Trgovačka (Commercial) street

A walk through the old part of Vodnjan and its main square Narodni trg, leads through Trgovačka (Commercial) Street. The street has about 200 house numbers and is longer than one kilometer which makes it the longest street in Istria. It mostly developed with the growth of Vodnjan in the 17th and 18th centuries, mainly in need of new shops, crafts, warehouse etc. which explains its name Trgovačka (Commercial) Street. Wide at the beginning, it becomes narrower as approaching the main square.

This street once had an array of stores and crafts shops. According to some data, besides tailors, bag makers, blacksmiths, coopers and other craftsmen, Vodnjan had as many as 110 shoemakers in 1926. Even nowadays, Trgovačka Street has maintained the specific atmosphere of a bygone era. In his multiple award-winning documentary film ˝La strada˝, Damir Čačić tried to evoke the atmosphere of the street.

​​​​​​​More than one thousand meters long, the main street of Vodnjan has for centuries been a showcase of Vodnjan’s crafts and shops, a stage for processions and carnivals (the wedding procession used to pass the street at midnight, carrying the bride to the groom’s house; this wedding tradition inspired Antonio Smareglia and is shown in his opera ˝Nozze istriane” (Istrian Wedding).

Municipal square

The Municipal Square, present-day Narodni trg, was formed in 1808 after the castle that stood at this site, had been pulled down. This is when a large square was created, surrounded by palaces that adorn it even nowadays. In 1910 the Municipal Palace was built in the Neo-Gothic – Venetian style.

The square was formed owing to the Vodnjan family Dalla Zonca who donated the money required for its improvement. The stone slabs from the castle were used for paving the surrounding town streets.

​​​​​​​The square abounds in magnificent buildings, one of them being the renovated Town Palace, Bembo House, Bradamante Palace, Davanzo House, Benussi House and the town library. This is also the main meeting point of the townspeople, as well as the venue of many events, concerts and festivals. 

Capuchin monastery

The Capuchin monastery in Vodnjan dates from 1748, its construction and the land on which it had been built were financed by the inhabitants of Vodnajn. By the monastery stood the small Church of St. Joseph.

The monastery was founded following the ideas of the townspeople who were fond of the simplicity of the Capuchin Order. However, the monastery existed for about only 60 years before being abolished by the French administration at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1807 it became a military hospital and maintained this function throughout the Austrian period, until 1894. During this period it also served as quarantine for malaria patients. Subsequently, the monastery assumed other functions such as kindergarten and cinema.

​​​​​​​After World War II, the perimeter wall was pulled down and Vodnjan gained a town park. It is believed that the monastery was founded at the site of the former town gallows.

Barbariga

The name Barbariga derives from the Venetian noble family name Barbarigo that gave two doges, cardinals and ten district governors provveditori. Due to numerous Roman finds on the area of stancija Barbariga, it is known as an archaeologically rich area.

Among the ruins of the still existing ancient houses, this area also yielded remains of a large wool production and fabric dyeing plant, the most important oilery in Istria in the 4th century and two large villae rusticae with polychrome marble mosaics.

In the Middle Ages Cape Barbariga was named Cape Cissana after the legendary town of Cissa, sunken in the 8th century. There are also other archaeological sites, as well as remains of the pre-historic hill-fort Mandriola and the Early Christian three-aisled basilica of St. Andrew with mosaics, sarcophagi, and stone reliefs from the 7th century. 

Tourists and bathers often visit Barbariga bay with its beach and quay. Between Peroj and Barbariga lies the old basilica of St. Foška (9th – 11th centuries), often visited by pilgrims and artists. There is a significant number of seasonal tourists, as well as restaurants and taverns offering a fine selection of fish. This beautiful area offers cultural and religious itineraries, sports activities, hunting and fishing.   

Dragonera

Two long-lost pearls referred to by archaeologists as Dragonera north and Dragonera south were discovered in the course of archaeological excavations between 2003 and 2004. Dragonera north is a somewhat less preserved structure, built at the beginning of the 1st century BC lasting until the 7th century when it was destroyed by a fire.

This villa (villa maritima) with a preserved part of the olive processing plant and a later added closed kiln was ruined by the sea, while limekilns were built above the ruins in the 19th and 20th centuries devastating the ancient ruins even more. 

Much more is known about Dragonera south. Although its owner remains unknown, he bore the title of aedile, duumvir of colony Pula. The early imperial villa maritima of this Roman knight occupied the whole bay consisting of a residential building, quay and production facilities, while its construction dates to 70–90 BC. The villa was adorned with mosaics of exceptional beauty, of which worth mentioning is the one with the unique representation of a rhinoceros.

​​​​​​​After the fire had devastated the early imperial villa in the 4th century, it was completely renovated. This was the site of the only recorded Roman blacksmith with a smelting furnace in the eastern Adriatic from the 5th and 6th centuries. After the great fire in the 7th century, its inhabitants probably found shelter in the fortified settlement Castrum on Veli Brijun island.

When writing about Dragonera in 537 – 538 Roman prefect Cassiodorus referred to the villas as two pearls because of their splendor and beauty. 

Settlement of Betiga

​​​​​​​The settlement of Betiga was named after the original owners of the area, the Bettica family  from Spain that settled in Vodnjan in the Middle Ages having left the Spanish kingdom due to disagreements with its rulers.

Members of one branch of the family found a home in this area and bought houses and estates in Vodnjan and the surrounding area.

The settlement was undoubtedly of great importance, which is suggested by remnants of Roman villas and two important churches dedicated to St. Andrew and St. Agnes.

Early medieval settlement of Guran

Archeological research of the early medieval settlement of Guran started in 2002. The research allowed for the discovery and detailed research of the area that includes the settlement, one Roman villa with the later church, one early medieval basilica, one cemetery church, as well as the whole network of roads that were functional during the Middle Ages.

The old Guran is located about 2.5 km northeast of Vodnjan. Historical documents mention it for the first time in the year of 1150, as one of the seven medieval settlements in the Vodnjan area. Its remnants were discovered at about 60 m southwest of the three-aisled basilica that was completely studied beforehand.

It is assumed that the settlement’s outline was oval. To date, Guran is the first early medieval settlement of this type in Croatia that was systematically researched. Until now, the researchers have discovered around ten buildings, walls, a monumental town gate, a guardhouse, some antique sculptures, some processed sculpture blocks, and some ceramics.

The settlement was founded in the 9th century, and it has changed over its existence. It was “alive” until the abandonment at the end of the middle ages, in the 15th century.
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Each season brings its unique emotions. Trails, itineraries, and routes for cyclists will take you to the unspoiled nature. You can ride more than 120 kilometers of cycle paths, finding the witnesses of ancient civilizations that enriched these places.