Occupying the upper floor of the Arsenal building, the town theatre is one of Hvar's great showpieces, a lasting symbol of the town's place in Adriatic culture. Built by order of Venetian governor Pietro Semitecolo in 1612, it was intended as an expression of reconciliation between Hvar's nobles and the common folk, a space in which all could come together and be entertained. It is often dubbed the "oldest public theatre in Europe", probably due to the fact that it was a genuinely communal theatre, unlike the aristocrats-only testablishments of Renaissance Italy. It also served the recreational needs of sailors from the Venetian fleet, who often spent their winters here and needed a bit of entertaining to keep them off the sauce. Eighteenth-century descriptions of the theatre reveal the wide range of performances held, from plays to operas and the masked balls of the carnival season. The splendid interior, with painted ceiling and two tiers of boxes, was added in the early 19th century. On the same floor as the theatre is an art gallery. Tourists have the chance to enjoy a short film about the history of tourism in Hvar, as well as the latest development; the thrilling Ancient Hvar VR experience, a brilliant 10-minute virtual journey through Hvar as it once was.
As well as being a bucket-list tourist attraction the theatre is still very much in use, hosting performances throughout the year and serving as the town cinema in winter. Catching a movie in this historic space can be a stirring experience indeed.