Church of Our Lady of Health – votive church and viewpoint above Jelsa
On the Račić hill, just above the center of Jelsa, stands the Church of Our Lady of Health – one of the notable landmarks in Jelsa worth visiting for both the church itself and its location.
From here, the view extends over Jelsa, the harbor, and the Jelsa field, while the church is surrounded by olive trees and typical Mediterranean landscape. Although not large, Our Lady of Health has held a special place in the religious life of Jelsa and the surrounding villages for centuries.
It was built as a votive church for sailors, and Our Lady of Health is traditionally revered as the protector of Jelsa and its surroundings from illness.
16th-century church on the site of an older chapel
The current church dates back to 1535, when it was erected on the site of an earlier medieval chapel.
From the beginning, it has been associated with sailors and their vows. This is not unusual for Jelsa, a place that developed a strong maritime tradition, especially during the 19th century, with its ships sailing far beyond the Adriatic.
However, the 16th-century church did not look as it does today. Over time, it has been expanded twice, with the most significant change occurring in 1863, when the western nave and bell tower were built. Therefore, the current appearance mainly belongs to the 19th century, although the core of the building is several centuries older.
Votive church of Jelsa's sailors
Our Lady of Health was not established merely as another village church.
From the outset, it has had the character of a votive church for sailors, a place where prayers were offered for the protection of those going to sea and gratitude was expressed for safe returns.
This connection is particularly meaningful in Jelsa, where the sea has determined economic and daily life for centuries.
As a result, the church holds value that is not only architectural. It belongs to that layer of Jelsa's history where maritime activity, faith, and family life were deeply intertwined.
Valuable artworks inside
Although it appears simple from the outside, the church houses several valuable artworks.
The most notable is the altarpiece attributed to Palma il Giovane, a Venetian painter who lived from 1544 to 1628.
The church also contains two wooden sculptures from the 18th century, as well as a valuable icon from the 16th century set in a Renaissance frame.
For this reason, the interior is worth seeing when the church is open, although it does not operate as a site with regular daily tourist visits.
Our Lady of Health – protector of Jelsa from illness
The veneration of Our Lady of Health in Jelsa has a centuries-old tradition.
She is considered the protector of Jelsa and the surrounding areas from illness, and her feast day is celebrated on November 21.
On this day, the church becomes a gathering place for believers from the central part of Hvar Island. In the days surrounding the feast, masses are held for individual parishes, and believers traditionally come to the church as pilgrims from their places.
This custom shows that Our Lady of Health is not just a historical monument above Jelsa, but also a living site of local religious tradition today.
One of the most beautiful views of Jelsa
Even if the church happens to be closed, the ascent to it is worthwhile due to its location on the Račić hill.
The area around the church offers an open view towards Jelsa, its harbor, and the valley known as Jelsa field. The center of the town can be seen from a completely different perspective than from the waterfront.
Official tourist guides of Jelsa include Our Lady of Health among the places from which it is worth viewing the town and the surrounding landscape.
There is a particularly beautiful contrast between the sea and the harbor below the church and the olive trees surrounding the hill.
Olive trees on the slope towards the church
The area around Our Lady of Health has been thoroughly landscaped during the last major renovation.
The works were completed in 2013, and in addition to the restoration of the church, the surroundings were also arranged. The slope leading to the church has been planted with olive trees, creating a harmonious integration into the Mediterranean landscape.
Therefore, visiting Our Lady of Health is not just a visit to a sacred building. A short walk towards the hill gradually leads away from the built-up part of Jelsa to a quieter space among the olive trees.
Can the church be visited from the inside?
It is important to note a significant difference compared to the main parish church in Jelsa.
The Church of Our Lady of Health is used only on special occasions and does not have a published daily tourist visiting schedule. It opens primarily for masses and religious events, especially during the feast of Our Lady of Health in November.
Therefore, during a typical summer visit, it is not guaranteed that entry to the interior will be possible.
If it is particularly important to see the altarpiece, icon, and other artworks, it is best to check in advance with the Jelsa Parish about the possibility of entry. Even when locked, the church is worth visiting from the outside for its architecture, olive groves, and views from Račić.
It is worth including in a tour of Jelsa
Our Lady of Health is not a landmark that requires half a day to visit.
It makes the most sense as part of a walk through Jelsa: after the old core and the church-fortress of the Assumption of Mary, one can head towards Račić hill, moving away from the waterfront to view the town from above.
Such locations clearly demonstrate that Jelsa is not just a coastal promenade and harbor. A few minutes away from the center, olive groves, old paths, and hills that have been connected to the daily life of the town for centuries begin.
The Church of Our Lady of Health thus combines three elements that make it worth visiting: the history of Jelsa's sailors, a living local tradition, and one of the most beautiful views of Jelsa.
Useful information
- Name: Church of Our Lady of Health
- Location: Račić hill above Jelsa
- Year of construction: 1535, on the site of an older medieval chapel
- Original purpose: votive church for sailors
- Current appearance: mainly dates from the 19th century
- Extensions: western nave and bell tower built in 1863
- Artworks: altarpiece attributed to Palma il Giovane, two wooden sculptures from the 18th century, and a 16th-century icon in a Renaissance frame
- Feast day: Our Lady of Health, November 21
- Tradition: on the feast day, pilgrims from Jelsa and surrounding areas visit the church
- View: of Jelsa, the harbor, and Jelsa field
- Surroundings: the slope around the church is landscaped and planted with olive trees
- Last major renovation: completed in 2013
- Entry to the church: no regular tourist visiting hours; mainly used for special occasions and may be locked outside of them
- Special feature: historical votive church of Jelsa's sailors and one of the best viewpoints just above the town
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