The best running trails around Općina Brtonigla

large square with several establishments (they also offer bike parking for customers)

The Dajla Monastery complex in Croatia is a former Benedictine monastery near Novigrad, which has had a long history: from a medieval monastery to a noble summer residence, and finally back to a monastery in the 19th century. Abandoned after World War II and nationalized by the Yugoslav regime, it was later used as a retirement home before being left abandoned again. The current ownership is the subject of a legal dispute between the local diocese and the Benedictines of Praglia, but the complex remains a cultural monument of great architectural value.

perfect place to watch the sunset

directly adjacent to a beautiful stretch of beach

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Monumental architectural complex that, by virtue of its harmonious beauty and its long and troubled past, attracts the attention of experts and passers-by. The neoclassical appearance, the only example of its kind in Istria, dates back to 1839, and is due to the French architect Le Terrier de Manetot. In place of a pre-existing building with four towers, an elegant rectangular two-storey villa was built, flanked on the front side by two buildings of almost identical appearance. The architect de Manetot, respecting the previous stylistic period, left intact the baroque church of San Giovanni Battista (consecrated in 1783), located to the east of the main corpus, and erected in front of it a new building (the chaplain's residence), with an architectural appearance identical to that of the church. The mirror reflection strongly accentuates the symmetry of the main building and introduces us, through what was once a well-kept garden, to an imposing portal that separates the architectural complex from the seashore. A small pier testifies that in times past the villa was accessible from the sea. In the mid-13th century it was abandoned and became the property of the bishops of Novigrad-Cittanova. In 1273, Bishop Nicholas donated the property to the wealthy Sabini family of Capodistria, who had it renovated, which is why the former monastery adopted the name of Dajla Castle (Castrum Dailae). In 1736, since the Sabini family was left without heirs, it passed into the hands of the Grisoni counts of Capodistria. In the first half of the 19th century it was converted into a summer residence. Following a family tragedy, Count Francesco Grisoni in 1835 offered the villa as a vow to the Benedictine friars of Santa Maria di Praglia (Padua), on the condition that they would commit to promoting education in the area. The monastery remained in operation until 1948, the year in which Istria passed to Tito's socialist Yugoslavia. Until 1989, the former monastery served as a retirement home for the elderly and a hospice for the poor. Since then it has been in a state of abandonment. In 2011 it was at the center of a dispute between the Holy See, the local diocese and the Croatian government, with its restitution to the Croatian Catholic Church.

The church used to stand on the mainland, outside the city walls of Umag.

Lovrečica The small holiday resort of Lovrecica is picturesquely embedded in the beautiful Istrian landscape, between Cape Malin and Cape Lovrecic, in a picturesque bay. Although lively Umag is only 7km away, visitors can expect blissful peace and quiet here. Near the town, the enchanting little church of St. Lovre entices you to visit it. The saint is also the patron saint of the place. He is honored in a cheerful folk festival every year on August 10th. On this day, a large number of choir singers and musicians perform traditional and classical music pieces in Lovrecica. The locals also hold competitions in various disciplines: card games, fishing, volleyball and football, to name just a few. In and around the town, both sports fans and fishing fans will find numerous opportunities to pursue their hobby. Wonderful, often paved or tarred paths along the coast invite walkers or joggers to take long tours. The sea off Lovrecica is rich in tasty fish. If you don't want to fish yourself, you can also enjoy the delicious seafood freshly prepared in one of the local traditional restaurants. Located north of Lovrecica, in the direction of Umag, is the excellently equipped car campsite "Finida".