Location
Villa Triptih, the Pearl of Hvar
Villa Triptih’s location puts it just 10 meters (32 feet) from the shore. Screened off by forest and located in a narrow blind alley in the romantic fishing village of Vrboska, it is a secluded getaway like no other. The village centre is only 800 meters from the villa, so you can walk there in just 15 minutes. Words cannot capture the charm of this rustic town with its quaint stone buildings, red roofs, and traditional walkways along the waterfront.
You will find two small supermarkets where you can shop for local food and conveniences, along with plenty of bakeries, restaurants, and cafés where you can savour Croatian delicacies and get to know the friendly locals.
Nearby, wine enthusiasts will be delighted to explore Ager (also known as “Hora”), the oldest continuously cultivated wine growing area in the world (Wine Guide Johnson 2017). This UNESCO protected site was originally cultivated by the Greeks clear back in 400 BC. This site is astonishingly well preserved, and still in use today. In fact, the land division system you see now is the same one which the Greeks developed all those centuries ago.
UNESCO Heritage
Along with Ager, there is another UNESCO heritage to explore and experience while you are staying at Villa Triptih—and that is the Za Krizen “Following the Cross” procession. This UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity practice dates back more than 500 years, and starts on Maundy Thursday evening. During the procession, a cross-bearer walks 25 kilometres in his socks or bare feet, never once pausing to rest.
There is actually a direct connection between Villa Triptih and the festival. The current owner was able to be the cross-bearer one year, an honour which he waited 20 years for. That is how coveted the position is—a testament to the rich Christian heritage of Hvar and the important role that festivals like these play in the island’s identity.
While there is much to see and do directly in and around Vrboska, you will want to plan time in your itinerary to venture into the surrounding region. Just seven kilometres (four miles) west of the village, you will find Stari Grad, established in 700 BC, currently one of the oldest cities in all of Europe.
To the east of Vrboska, you will discover another site with an ancient heritage. The caves here boast the oldest boat petroglyphs in the world, dating back to 4,000 BC.
While two of Croatia’s intangible UNESCO heritages are located on Hvar, there are 14 total in all of Croatia, which is the densest concentration of UNESCO intangible cultural heritages in Europe. Indeed, only three other countries on the planet boast more UNESCO intangible heritages than Croatia.
So when you do conclude your stay at Villa Triptih, be sure to explore some of these other wonderful cultural experiences on your journey along the Croatian coast. If you are ready to book, scroll down to leave us a message or check on open dates.