St. Peter's Church, Vrboska – one of the oldest churches on Hvar by the harbour entrance

St. Peter's Church is situated right by the sea at the entrance to Vrboska harbour and is among the oldest preserved church sites on the island of Hvar. It is small, simple, and easily overlooked, yet it holds significant historical importance as it is first mentioned in 1331, at a time when the present-day settlements of Vrboska and Jelsa did not exist.

In contrast to the monumental fortress-like Church of St. Mary of Mercy or the richly adorned Church of St. Lawrence, 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 referenced in the Hvar Statute from 1331.

The document describes communal pathways and the boundaries between Pitava and Vrbanj, or the Vrbanj field. It is particularly interesting that this occurs before the establishment of the current settlements of Vrboska and Jelsa.

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

The current church is not entirely original

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

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

Later modifications were made, 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.

The 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 significant 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 more secure.

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 the Church of St. Lawrence in the centre of Vrboska after St. Peter's.

A small church in an important location

The church's location is not coincidental.

It is positioned right by the sea, at the entrance to the deep and naturally sheltered Vrboska harbour. 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 the Church of St. Lawrence.

St. Peter's Church and the Za križen procession

St. Peter's chapel is not the main starting point for the Vrboska Za križen procession.

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-like Church of St. Mary.

Its significance is more historical than liturgical.

How to get there?

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

It takes only a few minutes to walk from the centre of Vrboska to the church. 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 this is part of the marina and should not be automatically 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 encompasses the Church of St. Lawrence, the fortress-like Church of St. Mary of Mercy, and the Fishing 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 sites on the island of Hvar
  • Location: at the entrance to Vrboska harbour, 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: a copy of the original statue
  • Interior visits: no regularly published tourist opening hours and the church is often locked
  • Za križen procession: the church is not the main starting point for the Vrboska procession
  • Distance from the centre of Vrboska: a few minutes' walk
  • Parking: no own parking; use public parking in Vrboska
  • Time for a visit: about 10 to 15 minutes
  • Best for: history enthusiasts, lovers of sacred heritage, and old Dalmatian architecture