Dominican Monastery
The Dominican monastery of St. Peter Martyr was established in 1482 by friar German of Piacenza. After the Turkish invasion of Hvar Island it was fortified with two round towers.
The church itself, rebuilt in 1896, holds the tomb of the great Croatian poet Petar Hektorović and his mother Katarina. His verses in 16th century Croatian are carved into the stone above the entrance doors to the church.
The monastery’s numerous works of art can be found on church altars and the monastery museum, with the most beautiful of them being the large, painted, wooden Renaissance crucifix on the main altar. The most valuable painting by far is the Lamentation of Christ by Venetian master Jacopo Tintoretto (1518-1594), once located at Hektorović’s altar in the church. The museum holds the oldest Greek inscriptions ever found on Croatian soil, which testify to the turbulent life of the Greek town of Pharos, from 4th – 2nd century BC.
The monastery also has a large library with manuscripts and incunabula (first printed books). Part of this literary treasure is exhibited in the monastery’s museum.
The Dominican Monastery Museum is open to visitors from May to October, and all information is available on +385 (0)21 765 442.
