Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, Poljica

The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist is the most significant religious building in Poljica and one of the central places of life in this small village located on the eastern part of the island of Hvar. It is situated right next to the main road through the village, and its stone façade and tall bell tower are easily noticeable when passing through Poljica.

The current appearance of the church is the result of several centuries of extensions and renovations. Although the present structure is significantly larger than the original, the church of St. John the Baptist has been mentioned at the same location since the 16th century.

The Church Mentioned Since 1579

The first known written record of the church of St. John the Baptist in Poljica dates back to 1579, when it was mentioned during a church visitation. In the early 17th century, the church was consecrated along with a new altar, and in the following centuries, it underwent multiple repairs and adaptations to meet the needs of the local population.

The old church was considerably smaller than the current one. Due to moisture, deterioration, and the increasing needs of the village, it was thoroughly renovated and expanded to approximately double its size in 1940.

Poljica long belonged to the parish of Zastražišće, and the independent Parish of St. John the Baptist was established in 1924. This gave the church an even more significant role in the life of the village.

Stone Façade and Distinctive Bell Tower

The church is a simple stone structure with a traditional Dalmatian appearance. The main entrance, smaller openings, and a circular window stand out on the façade, while a tall bell tower is located on the northern side of the façade.

The bell tower construction began in 1926. It houses two bells: a larger one dedicated to St. John the Baptist and a smaller one to Our Lady of the Rosary. Its current appearance was completed in 1966 with the addition of a characteristic four-sided roof.

The church and bell tower together form one of the most prominent architectural features of Poljica and blend well with the modest stone architecture of the village.

What Can Be Seen Inside

The most important part of the interior is the main altar made of marble and stone, featuring a depiction of the Lamb of God. It was installed in the early 20th century, replacing an older wooden altar.

Above the altar, there is a wooden statue of St. John the Baptist from 1939.

Also noteworthy is the polychrome wooden statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from the early 20th century, located on the northern side of the church. This statue was crafted in Val Gardena, South Tyrol, an area known for its long tradition of quality wood carving.

The interior is not lavish, but several preserved altar and sculptural details nicely illustrate the importance the church has held for generations of Poljica residents.

Feast of St. John the Baptist

The patron saint of the parish and the namesake of the church is St. John the Baptist, whose feast is celebrated on June 24.

This is one of the most important days in Poljica, when locals, people of Poljica origin living elsewhere, and believers from surrounding parishes gather for the mass and procession.

Poljica Procession Za križen

Poljica has its own tradition of the Za križen procession during Holy Week. This is not part of the well-known UNESCO circle connecting Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj, and Vrboska, but a separate tradition of the eastern part of Hvar associated with Zastražišće and Vela Stiniva.

On Good Friday, the procession from Poljica starts early in the morning from the parish church of St. John the Baptist. The route leads to Vela Stiniva, where there is an old custom of lowering the cross to the sea as a symbolic blessing for fishermen, and then continues to Zastražišće and back to Poljica.

The entire circular route is approximately 13 kilometers long. Therefore, the parish church of St. John the Baptist holds an important place not only in the regular religious life of the village but also in one of the most interesting Holy Week traditions of eastern Hvar.

Can the Church Be Visited Inside?

The church does not have regular tourist opening hours and may be locked during the day. The interior is easiest to see during mass, the feast of St. John the Baptist, or other parish events.

If the goal is a special visit to the interior, it is not advisable to rely on the church being open at all times.

Access and Parking

The church is located in the village of Poljica, very close to the main island road D116, making access by car straightforward, and the entire route is paved.

There is no large designated tourist parking area next to the church. Nearby, there are smaller roadside spaces and areas around the church where vehicles can be parked when space is available, but this is rural space rather than a classic marked and paid parking lot.

Due to its location along the main road, care should be taken when parking to ensure that vehicles do not obstruct traffic or access to nearby houses.

Useful Information

  • First written mention of the church: 1579
  • Current appearance: the church was thoroughly renovated and approximately doubled in size in 1940
  • Parish of Poljica: independent since 1924
  • Bell tower: constructed in 1926, with the current four-sided roof completed in 1966
  • Main altar: marble and stone altar featuring the depiction of the Lamb of God
  • Notable statues: wooden statue of St. John the Baptist and polychrome statue of Our Lady of the Rosary
  • Feast of the patron saint: June 24
  • Za križen: the church is the starting point for the Poljica procession on Good Friday, linked to Zastražišće and Vela Stiniva
  • Interior visits: no regular tourist opening hours; the church may be locked; easiest access during mass or parish events
  • Car access: paved and possible almost to the church itself
  • Parking: no larger designated parking area; smaller available spaces are used nearby
  • Parking fees: no organized fees