Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Svirče

The parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in Svirče is located on the foundations of the church of St. Elijah (mentioned in the Hvar Statute of 1331), which was mentioned during Valier’s visitation in 1579. However, a few years later, after Cedulin’s visit in 1586, the church of St. Mary Magdalene with the chapel of St. Elijah is mentioned. The parish of Svirče was founded in 1690.

The construction of the church ended in 1777, as evidenced by the inscription above the portal. Due to the increased number of inhabitants, the church was upgraded and expanded at the beginning of the 20th century. Today’s parish church is a building with a shallow and square apse, and an attached sacristy, and is of a unique shape like no other on the island of Hvar. The free-standing bell tower is located south of the main entrance. On the main facade is a Baroque portal with profiled door frames with diamond decoration at the bottom. The Baroque lintel has a round cushion and an open arched gable. The main altar from the late 18th century and the altar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with a statue of Our Lady in a niche have been preserved from the previous church.
The feast of St. Magdalene, Svirče celebrates every year on July 22.
The church is listed in the Register of Protected Cultural Properties of the Republic of Croatia.