The Cross-bearers’ Memorial

Na središnjem Trgu Križonoše ispred župne crkve Uznesenja Marijina 2018.g.  postavljen je brončani spomenik Križonoši, djelo poznatoga akademskoga kipara Kuzme Kovačića.

Skulptura predstavlja križ koji je poput jarbola usađen u hrid-otok. Konopima je privezan na brodu, a preko križa je prebačen plašt, kao što je to i na križevima u procesiji ”Za križen” koja se održava u noći Velikoga četvrtka i Velikoga petka. Istaknuti čavli na skulpturi znak su velike muke i patnje Sina Božjega , ali i svih križonoša koji križ nose pokorno i sa zahvalnošću dugih pet stoljeća. 

Procesija ”Za križen” uvrštena je na UNESCO-ov reprezentativni popis nematerijalne baštine svijeta. Više o procesiji ”Za križen” saznajte na linku

In 2018 a bronze memorial sculpture by celebrated academician Kuzma Kovačić was placed in Jelsa’s central Cross-Bearers’ Square in front of the parish church of Our Lady’s Assumption.

Dedicated to the Cross-bearers who over some 500 years have carried their parish Cross round six settlements in the Annual ‘Za Križen’ Procession, the sculpture represents the Cross as a mast planted in our rocky island. It is as if fastened to a boat by ropes, and over the Cross is a mantle, representing the veil which is placed over the Crosses as they are carried through the night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. The nails which stand prominently around the Cross sculpture are symbolic not only of Jesus’ torments, but also of the sacrifices and sufferings of the many Cross-Bearers who have taken part in this long-standing tradition in a spirit of penitence combined with gratitude.

The ”Za križen’‘ Procession tradition is inscribed in the UNESCO Representative Intangible Heritage List. You can read more details about this unique tradition and its origins here.