Economy

The early signs of tourism on the Island reach far back into history, as far as ancient history and the Middle Ages, which is best seen by the remains of rustic villas (farm buildings and country houses) all over Hvar's Agar (valley). During the Middle Ages the Island was visited by many adventurers, naturalists, ethnologists and archaeologists that came to study plants, minerals and ancient monuments. Organized tourism began in 1868 with the establishment of The Hygienic Society of Hvar headed by Bishop Juraj Duboković. The first hotel with 13 single rooms and a restaurant was opened in Samohod-Dubokovićs' house. The first arrival of foreign guests is considered as being the beginning of modern and organized tourism on the Island. Apart from tourism and wine-growing, which are the main branches of the island's economy, the inhabitants are concerned with the rearing of livestock (famous Hvar lamb), the growing of aromatic plants (lavender, rosemary), olives and figs, and fishing which, due to the rich fishing grounds, has always been an important local industry. However, Hvar as a whole owes its prosperity to shipping. Although restricted in tonnage until the fall of the Venetian Republic, the island's small fleet provided a living for a large number of its urban and rural population. The first large oceangoing vessel to appear in Hvar after the fall of the Venetian Republic was used for the transport of wheat from Black Sea ports and the export of local products, primarily salted fish. Thus despite its well developed agriculture the island of Hvar owed its living and prosperity to shipping, which also provided the basis for the island's cultural development. Before the second half of the 19th century Hvar had no regular land or sea communications, people relying on the occasional small vessel. In the interior of the island there existed only the old Illyrian, Greek and Roman roads recorded in the statute of 1331, for the island had derived no benefit from the road construction projects of the Napoleonic era. Hvar obtained its first regular shipping link with the mainland in the 1850s, and its first regular daily service at the beginning of the 20th century. After the liberation at the end of the Second World War the island began to develop at a rapid rate. Sućuraj in the east, Stari Grad in the centre, and the town of Hvar are connected with the mainland by regular ferry-boat services. Apart from the fast motor ships which link Hvar with all major centers along the Adriatic coast the towns of Hvar and Jelsa are linked with Split by local shipping services. Default.aspx?tabid=330