Sv. Nedjelja

Sveta Nedjelja or Svijeta Nedija, as the locals call it, is a small monastery built in a cave on the south side of the island of Hvar, above the village of the same name.

The south side of the island rises steeply from the sea all the way to the highest peak, the hill Sveti Nikola, which is 626 m above sea level. On many areas of the steep slope, the locals planted vines. For the most part, this is Plavac mali, which grows extremely well in these conditions and produces excellent wine. At a good two-thirds of the slope, at an altitude of 427 m, there is a small cave. The inhabitants of the island used it as a shelter in the Neolithic, and in the 16th century an Augustinian monastery was built in it.

Access

We can go to the monastery from the small port of Sveta Nedjelja, where there is enough space to moor 15 boats. If we arrived by car, it is best to find a parking space near the village of Sveta Nedjelja, which is a good 150 m higher. The path rises steeply. First we walk past the newer part of the village, where newer, especially apartment houses predominate. A little higher, in the southern part of the old village, is the wine cellar of the famous Croatian winemaker Plenkovič. It is known for its wines that achieve remarkable success. One of them has received the award for the best Croatian wine several times. The owner, Zlatan Plenković, is sadly deceased. When he was returning by ferry from Split in March 2016, he suffered a stroke on the ferry. When the captain of the ferry found out that the famous winemaker needed medical help, he turned the ferry around and sailed back towards Split. Despite immediate medical assistance on the ferry and fast transport to the Split hospital, he lost the fight for his life. Behind him remain the memory and top wines that must be tasted when visiting Sveta Nedjelja.

When we rise to about 150 m above sea level, we reach the old village of Sveta Nedjelja. The path winds between old stone houses built in a typical Dalmatian style. There are still around 130 locals living in the village, whom you will meet even if you head towards the monastery outside the summer season. The village is small. They have only a modest shop, a small school, but a large church.

The path winds between the streets. Markings should be followed so that there will be no need to return. If in doubt, ask the locals. They are very friendly but sparse. At an altitude of 200 m above sea level, the village ends. The path is marked with markings, which are not in the most noticeable places. The last part of the path is the steepest and the path becomes narrower and narrower. Caution when walking will not be superfluous. If you follow the right path, you will have to walk 2.4 km to the monastery (from the port of Sveta Nedjelja). You will rise to an altitude of 421 m. With moderate walking in the summer heat, you will need less than an hour. If you are in good shape, you will arrive in the monastery in 40 minutes.

Monastery

It is difficult to speak of a monastery in the true sense of the word. In the cave there are only its remains but a small church is slightly better preserved. The monastery was built in the 16th century and was in use until 1787. The church is modest with a small altar and a wooden bench. It is usually closed and secured with iron bars. However, if you are lucky, it will be open and you will be able to see the modest interior. It is illuminated only by daylight coming through two small wall windows. As every church, this one also has its own bell tower. Not as we are used to, but it was also placed in a cave. The shape of the bell tower is most reminiscent of one of the walls of the house with a window in which the bell is placed. The bell still works and you can ring it.

If you are in the mood, you can climb a few more meters along the path that continues to the left of the cave. After just a few meters, the cave opens. The ceiling reaches more than 10 m in height. Remains of the wall are also visible.

When you finish the tour, spend a few more moments with the exceptional panorama that is offered from the cave. In the eastern part of the horizon will be the island of Scedro, in the south island of Korcula, slightly closer to the ridges Lukavci, and in the west the island of Vis. Below you will be see exceptional view of the village of Sveta Nedjelja, vineyards and the harbor by the sea.