Central & Eastern Istria
Looming over the chasm, Pazin’s castle is the largest and best-preserved medieval structure in all of Istria. First mentioned in AD 983, the castle has…
Must-see attractions in Central & Eastern Istria
Central & Eastern Istria
Pazin’s most renowned site is undoubtedly this 100m-deep abyss, through which the Pazinčica River sinks into subterranean passages forming three…
Central & Eastern Istria
This award-winning winery in the hamlet of Ohnići, 14km northeast of Poreč, has been in the same family for a century. It cultivates 10 hectares of…
Central & Eastern Istria
The northern part of the main square is occupied by this beautiful 13th-century fortified palace. Its present appearance, including its towers, are a…
Central & Eastern Istria
The setting, down in a verdant valley by a bubbling river, and the striking architecture of its tasting room make this Istria's most impressive winery to…
Central & Eastern Istria
Don't miss this almost-abandoned village, 2.5km off the road to Roč. It's set on a stream which all but dries up in summer, but at other times bubbles…
Motovun
Tucked away in a courtyard of the Hotel Kaštel, this small museum has interesting displays on the legendary giant of Motovun Forest, the grim lot of the…
Central & Eastern Istria
Positioned in a cemetery just outside the town walls, this little 12th-century Romanesque chapel still has the remains of its original frescoes on the…
Central & Eastern Istria
The road from Roč to Hum has been dubbed Glagolitic Alley in reference to a series of 11 sculptures placed alongside it, commemorating the area’s…
Central & Eastern Istria
Rabac's best beach is this series of pebbly coves in front of the immense Valamar Girandella resort complex. It's well maintained by the resort, but most…
Central & Eastern Istria
The ground floor of this museum, housed in the baroque 18th-century Battiala-Lazzarini Palace, is devoted to archaeological finds. Upstairs is a…
Motovun
It only takes about 10 minutes to circle Motovun's ramparts and you can get similar views of the surrounding countryside for free, just by walking around…
Church of Sts Vitus, Modest & Crescentia
Central & Eastern Istria
The town's skyline is dominated by the yellow sandstone bell tower of its large parish church, which was first mentioned in 1310 and renovated in baroque…
Central & Eastern Istria
Built by the Venetians in 1784, Buzet's pretty parish church has a pale-yellow ceiling with frescos, an elaborate pulpit and baroque altars. There's also…
Central & Eastern Istria
Positioned by the cliffs at the far end of the old town, this church (completed in 1611) was in the throes of a major restoration during research but it…
Central & Eastern Istria
Labin's fortress once stood at the highest point of the old town. There's no longer a fort to speak of (although there is a canon) but it's well worth…
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Central & Eastern Istria
Labin's parish church – originally built in the 11th century but tinkered with until the 18th – has a Venetian lion over the main door and baroque marble…
Central & Eastern Istria
Housed in a 1597 building which once served as a court, prison and granary, the town's main gallery promotes recent works of mainly Croatian artists…
Central & Eastern Istria
This winery, 12km northeast of Poreč, produces some of Istria's finest reds and whites. Its malvazija is of particularly high quality, and it also…
Motovun
The town's centrepiece is this large Renaissance church, thought to have been designed by Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. The interior is a restrained…
Central & Eastern Istria
This 1550 loggia served as the community centre of Labin in the 16th century. News and court verdicts were announced here, fairs were held and wayward…
Central & Eastern Istria
Housed in the grand Bigatto Palace (built 1639), this museum displays a collection of prehistoric and Roman artefacts as well as some ethnological items…
Central & Eastern Istria
This 16th-century parish church on the east side of the main square has a Renaissance facade made of local cut stone, and five elaborate Venetian marble…
Central & Eastern Istria
At the centre of the old town is an ornate cistern topped with a well, built in 1789 in the rococo style. Look out for the carved lion, the symbol of…
