St. George's Church in Gdinj – Current Parish Church from 1901

St. George's Church is one of the most prominent buildings in Gdinj and serves as the current parish church of the village. It is located right next to the main road that runs through the settlement, in the part of Gdinj known as Nova Crkva, surrounded by tall cypress and pine trees.

It was built in 1901, when the older St. George's Church became too small and dilapidated for the needs of the significantly larger population at that time. Worship was transferred to the new church at the beginning of the 20th century, along with a valuable portion of the inventory from the old parish church.

New and Old St. George's Church

The two churches sharing the same historical title may easily confuse visitors exploring Gdinj for the first time. The current parish church is located along the road through the village, while the old church is about 800 meters northeast of the central part of Gdinj.

The old church is first mentioned in written sources in 1558. After the new church was built, it ceased to be a parish church and is now known as the Church of Our Lady of Health and among the locals as the Old Church. Therefore, both are worth observing together – one showcases the older layer of the village's sacred heritage, while the other represents the development of Gdinj at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century.

Stone Church with a Three-Part Bell Tower

The new St. George's Church was constructed as a single-nave stone building with a square apse and a sacristy behind the sanctuary. The façade is simple but recognizable by its Neo-Baroque portal, circular rose window, and three-part bell tower with a belfry.

The year 1901 is inscribed above the entrance. The bell tower houses three bells: the largest dates from 1900, while the other two were made in 1925.

Valuable Interior and Items from the Old Church

The interior is significantly richer than one might expect from the church's simple exterior. The main marble altar was made in 1907 and features statues of St. George and the church's co-patrons, St. Quirinus and St. Boniface.

Along the side walls are altars dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the church also preserves part of the older inventory transferred from the former parish church of St. George. Among these items are older paintings, wooden statues, an 18th-century baptismal font, and liturgical objects that connect the two Gdinj churches across several centuries.

The Church in the Daily Life of Gdinj

Unlike the Old Church, which is primarily a valuable historical monument, the new St. George's Church is still an active parish church today. Therefore, it is not only a site to visit but also a part of the living religious and social life of Gdinj.

The area around the church is enclosed by a stone wall, and next to it stands an old stone cross that was moved from the former cemetery near the old St. George's Church.

A Brief Stop While Touring Gdinj

The church serves as a practical stop for visitors driving through the interior of eastern Hvar towards the coves of Gdinj. It is located along the main island road, so no detours to distant coastal coves are necessary for a visit.

For a more complete picture of the village's history, it is worthwhile to combine a visit to the Old Church and then to other smaller sacred buildings in Gdinj, including the churches of St. Roch, St. Peter, and St. Lucy.

Useful Information

  • Name: Parish Church of St. George the Martyr
  • Local Area Designation: Nova Crkva
  • Location: Gdinj, Hvar Island
  • Year of Construction: 1901
  • Type: Active parish church
  • Style: Neo-styled stone church with Neo-Baroque elements in the façade
  • Recognizable Detail: Three-part bell tower with three bells
  • Access: Directly along the main road through Gdinj
  • Parking: There is no large organized tourist parking near the church; care should be taken not to obstruct traffic during a short stop
  • Old St. George's Church: Located about 800 m northeast and is now known as the Church of Our Lady of Health or the Old Church
  • Special Feature: The new church preserves part of the valuable inventory transferred from the old parish church