It is a building with a great deal of sentimental value for me, and one which has undergone tragedy in recent years.
Just off the corner of the square overlooking the fine bay of Jelsa harbour stands the main administrative building of Jelsa. Built in the late 19th century, it used to house the town library on the top floor, a library I entered in 2002 looking for a children’s book to learn Croatian. I left with the memory of a sparkling pair of blue eyes which happened to belong to the future Mrs Total Hvar.
That was then. Tragedy struck, and a fire in November 2013 destroyed the building, along with 10,000 books and a variety of official documents and other treasures.
Work on the restoration of the iconic building has been ongoing, but work on the ground floor continues apace, as I noticed when I popped my head round the door yesterday. I understand that the ground floor used to be a popular meeting point as the Gradska Kavana (Town Cafe) back in the day, and perhaps it will be again – a large public space which would make a perfect entertainment centre/cafe area.
More as we get it.
And there were some old treasures inside, such as this sign below. Can anyone name the year?
