St. George's Church in Sućuraj – The Patron Saint After Whom the Place is Named
The parish church of St. George is one of the most important landmarks in Sućuraj, not only as the main church of the village but also because St. George gave his name to Sućuraj. An older church dedicated to this saint existed centuries before the current building, and its foundations can still be seen in the churchyard.
The present church was built in 1897 in the Neo-Romanesque style, after the old medieval church was demolished due to deterioration at the end of the 19th century. The new building was erected immediately next to the site of the old church and today, along with the nearby monastery, forms one of the most valuable historical complexes in Sućuraj.
At first glance, it is a harmonious, relatively simple island church, but the interior hides several details that make it particularly interesting – altars transferred from the older church, a statue of St. George slaying the dragon, and a stone memorial plaque from 1655 inscribed in Bosančica.
Sućuraj is Named After St. George
The connection between Sućuraj and St. George is much older than the current church.
In the courtyard, the remains of the foundations of the older church can be found, and local historical tradition places the beginnings of the sacred complex back in the early Middle Ages. In the 13th century, the church of St. George was built at this site, which is explicitly mentioned in the Hvar Statute of 1331.
It is from this church that the name of the place originated. The old form "Sut Juraj", or the name associated with St. George, gradually evolved into the present Sućuraj.
Thus, St. George is not just one of the saints to whom the local church is dedicated – he is a protector so deeply connected to the place that his name remains in the very name of Sućuraj.
The Current Church from 1897
The old church served the residents for centuries, but by the end of the 19th century, it had deteriorated to the point that a decision was made to build a new one.
The current parish church was completed in 1897, during a period when Sućuraj was modernizing under Austro-Hungarian rule and acquiring a number of new public buildings.
It was built in the Neo-Romanesque style, and its floor plan is shaped like a cross. The main entrance faces south, while above the façade rises a bell tower with three bells.
In terms of dimensions, it is not monumental, but it fits well into the old core of the village and the surrounding stone architecture.
The Foundations of the Old Church are Still Visible
One of the most interesting details is actually located outside the current building.
In the courtyard in front of the church, the foundations of the old church of St. George, mentioned as early as 1331, can be seen, which was demolished during the construction of the current church.
This allows visitors to see two different phases of Sućuraj's history in the same place – the more modern parish church from the 19th century and the traces of a much older sacred space.
Next to the church is a historical monastery complex, whose history dates back deep into the Middle Ages. The entire area is therefore worth observing as a historical whole, rather than just as an individual church building.
The Main Altar and St. George with the Dragon
The main altar is dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Sućuraj.
It features a statue depicting the most famous motif associated with the saint – St. George slaying the dragon.
This motif is repeated in a large round painting on the ceiling of the church and on the church flag. Because of this, the figure of St. George visually dominates the interior and constantly reminds of the connection between the protector and the place.
This connection is also summarized in the traditional message on the church banner, which calls upon St. George to protect Sućuraj.
The Altar of Our Lady of Health
The western altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Health.
Her statue is traditionally taken out of the church on her feast day and carried in a procession through Sućuraj. The procession passes through Gornja and Donja Banda, two historical parts of the village, thus linking religious tradition directly with the space of old Sućuraj.
Such processions are not only events for visitors but also a way in which centuries-old local tradition is still maintained.
The Altar of Our Lady of the Belt from the Old Church
The eastern altar is dedicated to Our Lady of the Belt and is particularly interesting because it was transferred from the old church of St. George.
This means that part of the interior of the older church has been preserved and incorporated into the building from 1897.
Thus, the church is not a completely new structure that replaced the old building, but a place where certain elements of the older sacred space continue to live in the new church.
The Stone Plaque in Bosančica from 1655
One of the most valuable historical details in the church is the stone plaque from 1655, inscribed in Bosančica, or Croatian Cyrillic.
It was placed by Duke Petar Kulušić in honor of the Bishop of Makarska Fra Bartul Kačić Žarković.
The bishop resided in Sućuraj during the 17th century as the Makarska Riviera was under Ottoman rule at that time. Sućuraj was on the edge of Venetian territory and played an important role as a safe refuge for the local population and clergy arriving from the mainland.
The plaque is therefore much more than a decorative inscription – it is a small but very concrete trace of the time when Sućuraj was located on the border of different political and cultural worlds.
The Church and the Old Monastery
Next to the church is a historical monastery that belongs to the oldest preserved buildings in Sućuraj.
Local tradition places its beginnings very early, and it is known for certain that it was restored in 1309, as confirmed by an inscription on the building.
For centuries, the monastery and church were the center of religious life in the village. Today, their stone complex, along with the remains of the old church in the courtyard, forms one of the places where one can best understand how much older the history of Sućuraj is than the current waterfront, ferry port, and tourist settlement.
Location in Gornja Banda
The church is located in the old part of Sućuraj known as Gornja Banda, a few minutes' walk from the waterfront and the center of the village.
It can be reached via narrow local streets among stone houses, so it is best to combine the visit with a walk through the old town.
In this relatively small area, one can see St. George's Church, the old monastery, the remains of the old church, Fortica, St. Anthony's Church, and other traces of the village's centuries-old history.
Visiting the Interior
St. George's Church is an active parish church, not a museum with all-day tourist access.
Therefore, it should not be assumed that the interior will always be open. The safest opportunity for entry is before or after mass, during religious events, or when the church is open during the day.
If the doors are closed, it is still worthwhile to visit the courtyard, see the foundations of the old church, and view the entire historical complex from the outside.
Parking and Access
Due to its location within the old core, there is no need to attempt to drive directly in front of the church.
Sućuraj is small, and the church can be easily reached on foot from the center. If arriving by car from another part of Hvar, it is more practical to leave the vehicle in a public parking area in the wider central area and continue on foot.
This type of visit also allows for an opportunity to explore the old part of the village, which could easily be missed when passing by by car.
Useful Information
Location: Gornja Banda, Sućuraj
Type of Site: Parish Church
Dedication: St. George, Patron Saint of Sućuraj
Current Church: Built in 1897
Style: Neo-Romanesque
Floor Plan: Cross-shaped
Bell Tower: Bell gable with three bells
Old Church: Mentioned in the Hvar Statute in 1331
Remains of the Old Church: Visible in the courtyard
Notable Features: Statue of St. George slaying the dragon, altar of Our Lady of Health, altar of Our Lady of the Belt, and the stone plaque in Bosančica from 1655.
Connection to the Name of the Place: Sućuraj is named after St. George
Access: Best on foot from the center
Parking: Public spaces in the wider central area
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