Town of Jelsa on island of Hvar in Dalmatia
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Welcome to Jelsa!
Hvar is a Croatian island that belongs to the middle group of the Dalmatian islands and is pleasantly situated in front of the eastern part of the Adriatic coast. The island belongs to the Split-Dalmatia County and is divided into 2 cities and 2 municipalities: the town of Hvar and town of Stari Grad and municipalities Jelsa and Sucuraj, which are further divided into municipalities and smaller resorts.
Jelsa is a small picturesque seaside resort situated in a bay on the north side of the island of Hvar. In the immediate vicinity of Jelsa, there are two highest peaks of the island: St. Nicholas on the west and Hum on the east.
Jelsa was named after the plant jolhe, deciduous tree generously present at the entrance of the resort. The first traces of life in Jelsa can be traced from prehistoric times, the period of Greek colonies and Roman empires. In the 8th century Jelsa was settled by Croats, just as the rest of the island of Hvar. Jelsa was mentioned in the 14th century as a port settlement Pitve formed around the Church of St. John. Resort experienced its high peak in the 19th century with shipbuilding boom and the development of trade and export of fish and other products.
Jelsa has a rich cultural and historical heritage with numerous sites and monuments like: the Church of the Assumption from the 14th century, the Church of Our Lady of Health built in year 1535 on Racic hill overlooking the harbor of Jelsa and Jelsa field, the Church of St. Roko from the second half of the 16th century, the Church of St. Michael built in year 1463, lapidarium with twenty stone monuments from the ancient and medieval times, Perivoj - a beautiful park created in 1870 at the alluvial area, the main square in the center-Piazza, Square of St. John - a remarkable example of Renaissance and Baroque heritage and the oldest part of the Jelsa with small octagonal church of St. John from the 15th century, Church of St. Luke situated in the bay 4 km east from Jelsa in the immediate vicinity of the archeological site from Roman times.
Traditionally, the main activity in Jelsa for many years was olive growing, fishing and sailing. Tourist bum of this idyllic place occurred 60-years ago when Jelsa acquired the name of Saint Tropez of our former state. Jelsa fully justified this name that can proudly bear even today thanks to its natural beauties that include extremely rich vegetation, dense pine forests, sandy beaches and numerous bays, a remarkable historical heritage and high quality tourist offer, consisting of cultural and entertainment programs, supreme accommodation facilities, various sports and recreational activities, and quality restaurants.
All listed attractions are only one part of the incredible beauty that offers Jelsa. Rich gastronomy, the famous wine Plavac- grown on the slopes of nearby mountains, and various fish specialties are just a prelude to much much more of what this magical destination has in offer for you.
If you are intrigued by the story of this little Mediterranean paradise, come and check for yourself if the story is really true!
Hvar is a Croatian island that belongs to the middle group of the Dalmatian islands and is pleasantly situated in front of the eastern part of the Adriatic coast. The island belongs to the Split-Dalmatia County and is divided into 2 cities and 2 municipalities: the town of Hvar and town of Stari Grad and municipalities Jelsa and Sucuraj, which are further divided into municipalities and smaller resorts.
Jelsa is a small picturesque seaside resort situated in a bay on the north side of the island of Hvar. In the immediate vicinity of Jelsa, there are two highest peaks of the island: St. Nicholas on the west and Hum on the east.
Jelsa was named after the plant jolhe, deciduous tree generously present at the entrance of the resort. The first traces of life in Jelsa can be traced from prehistoric times, the period of Greek colonies and Roman empires. In the 8th century Jelsa was settled by Croats, just as the rest of the island of Hvar. Jelsa was mentioned in the 14th century as a port settlement Pitve formed around the Church of St. John. Resort experienced its high peak in the 19th century with shipbuilding boom and the development of trade and export of fish and other products.
Jelsa has a rich cultural and historical heritage with numerous sites and monuments like: the Church of the Assumption from the 14th century, the Church of Our Lady of Health built in year 1535 on Racic hill overlooking the harbor of Jelsa and Jelsa field, the Church of St. Roko from the second half of the 16th century, the Church of St. Michael built in year 1463, lapidarium with twenty stone monuments from the ancient and medieval times, Perivoj - a beautiful park created in 1870 at the alluvial area, the main square in the center-Piazza, Square of St. John - a remarkable example of Renaissance and Baroque heritage and the oldest part of the Jelsa with small octagonal church of St. John from the 15th century, Church of St. Luke situated in the bay 4 km east from Jelsa in the immediate vicinity of the archeological site from Roman times.
Traditionally, the main activity in Jelsa for many years was olive growing, fishing and sailing. Tourist bum of this idyllic place occurred 60-years ago when Jelsa acquired the name of Saint Tropez of our former state. Jelsa fully justified this name that can proudly bear even today thanks to its natural beauties that include extremely rich vegetation, dense pine forests, sandy beaches and numerous bays, a remarkable historical heritage and high quality tourist offer, consisting of cultural and entertainment programs, supreme accommodation facilities, various sports and recreational activities, and quality restaurants.
All listed attractions are only one part of the incredible beauty that offers Jelsa. Rich gastronomy, the famous wine Plavac- grown on the slopes of nearby mountains, and various fish specialties are just a prelude to much much more of what this magical destination has in offer for you.
If you are intrigued by the story of this little Mediterranean paradise, come and check for yourself if the story is really true!
