All cultural sights

Istrian castles

Istrian castles are located strategically. Although mostly abandoned today, they used to provide homes to the most powerful noble families.

The Istrian Middle Ages was characterized by castles, strategically located homes of feudal lords who resided in them and contolled their lands. In the Late Middle Ages, during the reign of Venice and the Habsburg Monarchy, the most intensive erection of castles was recorded. Architectually, they are very alike: built from stone, with a main tower, walls, estate and residential buildings and the yard.

The Church of Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje was located above the settlement. As it was the most precious building and a sanctuary for local inhabitants, it was encircled by walls.

Hrastovlje

As its very name says, it was originally two towns, Moncastello and Castel Parentino. Only Moncastello's ruins remained.

Dvigrad

The Morosini-Grimani Castle is a medieval edifice with expressed Renaissance features. It was named after the two families, its owners.

Morosini-Grimani Castle

The Castle of Pazin is the biggest and best preserved fortress in Istria. Its appearance changed with its owners. It is the site of the Jules Verne's Mathias Sandor.

The Castle of Pazin

Medieval Hum is known as the smallest town in the world. It was first mentioned in 1102 in the deed of gift by Marquis Ulrich II.

The Castle in Hum

Only a ruin today, the Momjan castle is located above the Dragonja river. It is known as the Rota castle after the Rota family who owned it for several hundred years.

The Momjan Castle

Pietrapelosa, the castle above the Mirna River, has never been completely destroyed. Its name literally means a hairy fortress. The Chapel of St. Magdalene has also been preserved.

The Pietrapelosa Castle

The Podpeč Castle is the most recognizable for its round tower with Renaissance architectural elements such as the wreath or gun holes. The House of Prkič is the most famous.

The Podpeč Castle

The fortress of Črni Kal was noted in the 11th century. Apart from being a resting place for traders and travellers, it was also the place of the conflict between the Habsburgs and the Venetians for the dominance of Koper.

The Fortress of Črni Kal

Socerb was founded on the ruins of an Illyrian hill-fort. The fortress expanded during the Middle Ages. Due to its excellent geographic position, it used to be a constant target in the wars between the Venice and the people of Trieste.

The Socerb Castle

Located on the steep hill, Kožljak's very name points to its inaccessible position. Its residential part used to be reached by stairs chiselled into a live rock, surrounded by walls.

The Kožljak Castle

Only a tower has been preserved. The Renaissance house and the town loggia stand out in the village. Roch was a strong centre of the Glagolitic literature from the 13th century.

The Roch Castle

After the loss of the surrounding castles, hidden shelters located on hardly reachable grounds were given prominence. Despite its important military and civil role, Zanigrad is today abandoned.

The Zanigrad Fortress

Kubed was important for military reasons. Having lost its primary military function, it was not abandoned. Houses and the church were built inside its walls, which preserved them until the 18th c.

The Kubed Castle