Hvar commune
1278
Under the influence of powerful Venice, island’s centre is moved from Stari Grad to Hvar. Hvar becomes a centre of dioceses (which consists of Hvar, Brač, and Vis) and it is a centre of communal government.
1420
Hvar once more occupied by Venice and remains a part of it until 1797. Within Venetian state city of Hvar is the main military and naval station on the Adriatic and an important transit centre. It is the time when cultural development is based on agriculture, fishing, sailing and trade. In this period Hvar built its recognisable urban character, and brought the highest spiritual values (numerous poets, playwrights, historians and theologists). The first citizen’s theatre, founded in 1612, is certainly the most important part of the heritage.
(M. Petrić)
