Easter in Croatia: The Religious Procession of Za Krizem in Jelsa

With blue skies, azure seas and temperatures in the mid-20s, Easter 2011 on Hvar promises to be a special event. Traditionally the time when the island emerges from the long Dalmatian winter and various establishments open up for the season, Easter is also the most important event on the religious calendar, a time when family members return home from the mainland to celebrate Easter.

The cornerstone of the religious celebrations in Jelsa is the 500 year-old, UNESCO-protected Easter Procession through the night on Maundy Thursday, where a procession follows a barefooted cross-bearer on a 22km procession through six villages. Click here for more on the Za Krizem Easter Procession, including recordings of the hypnotic chanting.