St John and St Paul Church, Humac

St John and St Paul Church is situated on the edge of the old stone settlement of Humac, among cypress trees and right next to the historic core of the village. Although it is considerably younger than Humac itself, it has become one of its most recognisable structures and serves as the main place of worship for people whose families are connected to this former seasonal settlement of Vrisnik.

Church built in the late 19th century

The church was constructed in 1897, at a time when Humac was still actively serving the residents of Vrisnik during agricultural work in the vineyards, olive groves, and surrounding fields.

Humac was not a traditionally permanently inhabited village, but rather a place where people stayed for part of the year. Consequently, it does not have its own cemetery, while the church has become an important communal space for mass, the feast of the patron saint, and family gatherings linked to the village.

Simplistic stone architecture

The church is a single-nave stone building of simple rectangular shape that blends naturally with the old houses and dry stone walls of Humac.

The façade is made of neatly worked stone, featuring the main entrance and a circular opening above it. At the top, there is a stone bell tower with two bells and a cross.

The architecture is modest and devoid of lavish decoration, which reflects the character of Humac itself and the traditional lifestyle of the people who used this settlement.

Interior of the church

The interior is simple and adapted for occasional worship. Unlike larger parish churches on Hvar, there is no emphasis on a rich collection of artworks or a large number of altars. The value of the church lies primarily in its connection to Humac and the generations of people who have stayed here.

The church does not have regular tourist opening hours and may be locked outside of mass or local events. During the tourist season, it may be possible to request access locally, but this should not be relied upon as a consistent option. The best opportunity to view the interior is during mass or the celebration of the patron saint.

Feast of St John and St Paul

The feast of St John and St Paul is celebrated on 26 June and represents the most significant religious event in Humac.

On this day, residents of Vrisnik and descendants of families with homes and land in the Humac area come to the village. The otherwise very quiet village comes alive again, and the church becomes the centre of gathering.

St John and St Paul Church is not part of the traditional procession route 'Za križen', which connects six locations in central Hvar.

How to reach the church

The easiest way to reach Humac is by car from Jelsa via the D116 road towards the eastern part of the island, followed by a marked turnoff to the village.

Access to the area near Humac can be made by a regular car. The church is located on the edge of the settlement and is only a short walk from where vehicles can be parked.

Parking

There is no designated parking area directly by the church. Visitors use the parking space along the approach to Humac, which also serves other visitors to the village.

Parking is not organised as a conventional car park with marked spaces, barriers, or fees. During larger gatherings, particularly for the feast of St John and St Paul and during organised tours of Grapčeva Cave, there may be more vehicles than usual.

Visit as part of a tour of Humac

Visiting the church makes the most sense when combined with a tour of the entire ethno-eco village of Humac. From the church, one can continue through the stone passages between the old houses, courtyards, cisterns, and former agricultural buildings.

Humac is also the starting point for visiting Grapčeva Cave, making it easy to link the church, the village, and the cave into one excursion through the interior of Hvar Island.

Useful information

  • Year of construction: 1897.
  • Dedication: St John and St Paul
  • Feast day: 26 June
  • Location: on the edge of the ethno-eco village of Humac
  • Architecture: simple stone single-nave church with a bell tower for two bells
  • Interior viewing: no regular tourist opening hours; the church may be locked; easiest to view during mass or local religious events
  • Access by car: possible to Humac
  • Parking: no designated parking by the church; vehicles are left in the space along the approach to the village
  • Parking fees: no organised fees
  • Shade: provided by cypress trees near the church
  • Za križen: the church is not part of the traditional procession route 'Za križen'