Easy hikes and walks around Općina Žminj

The Church of St. Michael in Žminj was built in the 16th century and has been one of the most important religious buildings in the area ever since. It boasts exquisite craftsmanship, with colored stones sourced from a mine in nearby Gradišće.

The Church of Saint Catherine is a simple building dating back to the 15th century. It features a bell gable and a loggia, which was added in the 18th century. In the Church of Saint Catherine, the frescoes are arranged along the north, south, and west walls of the chapel and depict the cycle of legends related to the life of the saint. The central space is occupied by the image of the Madonna and Child, while below, Saint Catherine, with her hand outstretched and Jesus grasping her fingers, symbolizes the act of the mystical marriage. The frescoes were created under the influence of 15th-century Italian painting, more specifically Venetian.

The Morosini-Grimani Castle is the symbol of Svetvinčenat (Sanvincenti) and one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Istria. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when the De Castro Pola family built their first fortified residence there. Passed to the Morosini family in the 15th century, it was transformed into a true fortress and, after a devastating fire in 1586, rebuilt in Renaissance style by the Grimani family with the help of Venetian architects. The quadrangular structure with three towers and an elegant noble palace combined defensive, administrative, and economic functions: grain storage, armory, and the captain's residence. Topped by the Grimani coat of arms, which later became the emblem of the city, the castle endured centuries of wars, fires, and dominations, until it was once again destroyed in the Second World War. Today, after careful restoration, the castle has come back to life: it hosts exhibitions, events, and multimedia tours that allow visitors to discover the history of Svetvinčenat and one of the most fascinating Istrian fortresses.

Little is known about this church. Located off the beaten track, it's definitely worth a detour. Perched atop a cliff-like rock formation in the thick of the forest, it captivates with its aura of mysterious charm. The little historical information available dates it to the 15th century and was built by order of the Bishop of Poreč.

Small bar with a great view of the castle, where you can taste the Kampanjola beer produced in Sventvincenat 😋

Definitely not an easy hike! Beautiful panoramas at the quarry and the abandoned railway tracks in the valley. In wet conditions, the climb up the final section is life-threatening. PS: We're not beginners, but we turned around anyway. Others can play the hero.

Delicious Croatian cuisine, excellent service and warmth characterize this restaurant. Highly recommended.

The church was built in the 15th century and is a simple Gothic church located on the north side of the parish church of St. Michael the Archangel. Interestingly, in the past it was a free-standing church in the Žminj Castle. It is built of stone blocks of local limestone and its roof is covered with slate. A new door and two rectangular windows on the front were built in 1601, as can be seen from the doorpost record above the entrance. It is painted with frescoes and similar ones can only be seen in neighboring Slovenia, in Kranjska. The frescoes depict scenes from the life of Christ; childhood, flight to Egypt, the fall of the Egyptian idols, the slaughter of innocent children, the return of the Holy Family from Egypt, baptism in Jordan, banishment of the temple merchants, last supper, Christ on the Mount of Olives, Judas' kiss, Christ before Pilate, resurrection, holy woman at the empty tomb, Christ appearing to the eleven disciples, doubting Thomas, ascension into heaven. The models for these paintings come from the Bible pauperum; Bibles of the poor from the Middle Ages, dominated by illustrations, with or without short text. Some paintings are the only exhibits in the entire corpus of preserved Istrian wall paintings, such as the Kiss of Judas, which contains a beautiful depiction of St. Peter, one of the most beautiful figures in Istrian wall painting. The frescoes were restored in the 1970s, and to view them it is necessary to enter the parish church of St. Michael. Source: https://www.tzzminj.hr/index.php/de/kultur/kirchen-und-kapellen/die-heilige-dreifaltigkeitskirche