Cultural and Historical Heritage
The Island of Hvar, including Jelsa, has numerous cultural and historical monuments - churches, town squares, local parks, caves, and Hvar’s Ager (valley). The Island of Hvar, with its cultural and historical heritage, is one of the richest regions of the entire Adriatic coast and Croatia.
Civitas Vetus Ielsae (The Ancient City of Jelsa), Augustinian Monastery and Town Cemetery
One of the largest and most beautiful parks in Dalmatia was created in 1870 on alluvial terrain. The large poplars, pine and palm trees, acacias and oleanders, bay laurel and other Mediterranean plants add to the beauty of the park.
In 1923, as a gesture of respect and gratitude, the sculpture of Captain Nikola Dubokovic (1835 - 1912) - the work of sculptor Ivan Rendic - was placed in the park.
When the northern side of the park was developed in 1950 a sculpture of composer Antun Dobronic (1878 - 1955) - the work of an Academic sculptor by the name of Slavomir Drinkovic - was placed in the center.
St. Mary’s Church - Fortress
Our Lady of Health Church was built in 1535 at the top of Racic hill. The hill itself offers a beautiful view of Jelsa’s valley and the Port.
The church has been extended twice. The west wing and the steeple were built in 1863. Legend has it that the church's altar (Pala) was made by Palma il Giovane (the Younger, 1544 - 1628). Besides the altar there are two wooden statues from the XVIII ct. as well as a very valuable icon from the XVI ct. in a Renaissance frame.
Our Lady of Health is the patron saint of Jelsa and its surrounding villages, guarding against various illnesses. In honor of a centuries-long tradition the villagers from the central part of the Island gather together every year on November 21 to celebrate Holy Mass.
Our Lady of Health Church
Na brežuljku Račić, s kojeg se pruža lijep pogled na luku i Jelšansko polje, sagrađena je 1535. godine crkva Gospe od zdravlja. Crkva je dvaput dograđivana, a 1863. grade se zapadna lađa i zvonik.
U crkvi se nalaze oltarna pala koju predaja pripisuje Palmi Mlađem (1544. - 1628.), dvije drvene skulpture iz XVIII. st. te vrijedna ikona u renesansnom okviru iz XVI. st.
Gospa od zdravlja zaštitnica je Jelse i okolnih mjesta od bolesti, pa se, poštujući višestoljetnu tradiciju, 21. studenog, na njezin dan, stanovnici središnjeg dijela otoka okupljaju na službi Božjoj.
The Church of St. Roko
The Church of St. Roko was built in the second part of the XVI ct.; however, the first references to it were made in 1601. Since then additions were made several times and the church, including its bell tower comb, was renovated using visible Gothic and Romanesque elements. The church was last restored in 1999.
There is a painting at the altar of the Virgin Mary beneath the clouds. St. Anthony of Padova is on her right holding a naked infant and St. Rok is kneeling beside them lost in thought with a dog by his side watching him. Legend has it that the painting is the work of Palma il Giovane (the Younger, 1544 - 1628).
The Church of St. Mihovil
The Radasinic brothers built the Church of St. Mihovil in Gothic style in 1463 while in the second part of the XVIII ct. the Palaversic brothers extended it by adding a new altar and west-side façade in Baroque style.
"Lapidary" (collection of stone monuments)
In 1970, Hvar's Cultural Heritage Center, headed by Mr. Niko Dubokovic, Ph.D., placed the "Lapidary" in the space surrounded by the church-fortress, bell tower and protective wall. The Lapidary contains about twenty stone monuments dating back to ancient and mediaeval times.
The most significant ones are a tombstone dating back to Roman times, a relief made by Nikola Fiorentinac dating back to the XV ct., a Venetian Lion by the bell tower, a stone table that once belonged to a knight named Ivan Obradic and other monuments that are a testimony to the centuries-old history of Jelsa.
Perivoj (Public Garden)
One of the largest and most beautiful parks in Dalmatia was created in 1870 on alluvial terrain. The large poplars, pine and palm trees, acacias and oleanders, bay laurel and other Mediterranean plants add to the beauty of the park.
In 1923, as a gesture of respect and gratitude, the sculpture of Captain Nikola Dubokovic (1835 - 1912) - the work of sculptor Ivan Rendic - was placed in the park.
When the northern side of the park was developed in 1950 a sculpture of composer Antun Dobronic (1878 - 1955) - the work of an Academic sculptor by the name of Slavomir Drinkovic - was placed in the center.
Croatian Renaissance Square (Pjaca)
The square is situated right in the center of Jelsa. It slowly developed from the XVI ct. to the beginning of the XX ct. On the west side of the square there is a natural water spring, Slatina, which has been used by the local inhabitants since ancient times. In order to let the surplus water from the Slatina spring flow into the sea, a brook was created in 1847. In 1934, a fountain was built in the middle of the Square.
Trg Sv. Ivana
St. Ivan’s (St. John's) Square is one of the most beautiful squares from the Renaissance-Baroque era, with a small octagonal church dating back to the end of the XVII ct. The church is built in three different styles: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.
The Square and the surrounding streets took shape from the XV ct. to the XVII ct. and, from the architectural point of view, along with the civil houses built between the XVI and the XX ct. with Renaissance lamps and balconies, they are the most preserved part of Jelsa.
