Roč lies below the Ćićarija Mountains in the Mirna Valley. In the Middle Ages, the town developed into a fortified castle with defensive walls, towers, and a Large Gate and Small Gate.
Those who choose Roč as a travel destination may want to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
The historic complex includes the parish church of Saint Bartholomew, a protected cultural heritage site within Roč's historic ensemble. The walls of the nave and the ceiling are decorated with elaborate stucco work dating from 1785. Later layers of paint also concealed previously unknown medieval wall paintings, which were subsequently uncovered.
The Romanesque Church of Saint Roch preserves two layers of frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. The later layer depicts Christ in Glory and the twelve Apostles. The Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century.
In the nearby area, the Aleja glagoljaša begins below Roč. It follows the road towards Hum and forms a memorial complex of eleven Glagolitic monuments, including the “Chakavian Parliament Pillar”, a Glagolitic lapidarium, and the “Hum Gate”.
History
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Roč was a centre of Croatian literacy, publishing, and printing based on the Glagolitic script.
Experiences
The Buon Fresco Workshop combines viewing the medieval frescoes of the Church of Saint Roch with creating a personal fresco in an art studio. Participants take their finished fresco home as a traditional souvenir.
Roč's Little Glagolitic Academy takes place annually and is attended by sixth-graders from all over Croatia. A replica of Gutenberg's Glagolitic printing press can be viewed by prior appointment.
Events
“Z armoniku v Roč” is an annual international gathering of diatonic accordion players in Roč. The programme includes music workshops, lectures, and presentations about Istrian folk instruments.
