St. Peter's Church, Vrboska – One of the Oldest Churches on Hvar by the Harbor Entrance

St. Peter's Church is located right by the sea at the entrance to Vrboska harbor and is one of the oldest preserved church sites on the island of Hvar. It is small, simple, and easy to overlook, but it holds significant historical importance as it is mentioned as early as 1331, at a time when the present-day settlements of Vrboska and Jelsa did not yet exist.

In contrast to the monumental fortress church of St. Mary of Mercy or the richly adorned St. Lawrence Church, St. Peter's is a modest stone chapel whose value lies primarily in its age, location, and the continuity of this site over nearly seven centuries.

First Mentioned in 1331

St. Peter's Church is first mentioned in the Hvar Statute from 1331.

The document describes communal pathways and the boundaries between Pitava and Vrbanja, specifically noting that this occurs before the establishment of the current settlements of Vrboska and Jelsa.

As a result, St. Peter's Church is considered one of the oldest churches on Hvar and an important witness to the period preceding the development of Vrboska as a fishing and maritime settlement.

The Current Church is Not Entirely Original

The church we see today is the result of several centuries of destruction and restoration.

The original structure was destroyed in the early 15th century and was rebuilt in 1469.

Subsequent renovations were carried out, and the church and the bell above the entrance were last thoroughly restored in 1999.

Despite these restorations, the chapel has retained its simple Dalmatian character – a small stone building with a narrow façade, a bell above the entrance, and very few decorative elements.

Statue of St. Peter and Nikola Firentinac

The most valuable artistic item associated with the church is the statue of St. Peter, a work by Nikola Firentinac, one of the most important sculptors of the Croatian Renaissance.

The original statue is no longer located in this small chapel. It has been moved to the parish church of St. Lawrence in Vrboska, where the conditions for its preservation are safer.

A copy of the original statue is located by St. Peter's Church, allowing visitors to see how the saint was depicted.

If you wish to see the original, you should visit St. Lawrence Church in the center of Vrboska after St. Peter's.

A Small Church in an Important Location

The location of the church is not coincidental.

It is situated right by the sea, at the entrance to the deep and naturally protected Vrboska harbor. For centuries, maritime traffic has flowed through this passage to the settlement, and the small church remains one of the first historical structures encountered when entering old Vrboska from the sea.

Today, it is surrounded by a marina, boats, and more modern facilities, but due to its small size and simple architecture, it still appears as a remnant of a much older landscape.

Can It Be Visited Inside?

St. Peter's Church does not have reliably published regular tourist opening hours.

The doors are often closed, so visits should primarily be planned as an external tour. If the church is open for worship or a special occasion, it is possible to peek inside the simple interior.

If seeing the interior is important to you, it is best to inquire at the parish church of St. Lawrence or at the tourist office in Vrboska.

The original statue of St. Peter is not located here, but in St. Lawrence Church.

St. Peter's Church and the Procession Za Križen

St. Peter's Church is not the main starting point for the Vrboska procession Za Križen.

The procession from Vrboska begins at the parish church of St. Lawrence and returns there after the night procession. Therefore, St. Peter does not play the same role in the procession as St. Lawrence or the fortress church of St. Mary.

Its significance is more historical than liturgical.

How to Get There?

The church is located at the entrance to Vrboska harbor and can easily be included in a walk through the town.

It takes only a few minutes to reach it on foot from the center of Vrboska. The most pleasant route is along the coast, passing by boats and the marina.

A car is not necessary for the visit.

Parking

The church does not have its own parking for visitors.

The nearby ACI marina has its own parking, but it is part of the marina and should not automatically be considered public parking for church visitors.

If you are arriving by car, it is best to use public parking in Vrboska and continue the rest of the way on foot.

How Much Time is Needed for a Visit?

A visit to the church itself takes about ten to fifteen minutes.

If the doors are closed, the visit will be limited to viewing the façade, the statue, and the immediate surroundings. If the church is open, it is worth taking a brief look at the interior.

It makes the most sense to include it in a walk that also covers St. Lawrence Church, the fortress church of St. Mary of Mercy, and the Fishermen's Museum.

Why Is It Worth Stopping By?

St. Peter's Church is not a landmark that impresses with its size.

It is worth seeing precisely for the opposite reason – it preserves one of the oldest documented traces of the sacred history of Vrboska and this entire part of Hvar in a very small space.

Knowing that the church was mentioned as early as 1331, before Vrboska and Jelsa even existed as present-day settlements, gives its simple stone façade a completely different significance.

Useful Information

  • Type of site: historical small church by the sea
  • First written mention: 1331
  • Historical significance: one of the oldest church locations on the island of Hvar
  • Location: at the entrance to Vrboska harbor, right by the sea
  • Restoration: the church was restored in 1469 after earlier destruction
  • Last major restoration: the church and bell were restored in 1999
  • Statue of St. Peter: original work by Nikola Firentinac
  • Original statue: preserved in the parish church of St. Lawrence
  • By the church: there is a copy of the original statue
  • Interior visits: no regularly published tourist opening hours and the church is often locked
  • Procession Za Križen: the church is not the main starting point for the Vrboska procession
  • Distance from the center of Vrboska: a few minutes on foot
  • Parking: no dedicated parking; use public parking in Vrboska
  • Time for a visit: about 10 to 15 minutes
  • Best for: history enthusiasts, sacred heritage, and old Dalmatian architecture