April 18, 2020 – A lovely story from Stari Grad on Hvar about how the cholera epidemic of 1855 was responsible for the cobbles coming to Srinja Kola street in this 2,400-year-old town.
Here is a story about the cobbles of Srinja Kola street in the old town of Stari Grad.
How Middle Street Got Its Cobbles
It just goes to show that while history may not exactly repeat itself, it certainly does rhyme. While Mark Twain may not have had epidemics in mind, this episode proves him correct. Thanks go to Hvar Island Concierge for the story, and to Zdravko Podolski for the eagle eye at spotting it, as well as this translation.
Dinko Gazzari and Marko Niseteo, were doctors responsible for conquering the cholera epidemic that plagued Stari Grad on Hvar in the summer of 1855.
For their contribution they were due to receive gold medals, but they declined and suggested that instead the Middle Street (Srinja Kola) should be paved. Instead of a muddy creek in winter and a dusty mess in summer it got paved in beautiful stone cobbles. (Depicted here in the photo by Vilma Vodanović.
At that time people were hiding in huts and trims (stone field shelters) outside town, and boats anchored in the bay. In shops, coins were dropped into bowls of vinegar, and everyone was careful not to touch anyone else. Strict isolation of all local settlements prevented mass deaths, except in Dol which was loose with its quarantine and several villagers died, and their houses were burnt to prevent the disease spreading. The Gendarmes were very active, and mention should also be made of pharmacist Peter Confalonieri and mayor Peter Scuttari.
Thanks Hvar Concierge and Zdravko – great story.
And to see how the gorgeous old town of Stari Grad is faring in the corona era, here is yesterday’s look at life under lockdown in Stari Grad.
