Municipality of Kršan – Nature, Coast and History
Accommodation in Municipality of Kršan
Nature, coastal landscapes and historic places come together in the Municipality of Kršan. The hilly part of the municipality is home to Učka Nature Park. Its habitats support numerous endemic, endangered and protected plant and animal species. At the same time, the coast shapes another part of the holiday experience: Kršan has almost 13 kilometres of unspoilt coastline, which is steep and rocky. Wild beaches lie in coastal inlets. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether Učka’s natural environment, the coastal landscape or the historic places will be the main focus of your trip.
Nature and local discoveries
A special botanical highlight is the “Istarski zvončić”: this endemic plant briefly adorns the house façades, church, walls and baladure of Plomin in late May and early June. This fleeting sight offers a distinct seasonal highlight for anyone interested in plant life. The Festival samoniklog bilja also focuses on wild plants. It takes place every year in Kršan; its workshops cover making natural cosmetics, tea, tinctures, oils and fragrances, as well as preparing dishes from wild plants.
In Šušnjevica, the “Vlaški puti” Ecomuseum brings together an interpretation centre and a media library with themed walking trails through Učka Nature Park. The trails are connected with the lives and activities of the local community. When planning your trip, you can choose between exploring the landscape and its biodiversity or gaining insight into local life, without having to reduce both interests to the same activity.
Historic places and their distinctive features
Stari grad Kršan is a fortified town and one of the best-preserved Istrian castles. It was first mentioned in the 13th century. Visitors enter the old town through well-preserved gates. Within the defensive walls stands the Church of St Anthony the Abbot, dating from the 17th century. This gives Kršan its own historical focus, distinct from the nature park landscape and the coast.
Kožljak Castle lies on the southern slopes of Učka, along an ancient route connecting Roman-era Histria and Liburnia. It was first mentioned in writing in 1102. The approach follows steps carved into the natural rock. Below the castle stands the Romanesque Church of St Hadrian. If you would like to explore historic places, these details are a good reason to include the castle and its setting in your plans.
Plomin lies below Sisol at the entrance to inland Istria. The town was built on the foundations of the ancient Histrian and Roman town of Flanona. The Church of Sv. Jurja Starog houses the oldest known Glagolitic inscription, the Plomin Inscription. Exploring the town can also take different forms: Plominsko otkriće is a puzzle activity through the historic lanes and to centuries-old buildings within the former town walls. Virtualna avantura grofice Tonetti offers a virtual tour of Plomin’s past in four languages.
Customs, music and regional cuisine
Cultural highlights include Kršonski pir, a folk performance of the wedding custom characteristic of Kršan and its surroundings. It is associated with nine scenes. Dani istarskog zvončića features discussions, exhibitions, singing and music. The Festival samoniklog bilja also explores its theme through food: exhibitors showcase plant-based products, while chefs prepare and present dishes made from wild plants. Families travelling together can therefore take different interests into account—from nature and history to music, tradition and food.
When choosing a holiday apartment in the Municipality of Kršan, it helps to decide in advance which aspects of the municipality you would most like to experience. Nature and plants, the coast, historic places and local culture offer different starting points for planning your trip. For further guidance, find the municipality’s settlements here: Krsan, Plomin, Vozilici, Kozljak, Lazarici, Blaškovići, Šušnjevica, Plomin Luka, Potpićan, Kostrčani, Veljaki, Purgarija Čepić, Zagorje and Zatka Čepić.
For the broader travel overview: Istria County.
