Old Church of St. George in Gdinj – Our Lady of Health

On the eastern edge of Gdinj, slightly removed from the current center of the village, stands one of the oldest and most significant buildings in this part of Hvar – the former parish church of St. George. Today, it bears the title of Our Lady of Health, while the locals often simply refer to it as Old Church.

Unlike the new parish church of St. George located along the main island road, this church is situated in the older part of the settlement known as Stara Crkva. Surrounded by a stony landscape and old houses of Gdinj, it appears much more secluded and best illustrates what the sacred center of the village looked like before the expansion of Gdinj in the early 20th century.

A Church Mentioned as Early as 1558

The Old Church of St. George was built in the mid-16th century, with its first written mention occurring in 1558. It served not only Gdinj but was also connected to the parish of Bogomolje at one point.

The current appearance did not come about all at once. Over several centuries, the church was gradually expanded and adapted to the needs of the population, allowing for the recognition of Renaissance and Baroque elements.

In 1691, a chapel was added to the southern side of the church, while a similarly shaped northern chapel was added in 1750. During the 18th century, a sacristy was built, and the main nave was extended to the west, receiving a new façade with a Baroque portal and a stone rose window.

Stone Roof and Bell Tower

One of the most beautiful features of the Old Church is its traditional stone roof, which naturally blends into the dry landscape of eastern Hvar. The side chapels are also covered with stone slabs, while above the rose window on the main façade rises a stone bell gable.

The current three-part bell tower dates back to 1804. The combination of the simple stone structure, side chapels, and bell tower gives the church a distinctly different appearance from the significantly larger new parish church of St. George built in 1901.

Why a New Church of St. George Was Built

By the end of the 19th century, the Old Church had become too small for the population of Gdinj, and the building itself was already in poor condition. Consequently, a new, larger parish church of St. George was constructed in the central part of the settlement.

At the end of 1902, parish services were moved to the new church, along with most of the valuable movable inventory. The Old Church then ceased to be a parish church and received the title of Our Lady of Health.

Today, there are two churches associated with St. George in Gdinj – the new parish church along the main road and this several centuries older church in the area known as Stara Crkva.

Valuable Inventory Transferred to the New Church

After the cessation of regular parish functions, most of the valuable artworks from the Old Church were transferred to the new Church of St. George. Among them are paintings and wooden sculptures from the old altars, as well as other sacred items.

The old main altar painting of St. George was stolen during World War I. In the 1930s, a replica was made, which, along with other paintings, is preserved in the new parish church for better protection against moisture and decay.

Restoration After Decades of Decline

After the parish life moved to the new church, the Old Church gradually fell into disrepair for over a century. The condition eventually became so serious that there was a risk of collapse of certain parts.

A systematic restoration began in 2018. Among the significant interventions were the stabilization of the foundations and large cracks, the removal of trees that threatened the building, and the restoration of the roof, returning it to its traditional stone covering. The main access to the church was also improved.

Today, the Old Church is once again one of the most valuable historical details of Gdinj, and due to its age and architecture, it is protected as a cultural asset.

Can the Church Be Visited Internally?

The exterior of the Old Church and its historical surroundings can be viewed during a tour of this part of Gdinj, but the church does not have a published regular schedule for tourist visits. Therefore, one should not assume that the doors will always be open upon arrival.

If the goal is to see the interior, it is best to check in advance with the Parish of St. George in Gdinj for the possibility of entry. The church is occasionally used for religious life in the village, and the availability of the interior may also depend on church events or construction work on the building.

It is still worth visiting the Old Church even when it is closed. Its stone architecture, bell gable, side chapels, stone roof, and location among the old parts of Gdinj are best experienced from the outside.

Old Church – The Other Side of Gdinj

A visit to this church is worth combining with a walk through the older part of Gdinj. Tourists who only pass through the village along the main road may easily miss it, as it is not located near the current traffic center of the village.

This seclusion is part of its character. There are no tourist facilities or a developed square around the church, as one might expect near a larger parish church – here, stone, old houses, and a quieter rural landscape of inland Hvar dominate.

To understand Gdinj, it is particularly interesting to visit both churches of St. George. The Old Church shows an older layer of the village's history, while the new parish church of St. George represents the period when the settlement expanded and the former sacred center became too small.

Useful Information

  • Name: Old Church of St. George – Our Lady of Health
  • Local Name: Old Church
  • Location: Gdinj, Hvar Island
  • Position: area of Stara Crkva, east of the central part of Gdinj
  • Construction Period: mid-16th century
  • First Written Mention: 1558
  • Architecture: Renaissance-Baroque stone church with side chapels
  • Bell Tower: three-part stone gable from 1804
  • Former Function: parish church of St. George
  • Current Title: Our Lady of Health
  • New Church of St. George: located closer to the current center of Gdinj and assumed parish functions in the early 20th century
  • Interior Visits: no published regular visiting hours for visitors, and the church may be locked; for guaranteed entry, it is best to check in advance with the Parish of St. George in Gdinj
  • Access: the church is set apart from the main island road; a local access road leads to it through the area of Stara Crkva
  • Parking: there is no designated public parking immediately next to the church, so it is best to expect a short walk from the surrounding area
  • Protection: protected cultural asset
  • Significance: former parish church of Gdinj and one of the oldest preserved sacred buildings in the village