Jelsa is a small town and also a municipality in Croatia, Hvar Island within Split-Dalmatia County.
Jelsa is situated on the northern and southern side of the central part of the island. It has a mild climate with warm winters and pleasant summers; the whole area is reach in Mediterranean vegetation.
The present Jelsa was founded as a port for the village of Pitve in the 14th century. The town developed from fishing and agriculture into a ship-building and maritime centre, especially during the 19th century. The town prospered, and became the administrative capital for the central district of the island of Hvar. During the 19th century, it was one of the most significant maritime, shipbuilding and trade centers of the Adriatic.
Today Jelsa is an important tourist centre for the island, with regular passenger catamaran services to Split. The oldest hotel in Jelsa dates to 1911.
Jelsa and whole Island of Hvar has been known since ancient times as important strategic and nautical location and it’s cultural and natural resources. It is popular tourist destination with unspoiled Mediterranean nature, quality wine and great local cuisine.
The island provides guests with a great number of various sports and recreational services: the existing tennis courts and mini-golf, which were built near the hotels, Boats with motors, speed boats, bicycles, motorcycles and cars can be rented from the appropriate agencies. Information about the diving school and other activity offer, you can get in the agencies and hotel reception areas and campsites.
Town of Jelsa, and surroundings has to offer numerous interesting cultural and historical monuments.
What to see in Jelsa
The old town of Jelsa
-Civitas Vetus Ielsae- was mentioned in the Statute of Hvar in 1331, remnants of the old protective wall can still be seen on the west side of the Gradina peninsula.
Tor
On the mountain overlooking Jelsa to the south is the massive fortress of Tor, 230 m above sea level, which was a Greek observation point, standing on an older Illyrian fort. The location is an ideal defensive position as it overlooks the islands of Hvar and Brač as far as Šolta and the Makarska coast.
Galešnik
The fortress stands on a high cliff above the ancient road leading to the eastern end of the island. Originally Illyrian, the fort was further developed in Roman times, and still inhabited during the early middle Ages. Its present name is believed to derive from the nobleman Galeša Slavogosti, who led an unsuccessful rebellion against Venice, in 1310, using this fortress as his stronghold.
Galešnik is situated 210 m above sea level. It is partially preserved.
St. Mary’s Church
The church dates back to 1331 and was fortified in the 16th century. Today the parish church has four chapels: two larger ones dating back to the 17th century and two smaller ones dating back to the 19th century.
The wooden statue of the Madonna on the main altar was brought here from the Sinj area on the mainland in 1539 by refugees. The statue is celebrated every year on St. Mary's Day.
St. John Church
It is a small, octagonal church dating from the 17th century situated on the square with same name. The beautiful Square and surrounding streets are the best preserved part of Renaissance-Baroque Jelsa, with houses from the 16th to 19th century. The church is built in three different styles: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.
Pjaca
Croatian Renaissance Square, known as the Pjaca, is right in the center of Jelsa, just off the waterfront. On the west side of the square there is a natural water spring, which has been used by the local inhabitants since ancient times. In 1934, a fountain was built in the middle of the Square.
Perivoj
The public garden created in 1870 by draining the marshy ground. The large poplars, pine and palm trees, acacias and oleanders, bay laurel and other Mediterranean plants add to the beauty of the park. The park contains sculptures.