ALONG THE FORTIFICATION LINE
Surrounded by a system of fortifications and a natural barrier (the small islands that protect the approach to the town harbour), Hvar throughout its history played a vital role as a well-defended maritime stronghold along the eastern Adriatic coast. This importance is also reflected in the town’s natural resources, especially the large fertile fields in the east and its natural water sources. For centuries, the basis of the defensive line of the town of Hvar and its harbour was the Fortica fortress (also known as the Španjola or Spanish Fort) and the city walls. The Fortica was erected above the northern part of the town on the site of a former Illyrian fort and a Late Antiquity fortification complex. The construction of the fortress began around 1282 and ended in approximately 1551. Despite later extensions and repairs, the present appearance of the Fortica mostly dates back to the 16th century. During French rule in Dalmatia (1806-1813), the town of Hvar was additionally fortified. A remarkable building from this period is the Napoljun (Napoleon) fortification, which was erected in 1811 on the hill of Sveti Nikola (on the site of the medieval Church of St. Nicholas) to the north-east of Hvar.
- Start 43º 10’ 20.755” N / 16º 26’ 30.304” E
St. Stephen Square; head in a northern direction into Ulica Kroz Grodu Street - 0.20 km arrival at the path towards the Fortica (Španjola) fortress
- 0.70 km next to the fortress, turn left onto the asphalt
- 0.80 km from the asphalt, turn onto the path to the right
- 1.40 km from the path, go onto the asphalt to the right
- 1.65 km take a sharp left into Jerka Mišetića Street
- 2.00 km from the asphalt, turn left onto the path towards the Napoleon fortress
- 2.75 km arrival at an asphalt road and turn right towards the Napoleon fortress; go around it and continue downhill along the asphalt
- 3.50 km from the asphalt, turn right onto a gravel path
- 4.30 km from the gravel path, turn left onto the trail towards the quarry
- 5.45 km behind the quarry, turn left from the asphalt onto a gravel path
- 6.15 km cross the main road and go onto a path that leads southwards
- 6.40 km continue straight on towards the south
- 6.45 km continue straight on towards the south
- 6.60 km turn left towards Pokonji Dol Beach
- 6.90 km from the path, go onto the asphalt next to Pokonji Dol Beach and continue along the road by the sea
- 9.58 km St. Stephen Square
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