Motovun-Montona

According to the legend, Motovun is a town inhabited by giants. It is also the best preserved urban complex of medieval Istria.

Magical Motovun is the best preserved medieval urban complex in Istria. It is a home to a world-class film festival. The town center is situated on a hilltop, encircled by massive walls from the 13th and 14th centuries, fortified with towers. The town centre consists of Renaissance and Gothic houses, a Renaissance mansion-castle and a late Renaissance church. The bell tower is from the 13th century. The Town Hall is the largest Romanesque building of its kind in Croatia. The legend says that Motovun was once inhabited by giants.

The forest of Motovun is the last preserved lowland Mediterranean autochthonous forest of common oak, narrow-leafed ash and elm. There are only three such forests preserved on the Mediterranean.

Motovun-Montona

As Motovun was encircled by double walls, its entrance was through two gates above which the tower was erected in the 16th c. The walls of Motovun are the best preserved walls in Istria.

Twin Gates of Motovun

The Romanesque Communal Palace was erected within the inner walls during the 12th or the 13th cc.

The Communal Palace in Motovun

The present appearance of the Kaštel Hotel, located in the palace castle of the Polesini family, is much different than its original, 17th c. Renaissance look.

The building of the castle in Motovun

The forest of Motovun is the last preserved lowland Mediterranean autochthonous forest of common oak, narrow-leafed ash and elm. There are only three such forests preserved on the Mediterranean.

The Forest of Motovun