Selca Kod Bogomolja – Cultural Heritage and Nature on Hvar

Selca Kod Bogomolja lies at the eastern end of the island of Hvar, about ten kilometres from Sućuraj. The 2023 management plan links the settlement to the Natura 2000 area HR2001343 “Područje oko špilje Duboška pazuha”. Cultural landmarks in the area include a votive chapel and several caves associated with prehistoric finds.

Natural Area and Protected Habitats

The area associated with Selca Kod Bogomolja includes a preserved speleological site of habitat type 8310. This habitat type comprises caves and caverns that are closed to the public. The 2023 management plan lists 25 hectares of the existing area of the habitat type “Eumediterane travnjaci Thero-Brachypodietea” and 1,300 hectares associated with other habitats. The two figures refer to different things: the 25 hectares concern the existing area of this named habitat type; the 1,300 hectares are associated with other habitats.

The 2023 plan identifies the Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) as using Duboška pazuha Cave; its maternity colony is estimated at 15 to 1,000 individuals. This range is an estimate, not a fixed population count.

Caves, Chapel and Vernacular Architecture

Vela spila, Mala spila and Živa voda are associated with prehistoric finds and are provisionally protected. The votive chapel in Selca Kod Bogomolja is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot. These provide two distinct points of cultural reference: the archaeological finds associated with the caves and the chapel’s religious dedication.

In the hamlet of Grabak, the Trim SB-TR-03 forms an architectural unit with the stone house on its south side within the Godinović building complex. Its roof has been levelled and covered with sand for drying figs. This links a specific building structure with traditional fig processing. These features were recorded during a field observation on 22 March 2019.

Within the wider destination of Općina Sućuraj

Sućuraj has more than 30 kilometres of trails for cycling, running and walking. The old footpaths there run along the sea or over hills, and through forests and olive groves. They are increasingly used by people seeking recreation; their primary functions are agriculture and fire protection. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. The Jadrolinija ferry route connects Sućuraj with the Makarska Riviera via Drvenik; the crossing takes 30 minutes. The timetable may change, so check it before travelling.

The cultural history of Općina Sućuraj is also rooted in different places: Bogomolje is home to a small Baroque parish church dating from the 17th century. Jerkov dvor in Bogomolje comprises an old house, a kitchen and a bread oven dating from 1898; the house contains a fossil collection. Fortica in Sućuraj was built in 1613.

Discover more destinations: Bogomolje, Sućuraj.

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Sućuraj.