Church of Our Lady of Snow in Zastražišće – a small church in Donje Polje

In the old part of Zastražišće known as Donje Polje, there is the Church of Our Lady of Snow, a small stone church whose history dates back to the early 17th century. Nestled among houses and old courtyards, it is much humbler than the parish church of St. Nicholas, but its location within the settlement illustrates how small churches were once part of the daily life of island hamlets.

The present church is a simple stone structure with an entrance facing north, towards the village and the island road. Although small, it carries nearly four centuries of history of Zastražišće.

Built before 1627

The church was erected by Grgur Hvistonjić shortly before 1627. At that time, it already had an altar painting depicting the Virgin Mary and saints, and just two years later, it appears in records under the title Our Lady of Mercy.

Older documents also refer to the church by a name associated with its location – “of Donje Polje.” This is not coincidental, as Donje Polje is one of the historical parts of Zastražišće, with stone houses, courtyards, and narrow passages that have retained much of the village's former appearance.

The church was renovated during the 18th century and later became an auxiliary church of the parish of St. Nicholas.

How it became Our Lady of Snow

The current title of the church is linked to a restoration completed in the 19th century.

After the restoration, the church was reconsecrated on August 5, 1877, and since then it has been known as Our Lady of Snow. This date is significant as August 5 is celebrated in the Catholic Church as the feast of Our Lady of Snow.

The older name, Our Lady of Mercy, was gradually replaced by the name by which the church is known today.

A simple stone church with a bell

The appearance of the church corresponds to its position and role as a small village church. It is built of stone, with a simple façade and a small belfry.

Records from 1885 mention a roof covered with stone slabs above a semi-circular vault, while a new belfry was erected in 1893. The current bell dates from 1936 and was cast in Ljubljana, donated to the church by Ivo Kuzmičić.

Unlike the large parish church of St. Nicholas on the hill above the village, there is no monumentality here – the value of Our Lady of Snow lies in its simplicity and integration among the houses of Donje Polje.

What is inside?

The old altar features an altar painting created after the restoration in the 19th century, depicting the Virgin Mary along with St. Dominic and St. Roch.

The church also houses a Tyrolean statue of Our Lady of Carmel, acquired in the late 19th century. These details make the interior more interesting than one might assume from its very simple exterior.

The church is small, so the entire space can be viewed almost immediately upon entering, but it is the altar, the painting, and the older sacred objects that give it the character of a historical village church.

Can it be visited inside?

For the Church of Our Lady of Snow, there is no regular schedule for tourist visits, so one should not assume that the doors will always be open.

Outside of religious events, the church may be locked. If it is particularly important to see the interior, it is best to check in advance with the parish of St. Nicholas in Zastražišće.

The exterior can be viewed during a walk through Donje Polje regardless of whether the church is open.

Donje Polje is worth a short walk

Our Lady of Snow is best experienced together with the surrounding old part of Zastražišće. Donje Polje consists of stone houses, courtyards, and narrow local streets, and in the same area, there are smaller chapels and an old public cistern.

This is not a classic tourist zone, but rather another example of inner Hvar that most visitors see only through the window of their car on the way to Vela Stiniva, Pokrivenik, or other coastal coves.

If you are already visiting Zastražišće and the parish church of St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Snow can easily be included in a brief exploration of the older parts of the village.

Useful information

  • Name: Church of Our Lady of Snow
  • Other historical names: Church of St. Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of Snow
  • Location: Zastražišće, Hvar Island
  • Area: Donje Polje
  • Construction date: shortly before 1627
  • Builder: Grgur Hvistonjić
  • Current title: Our Lady of Snow since 1877
  • Architecture: small stone church with a belfry and bell
  • Belfry: renovated or erected in 1893
  • Current bell: from 1936
  • Interior: altar painting of the Virgin Mary with St. Dominic and St. Roch, and a statue of Our Lady of Carmel
  • Interior visits: no regular schedule for tourist visits; the church may be locked
  • For guaranteed entry: it is best to check in advance with the parish of St. Nicholas in Zastražišće
  • Access: located within Donje Polje and accessed via a local road through the settlement
  • Parking: there is no large designated tourist parking immediately next to the church; cars should be left in suitable places without obstructing local traffic
  • Nearby: old stone houses and courtyards of Donje Polje
  • Special feature: one of the older preserved churches in Zastražišće, with continuity since the early 17th century