Stari Grad Plain is a cultural landscape on the island of Hvar in Croatia that dates back to the 4th century BC. It was created by the ancient Greek colonists from Paros who divided the fertile land into rectangular parcels with dry stone walls. The plain is still used for agriculture today, mainly for growing grapes and olives. It is also a natural reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you want to visit Stari Grad Plain, you can buy a ticket at the Stari Grad Museum, which is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Mondays. The ticket costs 50 kuna (about 7 euros) and includes a guided tour of the plain and the museum. You can also rent a bike or a scooter to explore the plain on your own.
To get to Stari Grad Plain, you can take a ferry from Split or Dubrovnik to Stari Grad town, which is about 2 km away from the plain. You can also fly to Split airport and then take a bus or a taxi to the ferry port. The ferry ride takes about 2 hours and costs around 40 kuna (about 5 euros).
Some tips for visiting Stari Grad Plain are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the plain can be hot and dusty in summer.
- Bring water and snacks, as there are no shops or restaurants on the plain.
- Respect the nature and the culture of the plain, and do not litter or damage the stone walls or the trims (small stone shelters).
- Enjoy the scenic views of the plain and the surrounding mountains and sea.
Some tours that you can join to visit Stari Grad Plain are:
- Stari Grad Plain Bike Tour: A 3-hour bike tour that covers about 15 km of the plain, with stops at some of the most interesting sites, such as the ancient Greek watchtower Maslinovik, the trims, and the cisterns. The tour costs 250 kuna (about 34 euros) per person and includes bike rental, helmet, guide, and entrance fee to the museum.
- Stari Grad Plain Hiking Tour: A 4-hour hiking tour that covers about 10 km of the plain, with similar stops as the bike tour. The tour costs 200 kuna (about 27 euros) per person and includes guide and entrance fee to the museum.
- Stari Grad Plain Wine Tasting Tour: A 5-hour tour that combines a visit to the plain with a wine tasting at a local winery. The tour costs 350 kuna (about 47 euros) per person and includes guide, entrance fee to the museum, transportation, and wine tasting.
Prohibitions for visiting Stari Grad Plain are:
- Do not enter private property or fields without permission from the owners.
- Do not pick or eat any fruits or vegetables from the fields.
- Do not light fires or smoke on the plain.
- Do not disturb or harm any animals or plants on the plain.
What to see on Stari Grad Plain are:
- The ancient Greek land division system (chora), which is still visible on the plain and has been preserved for over 24 centuries.
- The dry stone walls that mark the boundaries of the parcels and provide shelter for animals and plants.
- The trims, which are small stone huts where farmers stored their tools and rested during work.
- The cisterns and gutters, which are part of the rainwater collection system that irrigated the fields.
- The Stari Grad Museum, which displays artifacts and information about the history and culture of the plain and its people.
