Jelsa

On the northern coast of the island of Hvar, in the shelter of a peninsula, is the the popular port and resort of Jelsa. Visitors are brought closer to Jelsa by its versatility of historical monuments, aromatic dishes, local produce and traditional festivals. Jelsa stretches itself out from both sides in an idyllic natural bay. To the west, you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of "Starigrad Plain" sitting adjacent to the picturesque village. The town of Jelsa includes about 3,500 residents whose main source of income includes tourism, agriculture and the production of honey and oil. There is a a seaplane that lands several times a day in Jelsa, transporting tourists to and from the airport. Furthermore, there is also a catamaran departuring once a day to Split.

Jelsa is rich in historic buildings. This includes the castle Church of St Mary from 1331- the parish church of the village. There is also the Our Lady of Health Church from 1535 whose magnificent altarpiece puts visitors in awe. On Saint Ivan's Square there is chapel sharing its name and built in the style of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The surrounding stone towers loom over the octagonal chapel which was built in the 17th century. From here you can drift through the surrounding streets that entice visitors with their rustic, stone-house Mediterranean charm.

The cuisine of Jelsa is dominated by fish, seafood, rosemary, walnuts, olives, figs and other Mediterranean products. You should definitely try the homemade honey, wine and grappa. If you're traveling to Jelsa during the peak season, you will hopefully be able to experience one of the traditional events. In addition to the Folklore Festival "Nights of Antun Dobronic", residents also organize a wine fair with music and dance.