Lace From the Island of Hvar

Interesting souvenir on the island of Hvar is a unique kind of lace made of threads of agave leaves. Agave plant from the island of Hvar is the true queen of the island stone. It grows everywhere, even in the strangest inaccessible areas. The agave leaves are up to 2 meters long and 30 centimeters wide. The leaves are grey-blue color. Brown and sharp spines are located on the edge of the leaf. Water supplies are stored in the leaves. That water is used when a long dry period comes so the plant could survive.

Agave blooms only once in a hundred years and then it withers and dies. Five to six meters tree grows from the centre of agave plant during the flowering. It carries a large number of yellow-greenish flowers. Agave is used for fibers that produce the lace. Hvar lace is made from thin and solid filaments that were extracted from fresh agave leaves. The agave leaves need to be younger than 3 years.

The local sailors brought the first copy of agave lace from Tenerife to the island of Hvar. The lace is present on the island of Hvar since the 19 century. Benedictines from the island of Hvar are famous for making lace out of agaves threads. In Croatia, laces from agave leaves are made only by nuns in the Benedictine monastery in the town of Hvar on the island of Hvar.

The Benedictines of Hvar weave filaments during the southern and humid wind. There are no drafts for making lace of agave. Every sketch is in the nun's imagination. The lace cannot be washed or ironed. It is kept under the glass because it needs to be fully protected.

Making the lace from agave got a place in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Hvar lace, together with the lace form Lepoglava and Pag is one of the seven intangible cultural heritage elements having UNESCO recognition.

There is a legend about agave threads. Neolithic people that inhabited the Grapceva spilja caught fish by a net made out of agave threads.

Mario is a writer that works at Hvar Travel agency, describing the rich natural and cultural heritage of the island of Hvar.

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