to have been founded by Greeks under the name of Faros in 385 BC. The town was the capital of the island until Hvar Town assumed that role in 1278. The setting is picturesque, with numerous narrow alleys and squares overlooked by fine old stone houses, of which one, that of the famed 16th century Croatian poet, Petar Hektorovic, is now the town’s leading tourist attraction. The harbour offers very good berthing options for visiting yachts, with around 50 berths distributed between its S quay and a row of mooring buoys off its shallow N quay. Shelter is excellent in all conditions except strong W and NW winds, which create a dangerous surge in the harbour. The harbour can also be subject to a phenomenon called 'plima' in Croatian, a seiche which causes rapid fall and rise of water levels by as much as 1.0 metre. This is most likely in very strong S winds and with low barometric pressures. Fortunately this is a relatively rare occurrence (although the last such event was as recent as November 2012).
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Charts
- British Admiralty
- 2712
- 269
- Croatian charts
- MK19
- Imray
- M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)
Local Weather
Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split.
Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.
For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.
There are no dangers in the immediate approach to Vrboska. There is a green buoy at the entrance to the harbour marking a rocky reef. Depths in the entrance are 13.0 metres, on the town quay from 2.0 metres at the E end to 4.0 metres at the W end near the buoy. Depths on the mooring buoys are 3.0 - 4.0 metres.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Stari Grad is a summer port of entry only. At other times of year, Split or Korcula are the nearest year-round ports of entry.
Berthing options
There are four main berthing options:
1. Town quay
The town quay on the S side of the inlet (past the green buoy) has been developed for visiting yachts and has around 50 mooring lines in depths ranging from 2.0 metres at the E end to 4.0 metres at the W end near the buoy. There are water and electricity points along the quay.
2. Mooring buoys
A row of mooring buoys has been laid parallel to the N side of the harbour, some 50 metres off the quay (depths on the quay are too shallow for yachts). Visiting yachts can pick up one of these in depths of 3.0 - 4.0 metres.
3. Western jetty
There is a short jetty 200 metres W of the berths on the town quay, identifiable by a light structure on the end and opposite a domed mausoleum. It is possible for a couple of yachts to lie alongside here in depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres if there is space. There is a water and electricity point nearby on the quay.
4. Ferry jetty
It is possible for short periods to tie up alongside on the quay immediately E of the ferry pier half a mile SW of the harbour entrance. Immediately S of the ferry terminal, across the main road, is a large Kerum supermarket big enough to stock up for a month’s cruising.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
There area number of good anchorages in the approach to Stari Grad. See Hvar Island page for details or, for a zoomable summary map, click on: Map of marina, harbours and anchorages on Hvar Island.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Only very basic repairs.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
No fuel berth. Water and electricity along the S quays.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
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The old town of Stari Grad is a maze of narrow alleys and tiny squares, ringed with the stone houses typical of the Dalmatian islands. Among its most prized exhibits is the fortified house of the famous 16th century Croatian poet, Petar Hektorovic, with a central courtyard containing a fish pond and beautiful gardens. Another highlight of a visit to Stari Grad is the 15th century Dominican monastery, fortified with a tower following a Turkish raid in 1571, which contains a museum with the oldest insciptions unearthed in Croatia (in Greek) and a church with a painting of The Interment of Christ attributed to Tintoretto.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Supermarket and several provisions shops in the town. Butchers and bakers. Fruit and vegetable market. Fish market.
Eateries
Several restaurants and café/bars ashore.
Internet/WiFi
In internet cafes.
Laundry
In the town N of the harbour.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Car, scooter and cycle rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins around the quays.
Transport
- Daily ferries to Split.
- Seasonal ferries to Dubrovnik.
- Seasonal ferries to Ancona, Pescara and Giulianova in Italy.
- Local buses to Hvar Town and other island destinations.
Routes/Passages To/From
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Also see Croatia.
References & Publications
See Croatia.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- August 2005 --Athene of Lymington 17:27, 23 April 2012 (BST)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Croatia | Hvar | Stari Grad | |
