Tinjan – Beram – Pazin – Lindar – Gracišce – Pican
This short drive through the heart of Istria takes in several wonderful hill-top villages, with some of the best Istrian frescoes. You’ll also see a castle, impressive valleys and a wealth of old stone houses.
It’s only 26 km and, while you could drive it straight in about half an hour, if you take it slowly to soak up the atmosphere, there is enough to see and do to keep you busy all day. For more information on each of the places, click the links to their official webpages.
- A: Tinjan – a lovely little village with fantastic views over the Draga valley and a 500-year old stone table with a story about fleas….
- B: Beram – home of the wonderful, still vivid 14th century ‘dance-of-death’ frescoes.
- C: Pazin – bustling small town with small but attractive old-quarter with some architectural oddities, centred on its grand 16th century castle (now ethnographic museum) and pretty gorge.
- D: Lindar – tiny place with more frescoes (including one that’s unique in the world).
- E: Gracišce – large (well large by Istrian standards), historic village full of churches, history and abandoned grand buildings. Set on the edge of a gorge, there are magnificent panoramic views from the church at the top.
- F: Pican – small and perfectly formed hill-top village with an impressive gateway.
If you’re feeling energetic, there are two lovely walks on this route:
- Pazin – walk down one side of the gorge and up the other (and then back again), about a 3 km round trip.
- Gracišce – 10 km path of St. Simeon.
Also see:
What I thought of Tinjan
