An extraordinary royal accolade

From the mid-19th century until the early 1950s the site where The Bristol Bol is located today housed the magnificent Venetian baroque palace of the influential Martinis-Marchi family, reflecting their visionary, enlightened character. Not long after the palace was officially inaugurated, in 1868, one particular event indelibly marked the history of this site, and of the island.

In 1875, on April 23rd, Bol and the Martinis-Marchi palace welcomed the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I, as part of his grand Dalmatian tour. For more than a month the emperor traveled along the Adriatic coast, aboard the imperial yacht Miramar, accompanied by the steamer Adria. He visited 20 port cities, including Pula, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Makarska, Dubrovnik and concluded the journey in Rijeka. The tour was intended to showcase the emperor’s care for his dominions, spur economic development, secure political loyalty and highlight the rich cultural heritage of the region

In his on-board journal the emperor remarked on the warm and spectacular welcome he received in Bol, also praising Bol wine as the best in Dalmatia: “Bol has 1631 inhabitants. The town has a Dominican monastery and two public schools. The source of fresh water is precious for this island. Bol wine is the highest quality in Dalmatia. The people of Bol welcomed us with many bonfires on the hills so that their hospitality and joy could be seen from afar, as well as with illuminated fishing boats. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing widely and there was fog, as well as very large waves, so it was difficult to sail in. We were welcomed by: the mayor, politicians, municipal officials, priests, teachers, noblemen Martinis-Marchi, each of whom introduced himself and bowed... It was late when we left Bol…”

In the evening a ceremonial welcome dinner was organized in the Martinis-Marchi palace. The emperor admired the exquisite beauty of the palace’s sprawling, classically landscaped gardens, with an impressive variety of autochthonous Mediterranean flora. The park was a perfect reflection of the Martinis-Marchi family - renowned for their impeccable taste and their patronage of artists, artisans, and skilled craftsmen and landscape artists.

Today, even though the palace no longer exists, remnants of the park preserve the memory of the town’s, and the site’s, past. Alongside, another monument to the emperor’s visit, and the welcoming hospitality of the people of Bol, stands today. It is the picturesque stairs from the riva and Bol harbour to the entrance of The Bristol Bol, constructed in order to ensure a seamless and scenic path for the emperor to the Martinis-Marchi palace. The stairs are known as “krojeve skaline” - a name that commemorates the historic occasion, the illustrious guest and the noble heritage of The Bristol Bol site