Velo Grablje, also known as Veliko Grablje, combines cultural and historical monuments with a rural landscape and a lavender tradition. This offers three different perspectives for planning your trip: churches and their history, a cultural programme centred on lavender, and a walking route to Malo Grablje and onwards towards Milna.
A place with a long history
Veliko Grablje preserves archaeological and cultural and historical monuments spanning the period from prehistory to modern times. These include the Church of St Vitus, dating from the 9th to the 12th century. The parish church of Saints Cosmas and Damian was rebuilt in 1886; its wall paintings date from 1913–1914. The buildings represent different historical periods: St Vitus reflects an early period, while the parish church brings together a 19th-century rebuilding and early 20th-century paintings. This chronology links early church history with later architectural and artistic changes.
Lavender as a cultural theme
The Levande festival celebrates the lavender heritage through a cultural programme. The 2026 edition included lavender harvesting, demonstrations of traditional lavender oil production, local food, workshops, exhibitions and cultural performances. The programme combines harvesting and oil production with culinary and cultural elements. The churches can be placed in their historical context based on their dates; visiting the festival, however, depends on the dates for the relevant travel year. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and programme details for your intended travel year.
Landscape and route
Around Veliko Grablje, stone cairns, olive trees, lavender, rosemary, heather and sage shape the rural landscape. Lavender is not the only feature; trees, stone cairns and other herbs are also part of the scenery. Walks offer a chance to experience this variety on foot. One specific walking route leads from Veliko Grablje to nearby Malo Grablje; from there, it can continue through a canyon towards the shores of Milna. Malo Grablje and Milna are separate settlements. Trail conditions may vary, so check them before setting out.
Plants and local products
The local production tradition extends beyond lavender. Veliko Grablje is associated with essential oils made from lavender and rosemary, as well as olive oil; honey is also associated with rosemary, lavender, heather and sage. The products have different associations: the essential oils are linked to two plants, honey to four, while olive oil is a product category of its own. Several herbs are therefore part of both the landscape and local tradition. This connection between plants and products adds another cultural perspective to the history of the churches.
Discover more destinations: Brusje, Zaraće, Milna, Hvar, Sveta Nedjelja
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