Lavender Festival - Hvar

If you are one of the lucky ones bidding farewell to June on the sunniest island in Croatia, you will have the chance to take home rosy-hued memories of a weekend in Velo Grablje, a magical village in the heart of Hvar. From the surrounding slopes of Velo Grablje, breathtaking views stretch over the open sea, and some of these hillsides are still adorned with lavender fields, blooming in all their glory during June and July. The lavender of Hvar remains famous worldwide, and the island itself is often called the Island of Lavender. However, the pioneers of lavender cultivation were based in Grablje—where, in 1892, the "Rosemary Cooperative" was founded, later evolving into the "Agricultural Cooperative." It brought together many island growers to produce essential oils, making Hvar one of the top ten lavender exporters in the world during the second half of the 20th century. Today, lavender cultivation is primarily for tourism purposes, and as of the 2011 census, only seven permanent residents remain in Velo Grablje. The Pjover Association for the protection and revitalization of Velo Grablje refuses to let this once economically vital village fade into history. For more than a decade, the Lavender Festival - Hvar has been held here—a must-visit event on Hvar. The festival offers a glimpse into the traditional life of lavender growers and oil producers through various workshops, cultural programs, and entertainment events. What Velo Grablje does not experience throughout the year, it comes alive within just two days, during the last weekend of June, when the lavender harvest traditionally begins. If you have rented an apartment, room, or holiday house on Hvar, take a break in Velo Grablje, breathe in the intoxicating scent of lavender, and immerse yourself in a tradition that the people of Pjover and their friends refuse to let fade into oblivion.