Municipality of Barban: Trails, History and Traditions

Churches, fortress history and living traditions

The Church of St James the Apostle in Barban contains the only surviving fresco cycle in Istria depicting the legend of St James. The frescoes in the Church of St Anthony the Hermit offer a different historical perspective: they date from the early 15th century. The parish church of St Nicholas the Bishop was built in 1701 and fully completed in 1708. In Puntera stands the Church of the Holy Trinity, also known as Sveta Nedelja. It was built as the church of a Benedictine abbey; it is mentioned in a record from 740 and was restored in the 15th and 18th centuries.

The history of fortified Barban can also be read in its range of architectural features: the settlement had walls, round and square towers, bastions, large and small town gates, and a castle. On 4 April 2016, Trka na prstenac was added to Croatia’s Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The old folk game Capita Corno was once reserved exclusively for the inhabitants of Barban, but today it is more open to others. KUD Barban preserves local folklore through dancers, traditional singers and musicians who play traditional instruments; it also passes on the Čakavian dialect of Barbanština.

Routes with varied distances and terrain

Route 631 Barban is a clearly defined option for a cycling trip: it starts and ends in Barban and is 33 km long. The “Tepla stran–Puntera–Blaz” trail is designated for hiking, trekking, horse riding and mountain hiking. It is 7.25 km one way and 14.5 km there and back.

Other routes pass through a variety of places and landscapes. The “Putem izvora” circular trail starts in Hrboki, passes through Piska and Puntera, and returns to Hrboki. Along the way, signs point to places including the springs of Čažune and the canals of the Raša River. “Putem mlinova” runs from Sutivanac through the Raša Valley and back; along the route there is a turnoff to visit mills and springs in the valley. Those looking for a set distance can choose the seven-kilometre “Putem gljiva” trail, which starts and ends in Draguzeti. “Putem Sv. Martina” starts and ends in Bičići and passes through Glavani. “Putem šparuga” starts and ends in Prnjani. The “Izgubljena kruna kralja Tomislava” trail links historic Puntera with the Blaz spring. The “Putem špilja” hiking and cycling trail starts near Jure Filipović Primary School in Barban.

Activities and local specialities

Glavani Park offers activities for all age groups, including three elevated courses and a 113-metre-long zip line. Guided trekking tours in nature, as well as horse-riding programmes lasting one or several days, are organised at the “Barba Tone” ranch in Manjadvorci. The programme also includes excursions and swimming with horses, as well as visits to Vicina Cave. Alongside the hiking and cycling routes described above, there are also activities on horseback to choose from.

The wine museum “100% made in Grandići by Johan and Matija” offers a unique insight into the region’s food and drink history. It is housed in a stone house in the small village of Grandići, which has remained unchanged for more than 300 years. Old tools and objects show how people in Barbanština used to make wine, distil rakija and prepare wine vinegar. The Barbanski kolač is another part of this local history: the traditional cake of the area around Barban is round, has a hole in the middle, and was historically associated with weddings.

When choosing a holiday apartment or house, the interests of the travel group can help decide: Barban’s cultural history, routes of different lengths, horseback activities and local traditions all offer different reasons to explore the area.

You can visit the places in the Municipality of Barban individually: Barban, Bicici, Manjadvorci, Melnica, Šajini, Hrboki, Puntera, Orihi, Juricev Kal, Rebići, Kožljani, Balići Ii, Vadreš, Prhati, Petehi, Želiski and Grandići.

For the broader travel overview: Istria County.