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

In the old part of Zastražišće known as Donje Polje, you will find the Chapel of Our Lady of Snow, a small stone church with a history that dates back to the early 17th century. Nestled among houses and old courtyards, it is much more modest than the parish church of St. Nicholas, but its location within the settlement illustrates how small churches were once integral to the daily lives of island hamlets.

The present chapel is a simple stone structure with its entrance facing north, towards the village and the island road. Although small, it stands as a testament to nearly four centuries of Zastražišće's history.

Built before 1627

The chapel was erected by Grgur Hvistonjić shortly before 1627. At that time, it already featured 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 chapel 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, characterised by stone houses, courtyards, and narrow passages that have retained much of the village's former appearance.

The chapel underwent restoration 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 chapel is linked to a restoration completed in the 19th century.

After the restoration, the church was reconsecrated on 5 August 1877, and since then has been known as Our Lady of Snow. This date is significant, as 5 August 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 title by which the chapel is known today.

A simple stone church with a bell

The appearance of the chapel reflects its role as a small village church. It is built of stone, featuring a plain façade and a small belfry with a bell.

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, gifted to the church by Ivo Kuzmičić.

In contrast to the grand parish church of St. Nicholas situated on the hill above the village, this chapel lacks monumental features – the value of Our Lady of Snow lies in its simplicity and its integration among the houses of Donje Polje.

What can be found inside?

The old altar houses an altar painting created after the 19th-century restoration, depicting the Virgin Mary alongside St. Dominic and St. Roch.

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

The chapel is small, allowing the entire space to be viewed almost immediately upon entry, but it is the altar, the painting, and the older sacred items that give it the character of a historical village church.

Can it be visited inside?

For the Chapel 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 chapel may be locked. If it is particularly important to see the interior, it is advisable 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 appreciated alongside the surrounding old part of Zastražišće. Donje Polje consists of stone houses, courtyards, and narrow local streets, and within the same area, there are smaller chapels and an old public cistern.

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

If you are already visiting Zastražišće and the parish church of St. Nicholas, it is easy to include Our Lady of Snow in a brief exploration of the older parts of the village.

Useful information

  • Name: Chapel of Our Lady of Snow
  • Other historical names: Chapel 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: restored 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 Mount Carmel
  • Interior visits: no regular schedule for tourist visits; the chapel 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, approached via a local road through the settlement
  • Parking: there is no large designated tourist parking immediately by the chapel; 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 chapels of Zastražišće, with continuity since the early 17th century