A presidential visit to Stari Grad on Hvar on September 9, 2016, as what is claimed as the oldest town in Croatia turns 2400.
In 384 BC a fleet of ships from the island of Paros sailed into a very deep bay on the northern part of the island today known as Hvar, and established a colony which they called Faros. The legacy of what they created back then lives on, most notably in one of Croatia’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Stari Grad Plain, an agrictultural colony they founded which continues with similar farming methods today. That deep bay, some 8km to its mouth is today the home of one of the world’s most challenging swims which attracts some of the world’s top swimmers for the annual 16km race, and the settlement they founded? Well, some say it is the oldest town in all Croatia. While that may be up for some debate, there is no denying it is one of the most beautiful.
Time passed. And to see just how time passed on the Stari Grad Plain, watch this official video from the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board below.
And as that time passed, the President herself came to visit on the occasion of the 2400th birthday of the arrival of the Ancient Greeks from Paros. 2400 years which has seen a fascinating history of the little colony founded all those years ago. Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic was clearly enjoying herself and mixing with the crowds.
One of the President’s stops was at the luxury Apolon, a recent boutique addition to Stari Grad tourism at the end of the new riva, where inside she was introduced to a new planned colony to match that of the Ancient Greeks 2400 years ago, as sales director Beckett Tucker introduced her to the upscale planned Four Seasons Hotel and surrounding villas in Brizenica Bay, which is due to open in 2019, a potent symbol of the rise in fortunes of this proud town.
The President was happy to pose for photographs before the party began.
And some 2400 years after the Greek invasion by boat, another invasion, as Stari Grad’s picturesque bay came alive. Many thanks to Faros News for this excellent video above.
Thanks too to Igor Duzevic, for capturing moments of this historic moment in the town’s history throughout the day. Sometimes pictures are better than words. Happy Birthday, Stari Grad!
