Revelin Hvar

The Revelin Wing at Tvrdalj Castle

Founded by a Renaissance poet as an inn for 16th-century travelers, this refined noble residence inside Tvrdalj Castle yet again welcomes guests. A privileged, private wing within a UNESCO World Heritage classified fortress, it sits on Croatia’s lavender- and vineyard-striped Hvar Island in the Adriatic Sea.

Your chance to take up residence in a castle, this storied stone home occupies a wing next door to a contemplative Renaissance garden created by Croatia’s beloved, native nobleman-poet Petar Hektorović. 

The traditional castle home is inside the imposing fortress that dominates the tiny city of Stari Grad. Renovated in the spirit of its Renaissance humanist origins, the residence asks guests to examine their place in the world, seeking ancient wisdom to inspire change. Its reopening also reclaims a piece of Croatian history and seeks to cultivate community. Chateau collaborations include a photography exhibition with artist Vilma Matulić that features the houses remarkable camera obscura wall projections, and a publication with the Museum of Stari Grad to uncover the meanings of the garden’s mysterious poetic inscriptions.

The refined home's entry opens under a 16th-century stone balcony, revealing a space of romance and calm. Modern luxuries add to the old world ambiance—Brač limestone, Carrara marble, painted beams, polished antiques and neatly pressed linens—while a side courtyard offers dining under the stars.

Read more about the camera obscura at Revelin in our Stories section here.

AROUND

This vacation home rental in Croatia is located next door to Tvrdalj Castle’s famous fish pond, with views of the Dominican Monastery and Biankini Palace. The three-story, independent residence opens onto a historical, old town (Stari Grad) street, with the seafront and small port only a short stroll away. Tvrdalj Castle was built atop ancient Greek foundations from 384BC and is one of the city’s iconic landmarks, anchored in the lively center, so easily walkable to cafes and restaurants, shops, and the small port and beaches. 

Considered to be Croatia’s sunniest spot, Hvar is a sought-after beach destination that has become a glittering hotspot in recent years, a playground for yacht owners and the global jet set. The island is known for its wines, produced since antiquity, and for its fragrant lavender fields that cross the inland hills and valleys. Ancient villages and craggy peaks also dot the island, and Hvar offers isolated coves for swimming and sunbathing, footpaths for hiking, smooth surf for sailing, and UNESCO heritage sites for exploring.

LOCATION

Stari Grad, Hvar Island, Croatia. Nearest airports: Split; Dubrovnik

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June to September

Camera obscura photographs courtesy of Vilma Matulić