Hvar in the Modern Age

Today, Hvar is a popular vacation island in Dalmatia. But beyond the sea and the beach, the island boasts a turbulent history shaped by Venice, the Habsburg Monarchy, and Yugoslavia. This book traces the history of the Adriatic island of Hvar over half a millennium, from the beginning of Venetian rule in the 15th century to the end of Yugoslavia in the late 20th century. The history of Hvar contributes to our understanding of modernity, the transformation of states and identities, and transnational interconnections in the Adriatic and Southeast Europe. This book examines how the island of Hvar has changed over the course of the last few centuries, focusing on how its inhabitants have shapedand in turn been shaped bypolitical upheavals, cultural influences, and economic transformations. Rather than portraying Hvar as an isolated island, the book presents it as a dynamic place closely intertwined with European history. At its core, the book explores identity: how the people of Hvar have understood themselves over time. Another central theme is modernization. During the 20th century, Hvar shifted from a predominantly agricultural and maritime economy to one increasingly dependent on tourism. This brought economic growth but also new challenges, such as balancing development with the preservation of local traditions and the environment. The island became a symbol of a broader transformation evident elsewhere of Southeast Europe. The islands history reflects central themes of Southeast European history: nationalism, empires, socialism, and globalization. By focusing in detail on a single place, the book makes these major historical processes more tangible and comprehensible. Overall, Hvar in the Modern Age: Identity and Change in Southeast Europe demonstrates that identity is not fixed but is constantly evolving. The people of Hvar are not passive objects of history; they are active participants who interpret the forces around them, adapt to them, and influence them. The book offers a nuanced and people-centered perspective on how communities cope with change while holding on to what matters most to them. Drawing on a wealth of archival materials from Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the book illuminates the complexity of the history of the Republic of Venice, the Habsburg Monarchy, and Yugoslavia from a bottom-up perspective, as well as the realities and challenges of island life in Southeast Europe during the modern era and how states dealt with them.