The ‘Following the Cross’ Procession Route Marked Out

In conjunction with the Hvar Mountaineering Association, the Jelsa Municipality Tourist Board has marked out and signposted the Procession route. This is good news for visitors to our island who want to follow the route of the centuries-old ‘Following the Cross’ (‘Za križen’) Procession at any time of the year.

The all-night Procession round six villages between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is particular to the central area of Hvar Island. It has a profound cultural and spiritual significance and was inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Marking out the route makes it possible for visitors to make their own individual pilgrimages, in the footsteps of the countless devotees who have walked the route over the centuries.

The original plan was to mark the route with metal signposts. However, the decision was taken to use more discreet painted signs depicting a black cross within a yellow circle. This was considered a much less invasive way of marking the paths.

At certain key points there will be information notice-boards about the Procession tradition.

Having the Procession route marked out will be especially welcome for those who are unable to take part during Holy Week, but who would like to experience the tradition while at the same time enjoying Hvar’s beautiful scenery. Covering a distance of about 22 kilometres, one passes through picturesque landscapes, olive groves and vineyards, linking together churches and chapels between the six settlements which comprise the circular route.

Outside of the Holy Week event, you can choose to follow the route on foot, walking or running, or even by bicycle, as a unique way of delighting in Hvar Island’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and a special spiritual tradition.