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Welcome to Vodnjan

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In the past, Vodnjan-Dignano was an important urban center and so today this town is an interesting destination especially for those who love art and culture.Walking around the old part of town you'll be surprised by the multitude of buildings from different periods: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. To emphasize the family palace Bettica, the popular Castle, built in 1300, now houses the museum. Very interesting is the parish church of St. Biagio whose bell is by far the highest in Istria (62 meters). In the church are preserved mummified bodies of saints and a collection of relics.

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Text as it should be., three “kažuns”, galižana-gallesano, events and festivals, create memories - try something new in istria, jazz concert, visit vodnjan, beera festival, oio vivo run, where would you like to stay.

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Vodnjan Vodnjan

Vodnjan-Dignano

The Vodnjan area can be explored, tasted and experienced, from a thousand different perspectives.

Take a stroll through the rich history of Vodnjan, a history told by the town palaces and numerous local churches. Or enjoy the countryside, surrounded by the kažuni – the dry stone wall huts, where the remains of the roman basilicae still lay hidden. Discover the small churches built in the fields, that never fail to surprise us. Breathe in the smell of the sea... Let the uniqueness of the territory seduce you, an area where simplicity and uniqueness create a suggestive symbiosis in a harmonious dialogue. Immerse yourself in the worlds of sensations, cultures, traditions, tastes, experiences, and nature. Vodnjan area abounds in all of it. We invite you to become the protagonists of this territory, made up of history, art and nature.

Experience Vodnjan

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Saint Fosca

The pretty town of Vodnjan (or Digano in Italian) is located in the pretty Istrian interior, about 12km north of Pula . It is home to about 6,000 people and its quaint, winding streets, Italianate architecture and colourful street art make it very suitable for a day trip in Istria.

Why do we also mention the Italian name of Vodjnan? Italians are a minority group in Istria, with several tens of thousands of Istrian Italians living in the Croatian county. Istria itself was originally populated by the Roman Histri tribe and was also long-controlled by the Venetian Empire; it was also part of Italy for parts of the 20th century (during the World Wars). Around 15% of the population of Vodnjan have Italian as their first language.

Getting to Vodnjan

It is undoubtedly easiest to reach Vodnjan with your own set of wheels. The town is an easy drive from Pula, Rovinj or other destinations in Istria.

Otherwise there are reasonably regular buses to the town. Arriva Autotrans offer services from Pula (journey time is 15 minutes) and Rovinj (30 minutes), for example.

There are also local buses, run by Pula Promet, from Pula to Vodnjan. Line number 22 runs a few times a day on weekday days (‘radni dan’) and Saturdays (‘Subota’); the timetable can be found on the Pula Promet website.

Sightseeing in Vodnjan

There are a number of interesting sites in town and, given the small size of the place, it won’t take you long to uncover many of them. It’s best to explore Vodnjan on foot and it’s certainly a pleasure roaming around the small streets – there’s something interesting to see at every turn.

Main Square

The main square in the town – People’s Square ( Narodni trg ) is a welcoming space to walk through, and is home to a number of cafes, the Town Hall and the Bradamante Palace . This impressive building with its red facade gives off an Italian feel…and it may come as no surprise to learn that it is presently used as the centre of the Italian community of Vodnjan. Over the years it has had many diverse uses – amongst them as a loggia, a theatre, a residential building and even a prison.

There are a great number of churches in and around Vodnjan, the most prominent of which is the Church of St Blaise. This church is not only the largest church in Istria but also has the tallest belltower in the county – at 62m tall. Inside are a number of prized works of art and the mummified bodies of a number of saints, wearing the clothes they were buried in and set in glass coffins. (Yes, you did read that last sentence correctly.)

Museums and Galleries

Apoteka is a contemporary art space housed in a former pharmacy (Croatian: apoteka ). It hosts regular exhibitions as well as focusing on art research and generation.

As you wander around the town, you may notice some large, brightly painted murals appearing on the sides of a number of buildings. (See below.) Totalling almost 40 altogether, these were created for and during the Boombarstick Street Art Festival which took place in 2013. There is a useful map on the Vodnjan Tourist Office website which shows the location of all of the murals, should you want to tick off all of them!

Eating and Drinking in Vodnjan

Vodnjanka offers traditional Istrian fare – think dishes comprising cheese, salamis, pastas, olive oil – in a cosy indoor setting. (Outdoor terrace also available!)

Stancija Bursic is a prosciutto and olive oil producer just on the outskirts of Vodnjan. Whilst it’s possible to enjoy prosciutto and oil tastings here, there is also an onsite restaurant that is open daily in summer. Offering pasta and meat stew dishes, their menu also allows you ample opportunity to try their top-quality prosciutto.

Pizza and BBQ Buffalo is for those times when you’re in a fast-food kind of mood, with a heavy emphasis (unsurprisingly) on meat and pizza dishes! Give their cevapcici (grilled mincemeat sausages) a go!

Winery Babos offers wine tastings of their white, red and sparkling wines as well as their olive oil.

Accommodation

There are no hotels in Vodnjan or the immediate nearby area; if you’d prefer to stay in a hotel, we’d recommend doing so in Pula or perhaps even Medulin .

There are, however, a good number of private apartments and villas to stay in in the Vodnjan region. Take a look at what’s available on the Booking.com – Vodnjan website.

You can learn more about the town on the delightful Vodnjan Tourist Office website.

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15 reasons to visit Vodnjan in Istria

I bet you’ve hardly heard of Vodnjan (if you’ve heard of it at all). A small town, located just 10 km north of Pula, is often overlooked by visitors to Istria. Yet, we think everybody should visit it, and here are the reasons to do so.

#1: Vodnjan might look a bit worn out, but it has plenty of historical buildings, loads of churches (for those interested in sacral architecture and art), real mummies, the highest bell tower in Istria, and some of the best olive oil producers in all Croatia.

#2: Vodnjan, at times, was a bigger town than Pula. It kind of goes with a no. 1 (it really has a lot of historical buildings).

#3: Vodnjan’s constitution dates back to 1492, the same year Columbus discovered America.

#4:  Vodnjan was the first town in Istria to get electric city lights. That first electric lamp still stands there.

#5:  Vodnjan has the longest street in all Istria. It also has the narrowest street in Istria. Go, check it yourself!

#6:  Vodnjan hosts a yearly Festival of Fresh Olive Oils. It takes place in November, and this is the place to taste some of the best olive oils in Istria.

#7:  Some of the world’s best olive oils are produced by olive oil producers from Vodnjan like Chiavalon, Meloto, and Moscarda.

#8:  Vodnjan is also popular for its Vin de Rose. No, silly, it’s not a wine made of roses, it’s just a name of this sweet, but strong dessert wine. It’s made of Muscat grapes, pressed as late as in December (something like ice wine).

#9:  The oldest olive tree in this area, called Olivo de Masina, is 500 years old and it alone produces 400 kg of olives a year.

#10:  Locals refer to themselves as Bumbari, bumblebees. I don’t know about you, but it sounds super friendly to me.

#11:  Why go to Egypt to see mummies when you can see them in Vodnjan. And you can do so without a horde of tourists. Mummies are exposed in stacked glass cases in the Church of Saint Blaise in Vodnjan.

#12:  A restaurant Vodnjanka , located in Istarska Ulica in Vodnjan, serves traditional Istrian dishes, and it is one of the best restaurants in Istria .

#13:  Meat lovers will like to know that the Chiavalon family produces, not only the best olive oil in Istria but also awesome homemade pork salami. They raise their own pigs in the nearby woods.

#14:  You can explore Vodnjan’s street in an old carriage pulled by Istrian working donkeys.

#15:  Ecomuseum in Vodnjan might be small in size but it’s full of great ideas, or its founders are. Run by local enthusiasts and volunteers, the ecomuseum organizes a variety of events, workshops, culinary classes, and other activities in order to preserve the traditions of Vodnjan. Superb place to visit and learn about life in Vodnjan in some other times.

We hope that we’ve given you enough reasons to visit Vodnjan. So on your next trip to Istria, don’t just skip Vodnjan. Stop by, explore, and get to know bumblebees.

Any questions? Please, leave them in the comments below.

Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. And if you purchase anything using these links, we earn a little commission with no extra costs for you. Thank you for supporting our blog! Read full disclaimer here.

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4 thoughts on “15 reasons to visit Vodnjan in Istria”

Good luck with the move! Hope you’ll enjoy Vodnjan and Istria.

Ein (bzw 15) Grund/Gründe mehr, im September dorthin zu ziehen! :-) danke für die vielen Tipps!

Hvala, Zeljka!

Liebe Vera, Lieber Frank, Danke für die 15 Gründe warum man Vodnjan sehen sollte. Wir sind ganz eurer Meinung! Aus diesen Gründen haben wir und in Vodnjan vor 3 Jahren ein Steinhaus gekauft und sind immer noch Begeistert von diesem Ort, der Nähe zum Meer zu Pula und den vielen Sehenswürdigkeiten. Ideal für uns ist auch das in Vodnjan 2 -sprachig gesprochen wird (kroatisch und italienisch) da mein Mann Italiener ist. Somit kann ich euch nur Zustimmen! Vodnjan sollte man mal gesehen haben.

Liebe Grüße Zeljka

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Welcome to the City of Vodnjan- medieval centre!

Vodnjan is situated near Pula, where excellent olive oil is produced, and its surroundings have the largest number of kažun houses, dry-stone houses in the Mediterranean. The largest church in Istria –Parish Church of St Blase was built at the end of the 18th century, with the 63-metre-high bell tower. The church holds a valuable collection of sacral art and preserved bodies of saints, the so-called Vodnjan mummies, due to which it is visited by around 16000 people a year. The collection of sacral art exhibited in the Church contains over 700 items dating from the 5th to 19th century. When you walk the streets of Vodnjan, especially Trgovačka street which is the longest city street in Istria, visit beautiful palaces. The Bettica palace was built in the 14th century in the Gothic-Renaissance style, and numerous frescoes were found there. On Narodni Square are the Neo-Gothic Town Palace, dating from 1911, and the Baroque Bradamante Palace from the 17th century.

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Discover bizarre mummies, admire contemporary art and sample superior olive oil in Vodnjan, Istria's hidden gem

Top-quality olive oil, strange stone huts and mummified saints attract visitors to charming little Vodnjan, conveniently located near Pula in the south-west of Istria.

Get lost in a maze of streets

Postcard-perfect Vodnjan conceals ecclesiastical treasures and a wealth of architectural detail around its medieval churches and Venetian mansions. Exploring focal Piazza del Popolo reveals façades and entrances bearing ancestral coats of arms, while the narrowest street in Istria numbers among the winding, cobbled thoroughfares. Getting lost is half the fun.

Admire Vodnjan’s arty side

Vodnjan brings out the creative spirit, strikingly illustrated by the 30 murals painted across the city’s façades for the Street Art and Boombarstick Festivals. Challenging exhibitions regularly fill a former apothecary, today the Apoteka Space for Contemporary Art, a few paces from Piazza del Popolo. In summer, El Magazein gallery stages exhibitions, poetry readings and book presentations. Its walls built by traditional elements of red clay and other materials local to Vodnjan, rather than plain concrete, El Magazein is known for its special acoustics, ideal for live classical and jazz performances.

Sample supreme olive oil

Vodnjan is the centre of Istria’s celebrated extra virgin olive-oil production. Olives have been produced here since Roman times. Because of Vodnjan’s northerly latitude, olives ripen later and produce few acids. They are superior to those grown elsewhere in Croatia, where machines do most of the harvesting work. In Vodnjan, handpicking is the norm. Each crop may yield a relatively small quantity, but its quality is superb. The renowned authority on olive oil, Flos Olei, consistently ranks Vodnjan’s producers as among the world’s best, most notably Baioco, Brist, Cadenela, Chiavalon, Meloto, Oio Vivo, Salvela, San Antonio and Tonin.

Take a bike ride around Vodnjan’s stone-craft heritage The local craft of dry-stone walling was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. The creation of these stone huts, kažuni , has been described as ‘architecture without an architect’, a single-use material deployed for the entire structure, few other components and rapid, economical construction. Today, the kažun gives Vodnjan a distinct identity and great local pride. One particular cycle route starts where Vodnjan begins, with the largest concentration of stone huts in the Mediterranean, Kažun Park. The trail then winds through unspoiled nature, Fontana pond brimming with bird life and traces of different cultures leaving their mark on the land.

Visit the Vodnjan mummies

One of Istria’s most unusual attractions brings thousands of visitors each year to St Blaise Parish Church, right in the historic centre of Vodnjan. Among the treasures comprising a 700-strong collection of valuable sacred art, dating between the fifth and 19th centuries, the preserved bodies of three saints kept under glass are the biggest draw. The so-called Vodnjan mummies are thought to possess healing powers, hence the significant number of pilgrims among the tourists.

Relax at the beach At Peroj, along a pretty promenade 2.5 kilometres long, you can catch a stunning sunset, chill at a beach bar and try your hand at water sports. On gentle summer evenings, live music plays on the seafront, backdropped by lovely views of the Brijuni Islands on the near horizon. Peroj also has two designated dog beaches and a special pet shower so four-legged friends can enjoy their holiday, too. For peace and quiet, nature lovers can head for the isolated beaches of Barbariga, where the sinking sun is particularly magical.

Experience rural life Tradition, culture and local produce combine at the Istrian de Dignan – Ecomuseum. In a rustically furnished house, this innovative approach to sightseeing allows visitors to delve into many facets of Vodnjan’s rich heritage. The Didactic Farm – Museum of Rural Culture shows how this produce has been cultivated for generations. As for folklore, August’s annual international festival, Leron, showcases Vodnjan’s own two-part singing tradition, bassi, included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Savour traditional cuisine Since 1966, the Vodnjanka restaurant has revered culinary tradition by using local, natural and seasonal ingredients for its famed home-made pasta, fine prosciutto and fabulous cheeses. Another local delicacy is boškarin, traditional Istrian beef. For dessert, there’s the time-honoured Bumbarska torta, a melt-in-the-mouth almond cake.

Discover Vodnjan’s archaeological and ecclesiastical heritage

More than 60 historical churches and their remains are found here. The best-known and most intriguing are basilicas such as St Michael of Banjole, and St Fusca and St Stephen’s Church in Peroj. The churches of Betiga near Barbariga rank among the oldest in Croatia. Around Vodnjan, the Romans left their particular method of land division, centuriation, in the regular grid layout that streaks the land. If you head towards Barbariga from Peroj, right on the beach, Dragonera displays the remains of a Roman villa.

Walk in the footsteps of medieval locals

Some 3km from Vodnjan, a marked trail to the medieval village of Guran takes you along pretty countryside past dry-stone walls, vineyards and olive groves. Along the way, you’ll find the remains of the Church of St Simon, and Cijana Pond a little further on. Soon you reach Guran and, following a short climb, a three-aisled basilica from the Middle Ages, and the remains of St Cecilia Church. Afterwards, treat yourself to a bite at the Sia centre, famous for its Istrian cheese.

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Vodnjan

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Vodnjan (Pula, Istria)

• Vodnjan is situated 10 km north from Pula, on elevation of 135 m. It is located at the intersection of the main road Buje – Pula on the Istrian Y. Vodnjan is a municipal town with a bilingual culture (Italian and Croatian) and heterogeneous population.

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• Chiavalon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Vodnjan is a sleepy Istrian village that contains one of the region's most macabre sights. There's not much to see in the tiny town. Unmarked by tourism, it retains an authentic Istrian flavor with nice architectural details. Most people go for the unique Baroque 18th-century Church of St. Blaise . Pleasant enough on the outside, it's the interior that draws visitors.

Behind the main altar of the Church of St. Blaise and in a separate room lie the desiccated remains of six saints that were, in effect, mummified. The clothed bodies of St. Leon Bembo, St. Ivan John Olini, and St. Nicoloza Bursa, as well as assorted parts of three other saints, lie enclosed in glass. For unknown reasons, the bodies and body parts failed to decompose. The skin and nails darkened and dried, making the corpses look curiously wooden. In addition to the "mummies", the church reliquary contains 380 relics enclosed in glass, including the undecayed tongue of St. Mary of Egypt.

While you absorb the creepy ambiance, a CD explains who the saints were, how they lived and how they died. Odd.

Among the less grisly exhibits, notice the 14th-century polyptych painted by Paolo Veneziano that depicts scenes from the life and death of St. Bembo.

Getting to Vodnjan

Vodnjan is seven miles or 10 kilometers north of Pula to which it is linked by hourly buses.

Accommodation in Vodnjan

Hotel Villa Letan is a wonderful four-star hotel in Vodnjan. See more Vodnjan accommodation.

Tourist Information in Vodnjan

The Vodnjan tourist office (tel 052 511 700) is in the centre of town at Narodni trg 3.

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Tourist destination info Vodnjan

Vodnjan is a town in the southwestern region of Istria , 10 km from Pula . According to a legend it was founded from a group of seven villas which were a part of Pula’s colonial property. This is an area of old traditions, built on the traces of prehistoric buildings. The center of the town maintains its medieval look with tight streets which swerve between houses, with stone facades, old streets in the characteristic Gothic-Venetian, Renaissance and Baroque styles, as well as numerous churches filled with memories and works. The town is full of cultural and historical monuments: church of St. Blaž (built on the remains of an early Roman church destroyed in 1781, whose size with its dome reach 25 meters, making it the largest parish church in Istria ), Our Lady of Carmel, church of St. Jacob (evidence of important historical events, such as the signing of the peace treaty with Pula in 1331), church of St. Catherine, church of St. Mary Traverse and the palace of the Bettica family (a popular castle built in 1330 which today holds a museum). Through generations, the city’s inhabitants have passed down their rich local folklore, valuable and colorful traditional clothing, hair jewelry, centuries old songs, dances and ceremonies. The main economic activities are farming, wine production, olive growing, livestock breeding and tourism. Vodnjan and its surrounding area are a well known agrarian region, especially due to its wine and olive oil traditions. The old torca in Vodnjan reminds us of the traditional method of milling olives. If you are a culinary enthusiast, you can taste the specialties of this region in the restaurants “Girotondo”, “Mali Bože”, “San Rocco” and “21”. There are various sports and recreation activities in Vodnjan , such as cycling, horseback riding, golf, tennis, beach volleyball, fishing or, if you enjoy the depths of the sea, you can explore underwater rocks, the variety of the sea world and the remains of ships. During the summer time, Vodnjan hosts various festivities, such as the “Lavender Festival”, “Leron” (international folklore festival) and “Sweet Summer” (tasting of traditional desserts). While in Vodnjan , do not miss the opportunity to visit Pula and Rovinj .

Rovinj is a small city located on the western coast of Istria, full of historical importance. Enjoy sight seeing with the Old Town, City Walls and Gates, Church of St. Euphemia, Baptistry of the Holy Trinity, Franciscan Monastery, the castle on the island of St. Andrew and others. Apart from its historical landmarks, Rovinj is rich with natural beauty, as well. Be sure to visit sights such as Limska Draga, the Rovinj islands and coastal region, “Zlatni Rat” Forest Park, “Fantazija” quarry, “Palud” marsh and the Dvije Sestrice islands.

Pula is a city rich with historical and cultural monuments. The city center is dominated by the 6th largest ancient amphitheater in the world. We also recommend you view the triumphal arch of the Sergijans, the gates of Hercules, the Lowe Gate, Augustus’ temple, , the Forum, the navy cemetery and many others. The city offers a wide variety of sports and recreational activities as well. You can take part in windsurfing, basketball, tennis, sailing, panoramic flights, nature climbing, golf, scuba diving, walking, cycling and many others.

Make accommodation reservations from our offer for Vodnjan and spend an unforgettable vacation with your family or friends exploring the beauty of Istria.

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Keep exploring Vodnjan Region:

• Rt Kamenjak
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• The gates of Hercules
• Arch of the Sergii - Golden Gate
• Istrian Hand Made

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Destinations nearby

• Peroj ( 4.41  km)
• Fazana ( 5.12  km)
• Valbandon ( 5.55  km)
• Divsici (Marcana) ( 6.96  km)
• Stinjan (Pula) ( 7.89  km)
• Muntic ( 8.36  km)
• Brijuni ( 8.66  km)
• Pula ( 10.13  km)
• Bale ( 10.73  km)
• Sajini (Barban) ( 10.94  km)
• Bratulici (Marcana) ( 11.94  km)
• Krnica (Pula) ( 13.15  km)
• Svetvincenat ( 14.45  km)
• Banjole ( 14.96  km)
• Hrboki (Barban) ( 15.15  km)
• Rakalj ( 15.82  km)
• Medulin ( 16.56  km)
• Liznjan ( 16.76  km)
• Barban ( 17.25  km)
• Grzina ( 18.03  km)
• Premantura ( 18.19  km)
• Vlakovo (Labin) ( 19.92  km)

What our guests say about Vodnjan

Vodnjan recommended accommodation.

* prices for June 2024 based on the maximum capacity for a minimum stay of 7 days

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Split, May 23th, 2018

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Visit Vodnjan: From Ancient Mummies to Baby Unicorns

Paul Bradbury

October 6, 2023

October 6, 2023 – A delightful blend of young and old, culture and gastronomy – it is time to visit Vodnjan.

As a late arrival to the Istria Appreciation Society, I often wonder if I am the only person who struggled with identifying the individual towns and villages of inland Istria. Can you tell your Buje from Buzet, for example, Labin or Pazin, or differentiate between Visnjan, Groznjan or Vodnjan?

A cursory trip will reveal that while they all have the similarity of being superbly preserved authentic historic towns, there is plenty of individual magic to set each apart from the rest, as I discovered when I when to visit Vodnjan earlier this year.

The occasion was the Nikola Tesla EV Rally, which took participants on an exquisite luxury tour of Istria and the Croatian coast. Watching the rally drivers heading to the main square through the historic ancient streets in their modern Teslas was a perfect mirror of Vodnjan itself. For this is a town where the ancient and the modern are in total harmony and helping the town to grow nicely.

What Tesla has done for the electric car industry globally, three chaps from Vodnjan have done for Croatia and its IT sector. But unlike many successful businesses which head to Zagreb or foreign climes, the boys from Infobip decided that they wanted to focus their business in their home town, despite becoming the first billion dollar company in Croatia – the first Croatian unicorn.

As the company expands, so does the residential area around Infobip, which lies on the outskirts of town. Tastefully done, all low-level in keeping with the rest of the town, and so neat and tidy. As was Vodnjan and its surroundings. A strong first impression.

The first unicorn may set Vodnjan apart, but so too does its most famous attraction – ancient mummies. According to the Vodnjan Tourist Board:

One of the peculiarities of St. Blaise are the mummified bodies of saints. Behind the main altar lie the preserved bodies of three saints – St. Leon Bembo (+1188), St. John Olini (+1300) and St. Nicoloza Bursa(+1512). Smaller undecomposed parts of saints’ bodies are also kept here: torso of St. Sebastian (+282), foot of St. Barbara (+288.), tongue of St. Mary of Egypt (+522) and the right index finger of the Patriarch of Constantinople St. Eutychius (+582).

​​​​​​​The Vodnjan parish church keeps altogether 370 registered relics or earthly remains of 250 saints. An undisputable scientific explanation of their preservation has not yet been found; it is supposed that the body can remain preserved for so long under certain circumstances: in low temperature, if death occurred due to arsenic poisoning or if the body was buried in soil rich with iron and tannin. St. Leon Bembo, St. John Olini and St. Nicoloza Bursa were proclaimed saints via facti, therefore after it was proven that they were meritorious for numerous healings.

Vodnjan was blissfully quiet in late May when we visited. It had a wonderful calming effect, where nothing seemed to happen in a hurry. I liked that and – apart from the beauty of its wonderful streets and buildings – my favourite moment was watching this older couple take in the tranquillity of the moment. Croatia, Full of Lifestyle.

There were plenty of other joys to take in, as well as what I think is a totally unique (and TOTALLY delicious) addition to the Croatian gastro scene.

While I am a big fan of prsut, I have tasted so much over the years in so many different places, that it is hard to get overly excited at the prospect of another prsut tasting. Prsutana Bursic in Vodnjan was different, with a lot more on offer than just the outstanding domestic prsut.

A great addition to the restaurant and tasting area to ensure fun for all the family – a very well-equipped childen’s play area, which allowed for a relaxed experience for all the family. A nice touch, which was typical of the higher levels of service I encountered in inland Istria.

But the real discovery at this delightful family-run slice of prsut heaven was about to be revealed…

Pancetta chips, as fabulous a bar snack as I have come across anywhere, and the brainchild of the owner’s wife and a little extra time during the pandemic. Don’t miss them when you visit Vodnjan.

This was not my first visit to Vodnjan. That was a few years ago on the occasion of the olive harvest and another reason to visit Vodnjan – the world-class (and multiple award-winning) olive oil of Chiavalon.

It is also one of my favourite stories in Croatia. Back in 1997, when his grandfather got sick, there was nobody to look after the 50 family olive trees. And so a teenage grandson took on the task, and discovered a love and a passion – ably helped with his more business-minded elder brother.

When I checked a few years ago, they had grown the business from those initial 50 trees to more than 17,000 litres of oil a year, and just like the pressed olives at harvest time, the global awards and accolades have not stopped flowing.

A teenage boy’s dream to a new facility and some of the most modern facilities in the region’s olive oil production.

But still faithful to the important things in life – nature, family, and lifestyle.

Visit Vodnjan, where ancient and modern, world-class and so very local, merge in perfect harmony.

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Vodnjan, Croatia – an amazing street art town in Istria

Medieval atria, narrow cobbled streets, old stone houses remembering the past centuries… And between them, in the nooks and crannies of the buildings: murals, graffiti, street art! This combination is like the clash of two completely different worlds. That’s how it is in Vodnjan . A small Croatian town just 12 km from Pula, Istria. This place surprises everyone who finds it.

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  28 comments for “ Vodnjan, Croatia – an amazing street art town in Istria ”

Street art in a 1,000+-year-old Istrian town is incredible. But it seems to becoming the norm all over the world, almost everywhere I travel.

True, there is now a real boom on street art everywhere. However, some murals are very interesting. Sometimes such a picture on the wall of the building can change the gray area and make it more friendly and colorful. However, until now I used to watch murals in post-industrial cities, I never saw street art in such a small historic town.

You’ve done an exceptional job capturing images of this town. How cool that is covered in so much beautiful street art!

Thank you, Caitlin 🙂

Wow! I had no idea about this town. I LOVE street art and I also love exploring medieval European towns like Vodnjan. I can’t believe that I would be able to do both here. Your photos are gorgeous.

Thank you, Nicole! In Istria and in all of Croatia there are many such hidden gems 🙂 That’s why I like visiting this country so much.

How beautiful these murals pop among the dull colored buildings?! Your photographs pulled me in and told a great story of Vodnjan!

Thank you, Jordin 🙂 I’m glad you like the photos.

I have to admit that I am more comfortable when things are pretty planned out but the spontaneous things are always the most memorable. Street art in this old town is quite a contradiction. I started checking out street art when I visit places a couple of years ago and have come to enjoy most of it.

True, when everything is planned, it is certainly much more comfortable, but also a bit boring. That’s why I try to leave my comfort zone as often as possible. Magical things happen then. 🙂

WOW! I never heard of Vodnjan – but from your photos I clearly have to visit! This is so beautiful. Great job on this post – definitely a surprise. The streets are absolutely breathtaking!

It is a pity that I did not have more time to walk the streets of Vodnjan, there are certainly more treasures hidden there. Maybe someday I’ll come back and check it out. Thanks for the comment, Yara 🙂

Ilove street art and make a habit to find it on my travels, br I never knew Croatia had such beautiful displays

I was surprised too. I heard that there is also a lot of interesting street art in Zagreb, but I have never been there :). Anyway, Vodnjan is a very interesting place and it’s worth visiting.

Thanks for this article! I’m from Serbia, but I haven’t had a chance to visit Croatia yet. When I do, I’ll be sure to check out Vodnjan. You really captured the dramatic contrast between the ancient cobblestone charm and the modern art flair in your pictures. Well done!

Hi, Valentina! Thank you, I’m glad you like my article. I, on the other hand, have never been to Serbia! And you know what? I would love to visit your country one day. I heard that it is really beautiful there.

It is funny and interesting that I learned about Vodnjan street art and the Boombarstick and Street Art Festival from your blog post. I have never heard of it before. And guess what? I am from Croatia. Thanks for introducing Vodnjan street art to me!

Pozdrav iz Hrvatske! <3

xoxo Milijana

Oh great! In which city or region of Croatia do you live? Your country is beautiful, I visit Croatia as often as I can. I always spend a fantastic time there! Pozdrowienia z Polski, Milijana 🙂

These street art and graffiti are gorgeous and unique. So awesome that the community supports these many artists.

Yes, it’s really great that artists can create their murals in Vodnjan. Thanks to this town is completely different than the rest of the places in Istria. 🙂

This looks like a gorgeous little town in Croatia! I am intrigued to know that they actually have remnants of saints in the church, I don’t think I have heard that being done as common practice in other places. Also, the cobbled stone streets are amazing, it’s the kind of place that I love exploring. I have been to Croatia, though I haven’t heard of Vodnjan before. The street art is also amazing – you’re right in saying its like an open-air art gallery, you’ve captured the essence of it in your beautiful pictures!

From what I know also in the nearby Rovinj in the church is a sarcophagus with remnants of Saint. Euphemia that has been thrown out here by the sea. For me, this is nothing surprising actually, because there are many churches in Poland where there are relics of saints. We just have the same religion as the Croats and that is why there are many similarities between us 🙂

I always hear about dubrovbik in Croatia, thank you for bringing a different but equally interesting city to my attention!

Dubrovnik is such a top tourist attraction in Croatia, Vodnjan is rather off the beaten track. However, it is worth visiting this place 🙂

Wow, I love those streets, the colours are so nice. And the street art is amazing. I plan on returning to discover Croatia. (Only went to Dubrovnik for a couple of days before a flight home from the Balkans and I was disappointed.)

Oh why were you disappointed? Didn’t you like Dubrovnik?

Thank you and I appreciate your comment.

• Pingback: Top 10 things to do in Rovinj, Croatia | Epepa Travel Blog

Top Things to Do in Vodnjan, Croatia - Vodnjan Must-See Attractions

Things to do in vodnjan, explore popular experiences, private sightseeing tours.

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