Church of St. Roch in Gdinj – a small stone church in Dugi Dolac

On the western side of the broader area of Gdinj, in the old hamlet of Dugi Dolac, stands the Church of St. Roch – a small stone church whose history is significantly older than the current structure. It is located along the local road to Visoka, set apart from the main island road and surrounded by the typical landscape of eastern Hvar's interior.

The current church was built in 1891, but it stands on the site of a much older chapel that dates back to the 15th century. For this reason, St. Roch belongs to the older layer of sacred heritage in Gdinj, alongside the Old Church of St. George and the Church of St. Lucy.

Church on the foundations of a 15th-century building

The older chapel of St. Roch likely existed as early as the 15th century, with the first written mention occurring in 1627. At that time, it was recorded as a village chapel that did not serve for regular mass celebrations.

On its foundations, the current church was erected in 1891. This information is preserved on a stone plaque embedded in the facade, which states that the church was built in 1891 on the foundations of an older church from the 15th century and was renovated in 1985.

Simple stone architecture

The Church of St. Roch is a small and very simply shaped building, typical of those found in the old hamlets of eastern Hvar. The facade is made of stone, with a small circular niche or opening above the entrance, and a stone bell gable rising at the top of the facade.

Unlike the Old Church of St. George, there are no large side chapels or a more complex facade here. The church is modest in size, and its character is defined by its simplicity, stone construction, and location among the old houses and greenery of Dugi Dolac.

The interior is also simple. In the center of the altar space is a statue of St. Roch, the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

St. Roch and the tradition of Gdinj

The church is not only a historical monument. St. Roch holds a place in the religious tradition of Gdinj, and there is a mass celebration associated with the church that includes a procession through Dugi Dolac.

During the procession, the statue of St. Roch is traditionally carried by young people from Gdinj, making this small church a gathering point for the community at least once a year. Such customs demonstrate that small churches in the hamlets of Gdinj are not merely remnants of the past but part of the local identity that is still preserved.

Do not confuse it with the chapel of St. Roch

In the area of Dugi Dolac, there is another sacred site dedicated to the same saint, which may confuse visitors relying solely on map names.

This Church of St. Roch is located at the eastern end of Dugi Dolac and is the current building from 1891. At the western entrance to Dugi Dolac, there is a separate, much smaller chapel of St. Roch built by the Ćurin family in the early 20th century.

Thus, these are two distinct locations that should be noted separately.

Can the church be visited from the inside?

No regular visiting hours have been announced for the Church of St. Roch, so it should not be assumed that entry will be possible at every visit.

The church is used for religious occasions, especially during the celebration of St. Roch, when a mass is held and the traditional procession begins. Outside of such events, the doors may be locked.

If the goal is to specifically visit the interior, it is best to check in advance with the Parish of St. George in Gdinj for entry possibilities. The exterior of the church and its location can, of course, be viewed regardless of whether the church is open.

It is worth connecting it with a walk through old Gdinj

The Church of St. Roch is not a landmark that will draw most tourists to the far end of Hvar, but it is quite interesting as part of a tour of Gdinj. Dugi Dolac, with its old stone houses, provides context that is lost if viewed solely as an isolated sacred site.

A visit can be combined with the new parish church of St. George, the Old Church or Our Lady of Health, the Church of St. Roch, and other small churches and chapels scattered throughout the hamlets of Gdinj. This allows for a better understanding of how Gdinj is actually a fragmented old village composed of several smaller units.

Useful information

  • Name: Church of St. Roch
  • Location: Gdinj, Hvar Island
  • Area: Dugi Dolac
  • Position: eastern end of Dugi Dolac, along the road to Visoka
  • Current church: built in 1891
  • Older building: an older chapel associated with the 15th century existed at the same site and was first mentioned in 1627
  • Renovation: 1985
  • Architecture: small stone church with a bell gable
  • Interior: simple altar space with a statue of St. Roch
  • Interior visits: no regular visiting hours for tourists have been announced, and the church may be locked; for guaranteed entry, it is best to contact the Parish of St. George in Gdinj in advance
  • Access: the church is located about 200 meters north of the main state road D116; it is accessed via a local road through Dugi Dolac
  • Parking: there is no designated public tourist parking immediately next to the church; vehicles should be left in suitable places where they do not obstruct passage through narrow local roads
  • Important: do not confuse it with the smaller chapel of St. Roch at the western entrance to Dugi Dolac
  • Special feature: the current church is built on the foundations of a sacred building several centuries older