St. Peter's Days in Vrboska – Traditional Boat Regatta, Blessing of the Boats and Seaside Festivities
St. Peter's Days is one of the most recognizable summer events in Vrboska, particularly preserving the maritime and fishing identity of the area. It takes place at the end of June, around the feast of St. Peter on June 29, with the central program focused on the sea, traditional wooden boats, and their Latin sails.
The most attractive part for visitors is the traditional boat regatta, during which wooden boats, which have served fishermen and sailors on Hvar for generations, can once again be seen in the Vrboska harbor. The regatta is traditionally accompanied by a blessing of the boats, seaside gatherings, local food, and evening music.
The exact schedule changes from year to year, but the essence of the event remains the same – the preservation of Vrboska's old maritime heritage and several days of socializing around the harbor.
Traditional Wooden Boats Under Sail Again
Vrboska has lived from the sea, fishing, and boats for centuries.
In times without engines, small wooden boats were powered by oars and Latin sails, the recognizable triangular sails on a long mast. Such vessels were used for fishing, transporting people and goods, and daily connections between island locations.
During the St. Peter's regatta, these boats once again set sail from the harbor.
This is why the event is not just an ordinary sports regatta. The value lies in the fact that these old vessels are not only preserved as museum pieces but are also actively used at sea, as they were intended.
Traditional Boat Regatta
The regatta is organized by the Vrboska Lantina Association, dedicated to preserving traditional wooden boats and the maritime heritage of Hvar Island.
Restored wooden boats with Latin sails gather at sea, and the best viewing spots are from the Vrboska waterfront and areas around the harbor entrance.
Unlike modern sailing regattas, here, speed is not the only point of interest. Each boat represents a part of the old island shipbuilding, fishing tradition, and sailing knowledge passed down through generations.
When several wooden boats simultaneously unfurl their sails in front of Vrboska, it creates a scene that is rarely seen on an ordinary summer day.
Lantina Association and the Preservation of Maritime Heritage
A significant part of the credit for preserving this tradition goes to the Lantina Association from Vrboska.
The association gathers enthusiasts of old wooden boats, restores them, uses them in regattas, and transmits knowledge about their construction and sailing.
The name of the association comes from lantina, the long slanted mast that carries the Latin sail.
Thanks to such activities, traditional boats have not disappeared from the Vrboska harbor and can still be seen under sail today.
Blessing of the Boats
As part of St. Peter's Days, a traditional blessing of the boats is also held.
St. Peter is deeply connected to fishing traditions, so the blessing of vessels naturally belongs to the program of a place that has lived from the sea for centuries.
Sailing through the harbor among the old wooden boats during these days gives Vrboska a particularly authentic atmosphere that is hard to experience during the rest of the season.
Church of St. Peter and the History of Vrboska
The feast gains additional significance due to the small Church of St. Peter at the entrance to the Vrboska harbor.
The church is mentioned in written sources as early as 1331, before Vrboska and Jelsa developed into their current settlements, making it one of the oldest ecclesiastical sites in this part of Hvar.
Because of this, the name of St. Peter in Vrboska is not only associated with the contemporary feast but also with the long history of the area around the harbor.
Festivities After the Regatta
Once the competitive part concludes, the program continues on land.
The announcement of the regatta results is traditionally followed by an evening celebration with food, drinks, and music, while the wooden boats remain an important part of the ambiance along the waterfront.
Instead of a formal regatta atmosphere, the evening transforms into a relaxed gathering of locals and visitors.
Musical performers and details of the gastronomic program change from year to year, so it is not necessary to tie the event to a specific band or menu in advance.
Balote and Island Socializing
The program traditionally includes a balote tournament.
Balote is one of the most popular social sports in Dalmatian towns, fitting well with the character of the entire event – this is not just a program for tourists but several days in which the local community participates.
Visitors find this combination appealing: boats and sails at sea, balote on land, and an evening celebration together.
When Are St. Peter's Days Held?
The feast of St. Peter is June 29, and the event takes place in the days surrounding this date.
The program does not have to last the same number of days each year. Sometimes the main regatta and festivities are held over one weekend, while in other years the program is spread over several days.
Therefore, it is best to plan for the last week of June and check the current annual schedule before arrival.
The date of the feast, June 29, remains the same.
Where to Best Watch the Regatta?
The easiest place to stay is around the Vrboska waterfront and harbor.
As the boats leave the deep Vrboska bay towards the open sea, they can be seen from various parts of the shore. Good perspectives are also available from parts of the waterfront near the harbor entrance.
If you want to photograph the boats with their sails unfurled, it is worth arriving before the start of the regatta and finding a spot with an open view of the sea.
A Good Event for Families
St. Peter's Days are very suitable for families.
Children find the old wooden boats and sails particularly interesting, and the daytime program does not have the character of a large night party. In the evening, the atmosphere intensifies with music and festivities, but the entire event remains tied to the open space of the waterfront and harbor.
This is one of the events in Vrboska that can easily be followed throughout the day.
Arrival and Parking
During the main program, the center of Vrboska is best explored on foot.
If you are arriving by car from Jelsa, Stari Grad, or another part of Hvar, it is best to leave your vehicle in a public parking area in the wider center and then continue on foot to the waterfront.
On the day of the regatta and evening festivities, more people come to Vrboska than on a regular June day, so it is advisable to arrive early.
Why Is It Worth Attending?
St. Peter's Days are one of the few events on Hvar where traditional maritime heritage can be seen in motion, at sea.
Old wooden boats, Latin sails, the blessing of the boats, the regatta, and the evening festivities naturally belong to Vrboska – a place that has been strongly connected to fishing and the sea for centuries.
If you are on Hvar at the end of June, this is one of the best times to see Vrboska outside the usual rhythm of beaches and restaurants.
Useful Information
- Event Name: St. Peter's Days / Feast of St. Peter and Traditional Boat Regatta
- Location: Vrboska, Hvar Island
- Period of Event: End of June
- Feast of St. Peter: June 29
- Main Event: Traditional Boat Regatta
- Sails: Traditional Latin sails
- Regatta Organization: Lantina Association Vrboska
- Blessing of the Boats: Traditional part of the program
- Evening Festivities: Food, drinks, socializing, and music
- Balote: Tournament is a traditional part of the program
- Exact Schedule: Changes from year to year
- Best Viewing Spot: Vrboska waterfront and harbor area
- Family-Friendly: Yes
- Parking: Use public parking in the wider center of Vrboska and continue on foot to the waterfront
- Best For: Enthusiasts of maritime heritage, traditional boats, sailing, photography, and authentic island festivities
- Follow updates here: https://www.facebook.com/Lantina.Vrboska/
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