St. Roch's Church in Gdinj – a small stone church in Dugi Dolac

On the western side of the broader Gdinj area, in the old hamlet of Dugi Dolac, stands St. Roch's Church – a small stone church whose history predates the current structure. It is located along the local road to Visoka, set apart from the main island road and surrounded by the typical landscape of eastern Hvar's interior.

The present church was erected in 1891, but it stands on the site of a much older chapel linked to the 15th century. For this reason, St. Roch is part of the older layer of Gdinj's sacred heritage, alongside the Old Church of St. George and the Church of St. Lucy.

A church built on the foundations of a 15th-century structure

The earlier chapel of St. Roch likely existed as far back as the 15th century, with its first mention in written records occurring in 1627. At that time, it was recorded as a village chapel that did not serve for regular mass celebrations.

On its foundations, the current church was built in 1891. This information is preserved on a stone plaque embedded in the façade, which states that the church was constructed in 1891 on the foundations of an older 15th-century church and was renovated in 1985.

Simple stone architecture

St. Roch's Church is a small and very simply designed building, typical of those found in the old hamlets of eastern Hvar. The façade is made of stone, with a small circular niche or opening above the entrance, and a stone bell gable rising at the top of the façade.

Unlike the Old Church of St. George, there are no large side chapels or a more complex façade here. The church is modest in size, and its character is derived from its simplicity, the stone material, and its position among the old houses and greenery of Dugi Dolac.

The interior is also straightforward. In the centre of the altar space stands a statue of St. Roch, the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

St. Roch and the tradition of Gdinj

The church is not merely a historical monument. St. Roch holds a significant place in Gdinj's religious tradition, and the church is associated with a mass celebration that includes a procession through Dugi Dolac.

During the procession, the statue of St. Roch is traditionally carried by young people from Gdinj, making this small church a focal point for gatherings at least once a year. Such customs illustrate that small churches in the hamlets of Gdinj are not just remnants of the past but are part of a local identity that is still preserved.

Do not confuse it with the chapel of St. Roch

In the Dugi Dolac area, there is another sacred site dedicated to the same saint, which may confuse visitors relying solely on map names.

This St. Roch's Church is located at the eastern end of Dugi Dolac and is the building from 1891. At the western entrance to Dugi Dolac, there is a separate, much smaller chapel of St. Roch, built by the Ćurin family in the early 20th century.

Thus, these are two distinct locations that are worth noting separately.

Can the church be visited inside?

No regular visiting hours for tourists have been announced for St. Roch's Church, so one should not expect to enter the interior on every visit.

The church is used for religious occasions, particularly during the celebration of St. Roch, when mass is held here and the traditional procession begins. Outside of such events, the doors may be locked.

If the aim is to specifically view the interior, it is best to check in advance with the Parish of St. George in Gdinj for entry possibilities. The exterior of the church and its location can, of course, be viewed regardless of whether the church is open.

It is worth linking it with a walk through old Gdinj

St. Roch's Church may not be a landmark that draws most tourists to the far end of Hvar, but it is quite interesting as part of a tour of Gdinj. Dugi Dolac, with its old stone houses, provides context that is lost when viewed solely as an isolated sacred site.

A visit can be combined with the new parish church of St. George, the Old Church or Our Lady of Health, St. Roch's Church, and other small churches and chapels scattered throughout Gdinj's hamlets. This way, one can better appreciate how Gdinj is actually a sprawling old village made up of several smaller units.

Useful information

  • Name: St. Roch's Church
  • Location: Gdinj, Hvar Island
  • Area: Dugi Dolac
  • Position: eastern end of Dugi Dolac, along the road to Visoka
  • Current church: built in 1891
  • Older structure: an earlier chapel linked to the 15th century, first mentioned in 1627
  • Renovation: 1985
  • Architecture: small stone church with a bell gable
  • Interior: simple altar space with a statue of St. Roch
  • Interior visits: no regular visiting hours for tourists; the church may be locked; for guaranteed entry, it is best to contact the Parish of St. George in Gdinj in advance
  • Access: the church is located about 200 m north of the main state road D116; accessed via a local road through Dugi Dolac
  • Parking: there is no designated public tourist parking immediately next to the church; vehicles should be parked in suitable places that do not obstruct narrow local roads
  • Important: do not confuse it with the smaller chapel of St. Roch at the western entrance to Dugi Dolac
  • Special feature: the current church was built on the foundations of a centuries-old sacred structure