Stari Grad is located on the northern side of the island of Hvar and is not only the oldest village on the island, but is also one of the oldest on the Adriatic islands. It has been ruled by Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans under the name of pharos, Pharia and eventually Stari Grad after the old Venetian name Civitas Vetus. Its turbulent history has left many ancient and mediaeval monuments such as the Church of St. Ivan built on ancient foundations or the Church of St. Rocco, Stari Grad's patron saint since the 16th century. The most famous local monument is probably Tvrdalj castle which dates back to the 16th century. This beautiful fortified villa was owned by Petar Hektorović, the famous Croatian writer which has now been turned into a beautiful rustic complex with a park and a fish pond.