Kolocep combines around 17 cultural monuments with an extensive network of walking trails and secluded beaches. The monuments are mainly small churches and chapels dating from various periods up to the 16th century. Kaštio Fortress stands above the harbor of Donje Čelo. The island therefore offers different focal points for a stay: architectural history, walking trails, and quiet time by the sea.
Getting Around the Island
There is no car traffic on Kolocep, while an extensive network of walking trails runs across the island. A path through the island’s interior connects Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo. Those who enjoy walking can use the path between the two villages as a practical point of reference. For 2026 to 2029, the municipal program provides for a public passenger service in both directions between Gruž harbor in Dubrovnik and Gornje Čelo harbor. Check the current operation of this service before traveling.
Churches, Art, and Architectural History
The parish church of St. Mary dates from the 13th to the 15th century and contains sculptures from the 14th and 16th centuries. The medieval Church of St. Anthony the Abbot preserves a polyptych by Ivan Ugrinović from 1434. The pre-Romanesque Church of St. Anthony of Padua is halfway up the slope at Gornje Čelo and is dated to the 11th to 12th century. The Church of the Holy Trinity is also among the churches on Kolocep.
A polyptych is a multi-panel artwork. On Kolocep, this form of artwork can be found both in the Church of St. Anthony the Abbot and in the parish collection. The dates given for the churches and artworks refer to different things: construction periods, individual sculptures, and dated works.
The parish collection next to the Church of the Assumption of Mary in Donje Čelo includes a reconstruction of the 11th-century altar screen from the Church of St. Michael, as well as a 15th-century polyptych. It also contains material on seven researched churches and archaeological sites on Kolocep.
Historic buildings can also be found outside the churches. Remains of defensive towers survive in Donje Čelo; they were built after the Turks devastated the island in the 16th century. Many buildings on Kolocep date from the 15th and 16th centuries and feature finely dressed masonry and architectural details. The residential buildings of the 16th and 17th centuries include outbuildings such as small mills.
Coral Harvesting, Agriculture, and Beaches
The residents of Kolocep were known for coral harvesting from the 14th to the 18th century. Mediterranean agriculture on the island includes olives, grapevines, figs, carob, and citrus fruits. Secluded beaches offer a quiet way to spend time by the sea and make your stay different from one focused on churches and architectural history.
Discover more destinations: Suđurađ, Osojnik, Lopud, Mrčevo, Komolac, Mokosica, Zaton, Čajkovica.
Go to the main travel overview: Općina Dubrovnik.
