St George's Church in Gdinj – the current parish church from 1901

St George's Church is one of the most prominent buildings in Gdinj and serves as the village's parish church. It is located right next to the main road that runs through the settlement, in the part of Gdinj known as Nova Crkva, surrounded by tall cypress and pine trees.

Constructed in 1901, the church was built to replace the older St George's Church, which had become too small and dilapidated for the significantly larger population at that time. Worship was transferred to the new church at the beginning of the 20th century, along with a valuable portion of the inventory from the old parish church.

New and Old St George's Church

The two churches sharing the same historical title may easily confuse visitors exploring Gdinj for the first time. The current parish church is situated along the road through the village, while the old church is located approximately 800 metres to the northeast of the central part of Gdinj.

The old church is first mentioned in written sources in 1558. After the construction of the new church, it ceased to be a parish church and is now known as the Church of Our Lady of Health, or among locals as the Old Church. Therefore, both churches are worth observing together – one represents an older layer of the village's sacred heritage, while the other illustrates the development of Gdinj from the 19th to the 20th century.

Stone Church with a Three-Part Bell Tower

The new St George's Church was built as a single-nave stone structure with a square apse and a sacristy behind the sanctuary. The façade is simple yet distinctive, featuring a neo-Baroque portal, a circular rose window, and a three-part bell tower with a belfry.

The year 1901 is inscribed above the entrance. The bell tower houses three bells: the largest dates back to 1900, while the other two were made in 1925.

Valuable Interior and Items from the Old Church

The interior is considerably richer than one might expect from the church's simple exterior. The main marble altar was crafted in 1907 and features statues of St George, along with the church's co-patrons, St Quirinus and St Boniface.

Along the side walls are altars dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the church also houses part of the older inventory transferred from the former parish church of St George. Among these items are older paintings, wooden sculptures, an 18th-century baptismal font, and liturgical objects that connect the two Gdinj churches across several centuries.

The Church in the Everyday Life of Gdinj

In contrast to the Old Church, which is primarily a valuable historical monument, the new St George's Church remains an active parish church today. Thus, it is not merely a site for sightseeing but a part of the living religious and social life of Gdinj.

The area surrounding the church is enclosed by a stone wall, and there is also an old stone cross that has been relocated from the former cemetery near the old St George's Church.

A Brief Stop While Exploring Gdinj

The church serves as a practical stop for visitors driving through the interior of eastern Hvar towards the coves of Gdinj. It is located along the main island road, so there is no need to divert towards the more distant coastal coves for a visit.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the village's history, it is worthwhile to combine a visit to the Old Church and then explore other smaller sacred buildings in Gdinj, including the churches of St Roch, St Peter, and St Lucy.

Useful Information

  • Name: Parish Church of St George the Martyr
  • Local Area Designation: Nova Crkva
  • Location: Gdinj, Hvar Island
  • Year of Construction: 1901
  • Type: Active parish church
  • Style: Neo-styled stone church with neo-Baroque elements in the façade
  • Distinctive Feature: Three-part bell tower with three bells
  • Access: Directly along the main road through Gdinj
  • Parking: There is no large, organised tourist parking near the church; care should be taken not to obstruct traffic during a brief stop.
  • Old St George's Church: Located about 800 m to the northeast and known today as the Church of Our Lady of Health or the Old Church
  • Special Feature: The new church houses part of the valuable inventory transferred from the old parish church.