Hvar in Opcina Hvar, Split-Dalmatia, Croatia — Central and Southeastern Europe

Porta Maestra

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 28, 2018

1. Porta Maestra Marker

Captions: (top) Old postcard from 1908; (bottom The inscription erased in late 17th cent. by the decision of the Venetian Senate.

Inscription. Only the English text (bottom) has been transcribed. To view the Croatian text (top), click on the marker image to enlarge and display it.

City walls enclose the northern part of the city and they are connected with the Frotica fortress. Their building started in the 13th cent. and they got the present shape during the 14th and 15th cent. Top of the walls is fortified with a battlement with merlons, crenels and a walkway. This is reinforced with square towers at several places. On the southern wall toward the main square two gates were opened out of which the western one has the monumental portal in the Gothic style. It is called the Main Gate (Porta Maestra) and the Gate of the Palm-tree (Porta del datallo) from the 15th cent. In the 16th cent. this gate was also called the Market Gate (Porta de mercado)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 43° 10.357′ N, 16° 26.527′ E. Marker is in Hvar, Splitsko-dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), in Opcina Hvar. Marker is on Kroz Grodu close to Nike Karkovica. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Kroz Grodu 14, Hvar, Splitsko-dalmatinska 21450, Croatia. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City Walls, 15th cent. (here, next to this marker); Užižić Palace (Hektorović Palace), 15th cent.

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(here, next to this marker); Paladini Palace, lower, 15th - 19th cent. (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Stephen's square / Piazza, 15th cent. (within shouting distance of this marker); Clock Tower / Leroj, 15th cent. (within shouting distance of this marker); Benedictine Convent and Church of St. Anthony the Abbot, 17th - 18th cent. (within shouting distance of this marker); Arsenal / Historical Shipyard, 14th-17th cent. (within shouting distance of this marker); Jakša Palace, 15th cent. (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hvar.

More about this marker. There is only foot traffic inside Hvar's Old Town district.

Porta Maestra and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 28, 2018

2. Porta Maestra and Marker

The marker is at the left side of the gate.

Porta Maestra image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 28, 2018

3. Porta Maestra

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.