Grožnjan

Grožnjan is a medieval hill town in northern Istria with about 140 residents in the town itself (2021 census). The whole historic core is listed as an urban ensemble in the Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia. Its buildings include the Church of Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, the town gate, the castle and a granary with a loggia. Artists run studios and galleries along the lanes, and many can be visited directly.

The town is especially lively during its events: the “Jazz is Back!” festival has been held since 1999 and goes back to the jazz musician Boško Petrović, and the international painters’ gathering “Ex Tempore” takes place here too. Allow one to two hours. Leave your car in the car park below the gate and walk up; from the terraces along the wall the view stretches over the surrounding hills with vineyards and olive groves.