Frančići: Bepo Markoc and Cultural Traces

Frančići is closely connected with the life of musician Josip Miletić, known as Bepo Markoc, who played the large sopela. He was born in Frančići, above the Raša Valley, on 25 December 1909 and died there on 6 November 1986. The abandoned Church of St John and Paul, considered a monument, is also located near Frančići. Check its condition before visiting.

Art and Built Heritage in the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja

The Dubrova Sculpture Park, an open-air museum of contemporary sculpture, is near Frančići. The walkable White Road runs through 16 sections, each 25 metres long, created by Croatian artists such as Edo Murtić, Julije Knifer and Dušan Džamonja. The International Sculpture Symposium also shapes the park: since 1970, the collection has grown year by year with sculptures made from Istrian stone. The symposium takes place every year in August and September, when several guest artists create works in stone. Check the latest event dates before travelling.

Other cultural sites are located in the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja. Kaštel Šumber is a protected cultural property of national importance. It was built in the hamlet of Stari Grad in Šumber, on the site of a prehistoric fortification. The Stancija Franković–Lazzarini estate complex near Štrmac was established in 1654 on land belonging to the Franković-Vlačić noble family from Labin. The residential and agricultural complex features fortification elements. Most of its buildings are abandoned, and the east wing is partly in ruins; its Baroque atmosphere and the basic characteristics of this type of estate have been preserved.

The archaeological site of Kočur (Cozur) includes the ruins of a single-nave Chapel of the Holy Cross. The site lies west of the present-day settlement of Čamparovica, on the plateau above the Raša Valley. The Šćavet, a lectionary containing church hymns from the early 18th century, is also preserved in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dren. The song “V see vrime godisccha” was recorded in it.

Hiking Trails, Freshwater Habitats and Cycling Routes

The Šumberske Dine hiking trail is 7.3 kilometres long and connects natural features, local family-run agricultural businesses and largely unspoilt nature. It passes through marl dunes and an area with rare geological features. Along the trail, a cemetery is home to the 16th-century Church of St Quirinus. Its stated length can be compared with the ten-kilometre Staza kalića i bukaleta: this route connects vineyards with several ponds, which are important freshwater habitats for plant and animal life. Traditional Istrian cuisine is also among the trail’s themes.

Cycling trails add to the range of activities in the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja. The Trail of Ponds and Nobility (441) starts in the centre of Nedešćina and heads towards the hamlets of Jurazini and Eržišće, where there are several ponds. Kalić Dužica, the Čiper pond, the Marguda pond and the Rupica spring are rare surviving freshwater habitats along the route. The Trail of Miners and Stone Sculptures (442) also starts in Nedešćina and leads to the centre of Vinež, where the miners’ strike began. The Trail of Saint Martin / Baron’s Trail (443) is a circular route that passes through Sveti Martin, Ružići, Županići, Stepančići, Santalezi, Cere, Markoci, Golji, Snašići, Turini and Paradiž before returning to Sveti Martin.

Regional Cuisine and Landscape

The Municipality of Sveta Nedelja brings together natural and cultural heritage with gastronomic and wine-related experiences. At Pineta agritourism, visitors can taste products from the Radićanin family farm, including acacia and flower honey, as well as homemade juices and jams. Giovanna Allegra agritourism in Gorenji Kraj in Šumber serves traditional dishes from the Labin area; the recipes are connected with Italian cuisine. As visitor offers may change, it is advisable to check what is currently available in advance.

As a regional setting, the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja lies on a plateau 250 to 300 metres above sea level, stretching from the Raša River to the sea in the hinterland of Labin. The Raša runs along the municipality’s western border. Near Rabac, the sea is about ten kilometres away; the area is considered a link between green and blue Istria. This landscape perspective is part of the municipality and complements its specific cultural and route destinations.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Frančići, you can first consider whether the history of the place or the hiking, cycling and cultural experiences of the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja will shape your holiday more. The route lengths offer a concrete basis for comparison, while the sculpture park and historic sites put other discoveries in the spotlight.

Discover more destinations: Kraj Drage, Martinski, Santalezi, Rakitje, Kerestinec, Ružići, Sveta Nedelja, Novaki.

For the broader travel overview: Municipality of Sveta Nedelja.