Green Istria

Green Istria

If you come to Istria, you will see for yourself why they refer to Istria as the “Tuscany of Croatia.” The interior part of the region with its characteristic stone architecture and small towns situated on hills create a peaceful and relaxing environment. The interior part of green Istria will greet you with a rich agrotourism offer and untouched nature. Should you choose Buje, Buzet, Motovun, Groznjan, you will find privacy and the silence of medieval towns – fortresses and familiarize yourself with the gastronomy and wine making. Motovun is a small town in the interior part of Istria, with a green Istrian landscape and wine roads that also plays host to many film festivals. Buzet is an authentic Istrian town that was settled in ancient history and is known as the town of truffles. Istria is a carefree combination of an active or quiet holiday destination and don’t be surprised if it wins you over with its charm.

General information

  • Number of residents: 17 460
  • Geographical position: Istria
  • Climate: mild Mediterranean
  • Average summer temperature: 26° C
  • Average winter temperature: 10-12° C
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Gastronomy

A lot has already been written about Istrian cuisine which is primarily known for its truffles, fruits of the earth which many believe to be an aphrodisiac. Truffles are the main ingredient in many aromatic sauces served with pasta. Istrian pasta is a story in itself and we recommend you treat yourself to fuzi and gnocchi in combination with a delicious sauce. You can try hearty soups such as manestra or jota, which are a combination of vegetables and meat, and also zgvacet, a meat dish mainly prepared with chicken. We also suggest a glass of fine Istrian wine such as Malvazija or Teran which will compliment any meal.

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Sport

The greenery of the interior part of Istria will surely encourage you to take long exhilarating walks and there are plenty of trails that will satisfy even the most persistent walkers. You can rent bicycles and go riding or we recommend horseback riding and horseback trekking. There are ranches located in Barban and Krnica. Depending on the time of year you can go mushroom picking, asparagus picking or perhaps other fruits which can be found in the forests of Istria. The rolling hills are also perfect for paragliding.

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Fun and night life

If you decide to visit Green Istria, we guarantee that you will have a peaceful, quiet and relaxing vacation. However you won't be bored. There are many festivals held in Istria throughout the year, the most popular of which is the Motovun Film Festival, which is held every summer. Film lovers from all over the world gather in Motovun to enjoy good films outdoors and good parties. We invite you to come and join them!

There are also various folk manifestations which illustrate old traditions, carnevals, wine tasting and many other events. Artists also enjoy the peace and quiet of Green Istria, and as a result many of them have opened small galleries which are open for visitors to come and see their work.

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How to get there?

  • By car:
    • Poreč Zagreb 243 km
    • Poreč-Ljubljana 151 km
    • Poreč-Rijeka 92 km
  • By plane: www.croatiaairlines.hr (Pula airport)
  • By bus: www.akz.hr
  • By train: www.hznet.hr (to Rijeke)
  • Local and international ferry: www.jadrolinija.hr
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What to see?

Valkanela-Funtana Park

Valkanela is an interesting park near the small town of Funtana, in the vicinity of Pula. At this park you can see the sculptures of a famous Croatian artist Dušan Džamonje. There is a gallery close to the park where you can see other works of art. Walking through the park and looking at the interesting sculptures, which seem to blend right in with the surrounding greenery, is quite an experience.

Visnjan Observatory

The observatory in Visnjan is a small science centre where volunteers and students get together to talk about astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and ecology. More than 1400 small planets have been discovered by this observatory using a 40 cm telescope. Perhaps you too will see something interesting during your visit.

Kastel-Svetvicenat

Svetvicenat is a typical Istrian acropolis type of town and is located near Pazin. It is situated on a plateau and is surrounded by forests and vineyards. At the top of the town is a citadel that we recommend you visit so as to familiarize yourself with the typical architecture of Green Istria. The town was named after the Hispanic martyr St. Vincent, who is also the patron saint of the town.

Churches surrounding Oprtalj

Oprtalj is a town in the northwestern part of Green Istria that dates back to the 12th century. This region is one of the least settled regions in the Istrian County, however throughout the centuries approximately 20 churches have been preserved in the areas surrounding Oprtalj. Each church has a special story and history preserved in its sacral treasure.

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Where to go on a trip?

Motovun

Legend has it that Motovun was built by giants, out of stones which the giants collected in the valley of the Mirna River. The entire town of Motovun is actually one big monument and its appearance today dates back to the Middle Ages. Motuvun also has the longest stairwell in Istria, from the top of the Motovun hill to the bottom there are a total of 1052 stairs. Motovun has many palaces situated around a Venetian town square and you do not have to like art to appreciate the beauty of Motovun. The Motovun Film Festival is held every summer and during the festival the entire town becomes a place for films and fun.

Buzet and Groznjan

These two towns are located 20 km apart, and will make your excursion to Istrian towns complete. Groznjan is known as the town of artists, and if you crave silence then Groznjan is the place for you. The history of Buzet goes back to Roman times and was known as Pinquentium. In Buzet, among other things, you can see a Baroque fountain which has been proclaimed as one of the most beautiful fountains in Istria.

Brijuni

Brijuni islands have been inhabited already in the time of Roman and Byzantine Empires. Remains of luxurious Roman villas and buildings as well as decorative mosaics witness of the appeal of the archipelago. Most important are the remains of a Roman summer residence in Verige bay. Temples of Neptune and Venus were built within that complex.

Today on the island of Veli Brijun there are around 600 indigenous types of plants, mostly Mediterranean, and in the northern part of Veli Brijun there is a safari park where dears, zebras, ostriges, giraffes and other animals live freely.

Golf lovers can enjoy playing in such beautiful surroundings. It is a unique experience to bicycle through Brijuni; the bicycles are available in the Park.

Venice

Everybody knows that Venice is considered to be one of the most romantic towns on the planet. This fact is not surprising since its bridges, splendid Renaissance palaces and the square of St. Marco as a sort of center, inspired writers and poets throughout history. Get to know Venice by riding a gondola along the Canal Grande and see the Bridge of Sighs from which those sentenced to death said goodbye to the sun forever or have a cup of coffee on St. Marco square. If you come in the winter, forget about the everyday life and become what you choose during a large carnival.

Venice has always been a synonym of splendor, and in the 15th century it was a center of world trade and the largest port in the world.

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