Why does this matter?
The Arsenal below was built for repairing and storing galleys. Above it, Hvar founded its public theatre in 1612. The inscription reads ANNO SECVNDO PACIS MDCXII — marking 1612 as the second year of peace between rival social groups in the Hvar commune.
The inscription is small; the idea behind it is not. That imbalance is exactly why it deserves the stop.
What should you look for?
The building is obvious. The 1612 inscription is the find. Do not rush the photograph. First place the detail back inside the street, harbour or landscape that made it possible.
How to find it
- Go to the Arsenal on Hvar’s main square. Look above the entrance to the historic theatre for the stone inscription ending in MDCXII — 1612.
- Use the map as a final check, then look for the physical detail described above.
- Allow enough time to notice the surroundings instead of treating this as a pin to collect.
Is it worth the detour?
Yes—if you prefer a place with a story to another interchangeable viewpoint. This is not the biggest sight in Hvar. It is the one that makes the destination less generic.
