The Following the Cross Gallery, housed in the bell tower of the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary in Jelsa, is dedicated to a procession involving several villages. The gallery opened on 1 July 2026. Its exhibition brings together artefacts contributed by the communities of Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska. In this way, a single exhibition venue leads into a story connected to several places in Jelsa Municipality.

Experience the procession in the gallery

Guided storytelling tours explore the history, symbolism and distinctive features of the Following the Cross Procession. Tours are offered between 18:00 and 21:00; check the latest tour arrangements before your visit. The combination of objects and storytelling offers an insight into a tradition rooted in the participating village communities.

Historic traces across different places

Evidence from different periods can also be found beyond the gallery. Galešnik is a Late Antique fortress dating from the 6th century. Near Tor, the remains of a small hillfort and a historic watchtower lie on a hill southeast of Jelsa. Kaštilac Fortress stands at the highest point of the Glavice peninsula and has been listed as a cultural property of the Republic of Croatia since 2012. These three sites represent different forms of historic fortification; their names and dates help distinguish them.

In Vrboska, small bridges shape the village’s appearance. That is why it is known as Croatia’s “Little Venice.” A different historical perspective can be found in Mostir Bay on the island of Šćedro: there are the ruins of a Dominican monastery built in the late 15th century and abandoned in the 18th century, as well as the Church of Gospe od Milosrđa.

Museums and everyday history

The Viticulture Museum is located in the village of Pitve, two kilometres from Jelsa. It is an independent collection of the Jelsa Municipal Museum. On display are traditional tools for working in the vineyards, as well as equipment used to produce and store wine. This means the focus is not only on finished products, but also on the processes and equipment associated with viticulture and winemaking. Check the latest opening hours in advance.

Humac has a small museum with tools and keepsakes from everyday life in the past. Access arrangements may vary. Together with the collection in Pitve, it offers a different perspective on the past: here, the focus is on memories of daily life, while in Pitve, it is on tools and equipment related to viticulture.

Šćedro: landscape and trails

The island of Šćedro belongs to the Municipality of Jelsa and was designated a significant landscape in 1972. Its coastline is indented, and its vegetation includes plants typical of Mediterranean woodland and maquis communities. Signposted trails make it possible to explore the island on foot. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before setting out on a hike. In this way, the landscape can be seen as a distinct part of the discoveries in Jelsa Municipality, alongside its galleries, museums and historic sites.

Getting around between Jelsa, Pitve and Humac

The Na Vrh cycling route starts in Jelsa, passes through Pitve and Humac, and returns to Jelsa. Check the route and surface before setting off. For a different way to experience the connection between Jelsa and Pitve on foot, there is a Nordic walking route: it is 8 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty and takes about two and a half hours. Conditions may vary by season. The two routes can be distinguished by their stated mode of travel and—in the case of the Nordic walking route—by its length, difficulty and duration.

Jelsa’s square and harbour

The Pjaca in Jelsa, officially the Square of the Croatian National Revival, has cafés, ice-cream parlours, restaurants and small shops. It is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists and offers a point of reference for village life. Jelsa harbour has 54 berths for yachts, motor yachts and catamarans. As nautical information and harbour capacity can change, check the latest information before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ivan Dolac, Gdinj, Vrboska, Jelsa, Pitve, Zavala, Zastražišće, Vrisnik, Humac.

For the main travel overview: Hvar.