Right in the heart of Jelsa is the Church of St Mary’s Assumption, the spiritual centre of the town in the 21st century. The church was fortified in the face of 16th-century Ottoman incursions, but those days feel a long way off in the peace of the modern age. Today, the belfry stands tall over Jelsa, and the church's interior contains various fascinating features that are attractions in their own right, from 17th-century paintings to wooden statues and more. A gorgeous stone building across from the church bears a plaque paying homage to Ivan Plenković, a local representative from the 19th century.