Vodnjan-Dignano

The 63 meter high Vodnjan bell town is the highest in Istria. Its church hides true treasure, mummified bodies of saints and celestials.

Vodnjan will thrill you with the mummified bodies of its saints and celestials, kept in the Church of St. Blaise. Built from 1760 to 1850, the church has a rich interior and the highest bell tower in Istria (63 m). Vodnjan has preserved its medieval town appearance and its Istrian-Romanic dialect. Churches, houses and manors with Renaissance and Gothic details encircle the main square. Many churches, dating from pre-Romanesque times up to the 19th century can be found in the surrounding. area.

The Kažun Park was opened to preserve a special method of construction of this typical stone structure. Kažun has one room, its layout is round with a conic roof.

The Kažun Park

The Benussi House is a Gothic structure with a carved funny inscription by which the house owner is saying to the passers-by: thank you for asking, I am fine.

The Benussi House

The Bettica Palace was built in the 14th century. Having been the home of the Bettica family for several centuries, today it is used by the Museum of the town of Vodnjan.

The Bettica Palace

The Portarol Palace, also known as Castelleto, is a recently refurbished Gothic structure. Today it is the seat of the Vodnjan Open University.

The Portarol Palace - Castelletto

One of the most impressive structures in Vodnjan and entire Istria is certainly the parish church of St. Blaise, well-known to pilgrims from all over the world. Apart from the relics of St. Blaise, Vodnjan's parish church also keeps 370 relics belonging to 250 different saints. In addition to one of the thorns from Jesus' crown, fragment of the Holy Virgin's veil, particle of Jesus' Cross and many others, a special attraction are the desiccated remains of saints whose bodies or body parts have been completely preserved: St. Sebastian, St. Barbara, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Leon Bembo, St. Giovanni Olini and St. Nicolosa Bursa.

Parish Church of St. Blaise