The Arena in Pula is the most important Roman monument in Istria and one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the world.
Arena
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Euphrasian Basilica is the Early Christian church which interior is decorated with spectacular mosaics. Its significance has listed it among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Euphrasian Basilica
The Dance of Death is the most famous Istrian fresco located in the picturesque Church of St. Mary on Škriljinah in Beram.
The Church of St. Mary on Škriljinah
The Praetorian Palace with its external staircase, two towers, a serrated finish and crests on the facade represents the most important profane structure in Koper.
The Praetorian Palace in Koper
St. Rocco together with St. Sebastian and Fabian will welcome you on the entrance into the fresco decorated namesake church in Draguć.
The Church of St. Rocco in Draguć
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Brijuni consist of 14 islands and islets, among which the biggest is Veliki Brijun. Except its beautiful nature, the archipelago has numerous dinosaur footprints. It was declared the national park as well.
National Park Brijuni
The Pazin Abyss is protected by law. Its entrance is under a 200 m high rock. Its interior hides two lakes, the Martel's and the Mitro's, which are mutually connected.
The Pazin Abyss
The town loggia in Grožnjan dates to the late 16th c. It used to be the court house.
The Town Loggia
Parenzana used to be the railroad connecting Poreč and Trieste. Today, it is a hiking and biking route, which viaducts and tunnels create a special atmosphere.
Parenzana - the Path of Health and Friendship
More than 270 species of birds live in the ornithological reserve in Sečovlje. By connecting the sea and swamp, a separate ecosystem has emerged. Thus, in 2001, it was declared the nature park.
The Ornithological Reserve in Sečovlje
The Church of Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje was located above the settlement. As it was the most precious building and a sanctuary for local inhabitants, it was encircled by walls.
Hrastovlje
As its very name says, it was originally two towns, Moncastello and Castel Parentino. Only Moncastello's ruins remained.
Dvigrad
The Pula Market is a true construction miracle and one of the most beautiful examples of the Secession architecture. It was built with new materials, iron and glass. Its original function has been retained.
The Pula Market
The Romanesque House was erected in the 13th century. It was extended several times during its history. However, it maintained its original Romanesque features. The Ethnographic collection is on exhibit there.
The Romanesque House
The Triumphal Arch of the Sergi in Pula is a superb architectural achievement of the Late Hellenistic Roman building. It was erected in the memory of the namesake family members.
The Triumphal Arch of the Sergi
The chapel of St. Eliseus in Draguć preserves the fresco depicting the chivalric battle on the surface of the velarium, the single figure scene of such kind in Istria.
The Church of St. Eliseus
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The magnificent Soardo-Bembo palace in Bale has a monumental 16th c. Gothic-Renaissance facade.
The Soardo-Bembo Palace
Apart from the temple dedicated to the Capitoline triad on the Roman Forum in Pula, there are two other temples, of which only the Temple of Augustus is visible today.
Augustus Temple and the Forum in Pula
The Lim Bay is a sunken karst valley, almost 13 km long. It stretches further into the interior, all the way to Pazin creating the Lim Cove.
Lim Bay
The Morosini-Grimani Castle is a medieval edifice with expressed Renaissance features. It was named after the two families, its owners.
Morosini-Grimani Castle
Present day Poreč, and Parentium in the past, has a regular, orthogonal street layout as did most ancient Roman towns. In case of Poreč, its layout has been preserved.
Roman street layout
The intensive red colour of its facade, lavishly decorated by architectural elements in white stone are the main characteristics of the Battiala-Lazzarini Palace, presently used by the People's Museum of the town of Labin.
The Battiala-Lazzarini Palace
The underground tunnels of Pula, Zerostrasse, stretch below almost entire Pula. They were built during the WW1 for sheltering people in case of air raids.
Underground tunnels - Zerostrasse
The Verudela Fortress is one of the best preserved fortresses. It is considered the peak of the 19th c. European fortification construction.
The Verudela Fortress
Carpaccio square in Koper is decorated by the Column of St. Justine and the capital shaped well. There is also the namesake house. It is said to be the birthplace of painter Vittore Carpaccio.
The Carpaccio House and the Square in Koper
Nesactium was the seat of the Histri, the Iron Age people who inhabited Istria. Numerous archaeological findings show its permanent population, from the prehistoric era until the Late Antiquity.
Nesactium
The Castle of Pazin is the biggest and best preserved fortress in Istria. Its appearance changed with its owners. It is the site of the Jules Verne's Mathias Sandor.
The Castle of Pazin
The interior of the Holy Trinity Church preserves a cycle of late medieval and Renaissance exceptional frescoes, which is also the best well-known cycle in the Slovenian part of Istria.
The Holy Trinity Church in Hrastovlje
Once known as Casa Pizagrua, today the Tartini House, is the seat of the Italian Community in Piran and a birthplace of violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini.
The Tartini House
The Svetvinčenat square is the most comprehensive example of planned Renaissance urbanism with rows of houses, a cistern and the parish church, naturally.
The square and parish church in Svetvinčenat
The Small Roman Theatre from the 1st c. was erected on the slope underneath the Castle. It could hold between 4 and 5 thousand spectators.
Small Roman Theatre
A luxury maritime villa from the late 2nd century BC was erected in the Simon Bay. It had an aqueduct and the port. Its residential part is adorned by a two-coloured mosaic.
The Simon Bay
The Punta Christo Fortress is the biggest Austro-Hungarian fortification. Although having been long abandoned, it is the present day site for numerous concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events.
The Punta Christo Fortress
Although small, the palace of the Counts of Rigo is an exceptional achievement of the Baroque residential architecture. Apart from the facade, the interior layout has been preserved.
The Palace of the Counts of Rigo
The Early Baroque Belgramoni-Tacco Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in Koper. It was named after it had been lost by the Belgramonis to the Tacco family in a gambling match.
The Belgramoni-Tacco Palace
The villa in the Verige Bay is the most important example of the Roman country-style architecture in Istria. The villa stretched for almost a kilometre. It included the spa, the library, the palestra...
The Roman country villa in the Verige Bay
Medieval Hum is known as the smallest town in the world. It was first mentioned in 1102 in the deed of gift by Marquis Ulrich II.
The Castle in Hum
The Basilica of St. Mary Formosa dates back to the 6th c. It is an exceptionally important Early Christian monument. Unfortunately, only the south chapel, shaped as a Greek cross, has been preserved.
St. Mary Formosa
The Baredine Pit is a protected geomorphologial monument of nature. The Proteus anguinuse lives there. The pit interior is lavishly decorated with calcium deposits forming magnificent shapes.
The Baradine Pit
On the corner of Decumanus and Cardo in Poreč is the Zuccato Palace, today a gallery.
The Zuccato Palace
Only a ruin today, the Momjan castle is located above the Dragonja river. It is known as the Rota castle after the Rota family who owned it for several hundred years.
The Momjan Castle
The Church of St. Barnabas is originally a Romanesque edifice. Its wall interior is painted by frescoes depicting the life of Christ.
The Church of St. Barnabas
St. Lovreč was the seat of the peasant country Captain. His house was along the southwest rim of the wall. It dates back to the 14th c.
The house of the peasant country Captain
St. Foška's Church is a three-nave basilica. Preserved Benedictine paintings are probably the most fascinating example of the Romanesque mural painting in Croatia.
The Church of St. Foška
The marine casino, known today as the Home of the Croatian Homeland War Veterans, was an architectural jewel of Pula. Once it had been finished, it gathered the elite from Pula and abroad.
The Home of the Croatian Homeland War Veterans
The frescoes within the St. Helen Church shows both Christian and profane topics. The Christology iconography is intertwined with the scenes from Aesop's fables.
The Church of St. Helen, Gračišće near Divače
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The Vela draga educational trail goes along the namesake canyon. It is divided into two stages. The signs with explanations were set up along the entire trail.
Vela draga - Učka
Pietrapelosa, the castle above the Mirna River, has never been completely destroyed. Its name literally means a hairy fortress. The Chapel of St. Magdalene has also been preserved.
The Pietrapelosa Castle
The Palud Bay is the only ornithological park in Istria with over 200 bird species. By connecting the sea and the swamp, it got inhabited by various animals such as fish who prefer brackish water.
Palud
The quality and the synthesis of the Central European Late Gothic and Italian Renaissance elements rank Pazin frescoes in the Parish Church of St.Nicholas among best mural paintings in Istria.
The Church of St. Nicholas
The Podpeč Castle is the most recognizable for its round tower with Renaissance architectural elements such as the wreath or gun holes. The House of Prkič is the most famous.
The Podpeč Castle
The Mramornica Cave is one of the biggest and most beautiful in Istria. Thanks to its established and safe paths, its amazing interior can be explored.
The Mramornica Cave
The fortress of Črni Kal was noted in the 11th century. Apart from being a resting place for traders and travellers, it was also the place of the conflict between the Habsburgs and the Venetians for the dominance of Koper.
The Fortress of Črni Kal
The Late Baroque Large Well in Buzet was built in 1789 on the site of a former well. It is surrounded by the Rococo fence.
Large Well
The mosaic of the punishment of Dirke was found near the Church of St. Mary Formosa. The magnificent mosaic is divided into two parts. The mythological topic of the punishment of Dirke is extremely rare.
The mosaic of the punishment of Dirke
The central library in Koper is located in the Brutti Palace with the magnificent Baroque facade and a lavish entrance and stairs.
The Brutti Palace
The Kažun Park was opened to preserve a special method of construction of this typical stone structure. Kažun has one room, its layout is round with a conic roof.
The Kažun Park
Socerb was founded on the ruins of an Illyrian hill-fort. The fortress expanded during the Middle Ages. Due to its excellent geographic position, it used to be a constant target in the wars between the Venice and the people of Trieste.
The Socerb Castle
Christ is represented as a young beardless man holding an unusual inscription : REX IUDEORUM. The fresco can be seen in the St. Agatha's Church.
The Church of St. Agatha
Cape Kamenjak is a peninsula on the south of Istria with a well indented coast and specific flora and fauna. Among 600 various plants, orchids stand out. They have been protected by law.
Cape Kamenjak
As Motovun was encircled by double walls, its entrance was through two gates above which the tower was erected in the 16th c. The walls of Motovun are the best preserved walls in Istria.
Twin Gates of Motovun
The interior of the Holy Spirit Church is filled with biblical frescoes such as the Escape to Egypt and the Last Supper.
The Holy Spirit Church
Vižula near Medulin was inhabited from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. The most significant is the Roman villa, elevated from the sea coast by terraces
Vižula
The Glagolitic Lane runs along the Roč-Hum road. It is the most important monument dedicated to the Glagolitic movement. Eleven individual monuments were erected as witnesses of the Glagolitic script.
The Glagolitic Lane
Pula was encircled by walls. There were about ten gates proving the entrance into the town, of which the Twin Gates or Porta Gemina are visible today, as well as a part of former walls.
The Twin Gate
The Baroque Negri Palace changed its function on several occasions. It was the Negri family home in the 16th c., then a nursery, hospital and school.
The Negri Palace
The facade of the Communal Palace in Rovinj is red. Apart from being the Praetorian Palace in the past, it also served as a prison.
The Communal Palace in Rovinj
Monkodonja is a Bronze Age settlement near Rovinj, located on an elevation. The settlement was surrounded by triple walls built in the dry wall technique.
Monkodonja
Located on the steep hill, Kožljak's very name points to its inaccessible position. Its residential part used to be reached by stairs chiselled into a live rock, surrounded by walls.
The Kožljak Castle
Late Gothic frescoes from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary were made by the workshop of John from Kastav. This is his first and best quality work.
The Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in Božje polje
The house with a semi-circular entrance and reliefs of two saints on its facade, after which it was named, is an example of the Renaissance style. Today it is used by the Conservation Office.
The House of Two Saints
The Communal Palace was erected in the 13th c. It has the Romanesque-Gothic facade decorated by numerous crests and burial plates. Its current appearance stems from the late 19th century.
The Communal Palace in Piran
The main town square in Vižinada has a large cistern from 1782, which is a magnificent example of the Venetian Classicism.
The central town square and the cistern in Vižinada
The noble Polesini family built a castle with the park and supporting building in the Palladian style. It seems the house design was the work of Andrea Palladia.
The Castle of the Polesini family
The Rotunda of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was first the baptistery. The fresco of Christ Pantocrator on its vault was painted in the 14 century.
The Rotunda of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Romuald's Cave is protected as the large bat habitat. The artefacts of an early man were found in the cave as well as the remains of extinct animals such as lion, hyena or leopard.
The Romuald's Cave
The Romanesque Communal Palace was erected within the inner walls during the 12th or the 13th cc.
The Communal Palace in Motovun
The Hydrographic Institute was founded by the Austro-Hungarian Navy. The Institute was conducting meteorological observations. It had an observatory and a library.
The Hydrographic Institute
The Kingdom of Feštini is a cave located in the heart of Istria near Žminj. It was often devastated during its history. Its magnificent interior is open for visits.
The Kingdom of Feštini
The Gothic-Renaissance Scampicchio Palace was owned by the namesake family who erected it in the 15th c. Having obtained the Pope's consent, the family joined the palace with the church and got their own private entrance.
The Scampicchio Palace
The redecoration of the country estate in Dajla, started by the Grisoni family, resulted in the monumental U-shape Classicistic structure.
The country estate of the Grisoni family in Dajla
The Church of St. Catherine is a simple edifice with a bell gable and a portico. Frescoes can be found along the northern, southern and western wall of the chapel.
The Church of St. Catherine
The Benussi House is a Gothic structure with a carved funny inscription by which the house owner is saying to the passers-by: thank you for asking, I am fine.
The Benussi House
The Sinčin Palace is the best preserved as well as the most significant Baroque palace in Poreč. Today it is used by the Heritage Museum of the Poreč Region.
The Sinčić Palace
Numerous remains of the Roman architecture were found on Lorun, ranging from the economic complex consisting of the ceramics workshop, the oil mill and the cistern to the residential part with the country villa.
Lorun
The fresco cycle in the Church of St. Mary was painted by several masters, among which the best well known was Klerigin from Koper and the Colourful Master.
The Church of St. Mary
The Navy Cemetery has been listed among monuments under the protection of the Hague Convention. It is the last resting place of the deceased from the Baron Gautsch steamship killed during the WW1.
The Navy Cemetery
There is an extremely intriguing legend connected with the Maria Luisa Fortress. This fortress, just recently opened for public, is said to be connected by an undersea tunnel with the Brijuni islands.
The Maria Luisa Fortress - Muzil
Only a tower has been preserved. The Renaissance house and the town loggia stand out in the village. Roch was a strong centre of the Glagolitic literature from the 13th century.
The Roch Castle
The Podesta Palace was built during the 1588 Renaissance. It was later redecorated in the Baroque style.
The Podesta Palace
The interior of the biggest Romanesque church in Istria is decorated by 11th century frescoes, which makes them one of the oldest on the peninsula.
The Church of St. Martin
After the loss of the surrounding castles, hidden shelters located on hardly reachable grounds were given prominence. Despite its important military and civil role, Zanigrad is today abandoned.
The Zanigrad Fortress
The Temple of Neptune was erected on the Poreč forum in the 1st century. It is thought to be the biggest in Istria, although only a portion of its walls and the foundations have been preserved.
The Temple of Neptune
Betiga was densely populated from the Antiquity period until the Early Middle Ages. During the Roman period, several country villas were erected as well as the Early Christian Church of St. Agnese.
Betiga
Matija Vlačić Ilirik was one of the most prominent supporters of the Protestant reform in Istria. The Franković-Vlačić is his birthplace.
The Franković-Vlačić Palace
St. Mark's storage was erected in the 17th c. It was used for storing salt from nearby Koper salt mines.
St. Mark's Storage
Despite being rather damaged, the plasticity of characters on the frescoes in St.Anthony church shows their past lavishness.
The Church of St. Anthony
Picturesque Fishermen Square has become available to public after several decades. Its eastern part is embellished by a row of Venetian-Gothic houses.
Fishermen Square
The Romanesque Church of St. Nicholas had its interior painted with scenes from the St. Nicholas legend. The scene of his birth is best preserved.
The Church of St. Nicholas, Rakotule
The Baroque four-storey building with the red facade, today the Heritage Museum of the Town of Rovinj, used to be the Palace of the Califfi family.
The Califfi Palace
The Museum of the Town of Umag is located in the medieval tower known as the Bishop's Tower. It is dated to the end of the 13th and the early 14th cc. It was a part of the fortification system.
The Bishop's Tower
The interior of the Romanesque Church of St. James in Bačva hides superbly painted walls.
The Church of St. James
Nuances of purple, red, green and orange tones embellish the walls of the Church of St. Mary of Lakuć under Dvigrad, the work painted by Colourful Master.
The Church of St. Mary of Lakuć in Dvigrad
Frescoes in the picturesque St. Catherine Church were dated back to the early 15th century by a Glagolitic inscription.
The Church of St. Catherine
The Church of St. Helen, in the near vicinity of Oprtalj, preserves the frescoes of the Annunciation and Christ in Mandorla. The domination of blue-green creates the impression of surreal.
The Church of St. Helen
Although badly preserved, frescoes decorate the walls of the small St. Rocco's Church at the entrance of Oprtalj.
The Church of St. Rocco
The image of a saint can be seen in the Church of St. Helen. Such an image was rarely depicted in the church art during the Middle Ages.
The Church of St. Helen, Podpeč
The most comprehensive cycle of frescoes is hidden in the Church of St. Vincent. They were painted by master Ognobenus from Treviso.
The Church of St. Vincent
Red and yellow ochre and pastel green prevail on the Zanigrad frescoes made in the early 15th century. They have been preserved only in the nave of the church.
The Church of St. Stephen in Zanigrad
Kubed was important for military reasons. Having lost its primary military function, it was not abandoned. Houses and the church were built inside its walls, which preserved them until the 18th c.
The Kubed Castle
The Bigatto palace in Buzet is an exceptional example of the Mannerism and Early Baroque architecture in Istria. Today it is the site of the Heritage Museum.
The Bigatto Palace
The Bembo Palace was completed in 1728 for Chaplain Vicenzo Bemba, whose coat of arms is still on its facade.
The Bembo Palace
The Gothic period has a strong influence on Koper visible in the church, monastery and public building architecture. Among Gothic houses, the Almerifogna Palace stands out with its decorated facade.
The Almerigogna Palace
The Verzi Palace in Buzet is a simple, yet a very attractive Baroque palace.
The Verzi Palace
One of the most beautiful examples of the Venetian architecture is the Salamon Palace in Gračišće, with its Gothic and Renaissance elements.
The Salamon Palace
The old blacksmith's is probably the oldest structure in the town, built in 1466.
The Old Blacksmith's
The parish church is the most ambitious architectural structure in Hum, the smallest town in the world.
The Parish Church
The reddish facade of the Totto ex Gavardo Palace connects three earlier structures. Apart from its interesting exterior with the relief of St. Mark's lion, the palace's interior is also fetching.
The Totto ex Gavardo Palace
The Orlandini House is also known as the Prefect's Palace as it was used as a residence of the Istrian Prefect during the rule of Napoleon
The Orlandini House
The Koper Fontico was used as a granary. It is a Venetian structure with Renaissance and Gothic windows.
The Koper Fontico
The Gravisi-Barbabianca Palace is one of the most significant palaces in Koper. It was completed in the early 18th c. Today it is used by the music school.
The Palace of Marquis Gravisi-Barbabianca
The Favento-Guzzi House has a polychromally painted facade. It is a typical Gothic house built by craftsmen and fishermen of Koper.
The Favento-Guzzi House
Another of many magnificent Baroque monuments is the Carli Palace with interesting oval windows on its ground floor. Its Gothic features are visible in its irregular layout.
The Carli Palace
The early 16th c. Baroque Manzini Palace was erected after the rule of the Venetian Republic had been established, as were many other palaces in the old town of Labin.
The Manzini Palace
The present appearance of the Kaštel Hotel, located in the palace castle of the Polesini family, is much different than its original, 17th c. Renaissance look.
The building of the castle in Motovun
The Baroque-Historicist castle, the Seget Homestead, belonged to the Defranceschi family. It is the most monumental country-style structure in Istria.
The Seget Homestead
Romanesque double lancet windows embellishing the first floor of the Parish House in Poreč came from an earlier building. The structure is one of only several preserved profane buildings.
The Parish House in Poreč
The lavish Gothic facade of the Parisi-Gonan Palace was constructed in the second half of the 15th c. It has two magnificent triple lancet windows.
The Parisi-Gonan Palace
The Communal Palace has not changed its function throughout its long history. It was built on the remains of a Roman temple, which can still be seen today.
The Communal Palace (Town Hall) in Pula
At the very beginning of the street, on the main town square is a modest 15th century Gothic palace with a twin window.
The Gothic Palace
Gradina is the Bronze Age settlement consisting of the central plateau encircled by three walls. Entrances were set up in the labyrinth form so as make the entrance into the settlement more difficult.
Gradina on Brijuni Islands
Picugi is a group of three hills with hilltop settlements near Poreč. The settlements were protected by three layers of walls. About 500 burial sites were found in their necropoleis.
Picugi
The Da Ponte fountain is the last station of the aqueduct, which supplied Koper with water. Its present day Baroque appearance stems from the mid 17th century.
The Da Ponte Fountain
Istria's Thermal Spa has several thermal springs, the largest of which is the St. Stephen's. Water is rich in minerals, which made the spa well known as early as the Roman period.
Istria's Thermal Spa
The Istria's highest peak, Vojak, is located on Učka. The nature park includes not only Učka but also a part of Ćićarija. The sea vicinity conditioned the development of the specific climate and rich fauna and flora.
Nature Park Učka
The path of St. Lucia leads towards the Brdo peak, where a small and the only water source on the entire surrounding area of Skitače is located. Water is collected in the St. Lucia's školnica, a small dent in the rock.
The Path of St. Lucia - Skitača
The Sentona's trail stretches from Labin to the Maslinica Cove in the Rabac Bay. The trail has numerous brooks and rapids crossed by seven bridges creating an elvish experience.
The Sentona's Trail
The Path of the Survey of Istrian Land Boundaries is the established thematic path following the medieval route taken in setting boundaries. It also indicates the boundaries which have remained visible until the present day.
The Path of the Survey of Istrian Land Boundaries
Apart from wells and rainwater cisterns, the Path of the Labin Wells encompasses several springs including the Vrućka, the Blažićevo or the Negri Cave spring, as well as the promenade fountains.
Labin Wells
The Basilica trail is a biking and hiking route with established educational signs. Its intention is to increase the value of the Limes trail. The Basilica passes some important historical sites.
The Basilica Biking and Hiking Trail
Datule is the first and still the only site of the remains of dinosaur bones found on the entire Mediterranean area, as well as the only submarine site.
Datule
Cava di Monfiorenzo is a unique example of limestone sedimentology. In 1986, it was declared the geological monument of nature.
Cava di Monfiorenzo
Having become the main war-time harbour of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the construction of the Arsenal commenced in 1848. Its iron structure proves the arrival of new tendencies in Pula.
The Arsenal
The Military Hospital in Pula was built in 1861 during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. It is an example of the historicist construction with the U-shaped layout.
The Military Hospital
The Villa of the Austro-Hungarian Admiral Miklós Horthy has German Gothic and Renaissance features as well as the Alpine-folk elements, which makes it one of the most interesting structures in Pula.
The Secession Horthy Villa
The Wolff Villa is a true example of architectural and construction novelties of the 20th c. The sculpture of the wolf (wolff) was put up on its main facade, in line with its name and the first owner.
The Secession Wolff Villa
The Palazzo Hotel is the oldest hotel in Poreč, erected in 1910 as the Palace. It was commissioned by Austrian Friedrich Klein to be put up on the artificially erected sea embankment.
The Palazzo Hotel
The forest of Motovun is the last preserved lowland Mediterranean autochthonous forest of common oak, narrow-leafed ash and elm. There are only three such forests preserved on the Mediterranean.
The Forest of Motovun
The building of the Faculty of Philosophy in Pula is richly decorated by floreal motifs. It is a Secession-style building known as stile floreale or stile Liberty.
The building of the Faculty of Philosophy in Pula
The Mendelein Villa is a magnificent example of the Viennese Secession. Its architectural appearance is exceptionally attractive due to its tower which is reminiscent of a medieval castle.
The Menedelein Villa
The Riviera Hotel was built in 1908 as a Neo-Baroque structure with the Secession decoration. It was known as the most popular hotel in Pula for a number of years.
The Riviera Hotel
The town of Raša was designed as a new, mining town under the cutting-edge premises of urbanism and architecture. Its original name was Liburnia. Raša is the youngest town in Istria.
Raša - the town monument
Apart from prehistoric and Roman remains, there is the Early Christian complex with the 5th century twin basilicas in the Nesactium as well.
The hall basilicas in Nesactium
The original church of St. Mary the Great, not far from Bale, was a large three-nave basilica. The church changed in the course of time. The smaller Baroque church was built in the 17th c.
The Church and the Monastery of St. Mary the Great
The St. Andrew Church and the Monastery complex was abandoned in the 13th c. Prior to its abandonment, it had been permanently upgraded. A trefoil 5th c. chapel with a multi-colour mosaic has been preserved.
The Church of St. Andrew in Betiga
The Church of St. Sophia is located on the highest elevation of abandoned Dvigrad. The first church was the Early Christian single-nave structure, which was later partitioned into a three-nave hall church.
The Church of St. Sophia in Dvigrad
The Gate of Hercules are architecturally modest. They are located between two round medieval towers. It was named after the relief of the head of Hercules and his club.
The Gate of Hercules
The Late Baroque Besenghi degli Ughi Palace, today a music school, used to be the home of the Besenghi family with the library and numerous copies of books and manuscripts.
The Besenghi degli Ughi Palace
The interior of the Church of St. Jerome in Hum hides valuable frescoes, including the apocryphal motif from the Proto-Gospel of James, popular in the Christian East.
The Church of St. Jerome
As Buzet was experiencing the period of prosperity in the mid 16th c., both Large and Small Gates were erected.
The Small Gate in Buzet
The Fontico in Buzet was built in 1534. It is modest and without any decorations. Its original purpose was for storing grain.
The Buzet Fontico
The Bettica Palace was built in the 14th century. Having been the home of the Bettica family for several centuries, today it is used by the Museum of the town of Vodnjan.
The Bettica Palace
The Portarol Palace, also known as Castelleto, is a recently refurbished Gothic structure. Today it is the seat of the Vodnjan Open University.
The Portarol Palace - Castelletto
The Veneziana House is the best example of the Venetian-Gothic architecture in Piran. Its red facade is richly decorated by typically Gothic archaeological elements.
The Veneziana House
The Praetorian House was built on the remains of an earlier fontico. Today it is the seat of the court in Piran.
The Praetorian House in Piran
The name itself, the Barocca House, reflects its Baroque style, although the structure itself is of Gothic descent.
The Barocca House
The Giuseppe Tartini Theatre was opened in March 1910. Its simple exterior opposes the richly decorated and fresco painted interior.
The Giuseppe Tartini Theatre
The St. Rocco sanctuary is decorated by double layers of frescoes, which can be connected with the circle of John from Kastav, whose frescoes can be found throughout Istria.
The Church of St. Rocco in Roč
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Due to its isolation, the village of Kotli has kept its rural 19th century look. It also managed to preserve its mills that were in use till 1964.
Kotli
Savudrija is a small fishing village with the oldest lighthouse on the Adriatic, built in 1818.
Savudrija lighthouse
Buje is very proud of its late Baroque Church of St. Servulus. It is magnificently decorated with statues, altars and paintings, and its organ is the work of a master craftsman.
Buje - Buie
Driving down the road towards Završje, the syntagm magical Istria assumes its full meaning: it is truly a breathtaking view. In the foreground is the medieval town rising on a cliff above the Mirna Valley.
Završje - Piemonte d'Istria
Pićan From antiquity up to the 18th century, Pićan was the seat of the diocese. During the Byzantine Empire it was the seat of government for a significant part of central Istria. The Bishop’s Palace, a part of the medieval walls, and the 14th century town gate are preserved.
Pićan
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One of the most impressive structures in Vodnjan and entire Istria is certainly the parish church of St. Blaise, well-known to pilgrims from all over the world. Apart from the relics of St. Blaise, Vodnjan's parish church also keeps 370 relics belonging to 250 different saints. In addition to one of the thorns from Jesus' crown, fragment of the Holy Virgin's veil, particle of Jesus' Cross and many others, a special attraction are the desiccated remains of saints whose bodies or body parts have been completely preserved: St. Sebastian, St. Barbara, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Leon Bembo, St. Giovanni Olini and St. Nicolosa Bursa.
Parish Church of St. Blaise
