The best traffic-free bike rides around Općina Gračišće

There are always some small shops in the center.

Pizzeria Grimani next to the church two long-established businesses and with a connection all the way to the top

beautiful istrian wine road with amazing views and road feel... reminds me of Tuscany

The Church of St. Michael in Žminj was built in the 16th century and has been one of the most important religious buildings in the area ever since. It boasts exquisite craftsmanship, with colored stones sourced from a mine in nearby Gradišće.

The Morosini-Grimani Castle is the symbol of Svetvinčenat (Sanvincenti) and one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Istria. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when the De Castro Pola family built their first fortified residence there. Passed to the Morosini family in the 15th century, it was transformed into a true fortress and, after a devastating fire in 1586, rebuilt in Renaissance style by the Grimani family with the help of Venetian architects. The quadrangular structure with three towers and an elegant noble palace combined defensive, administrative, and economic functions: grain storage, armory, and the captain's residence. Topped by the Grimani coat of arms, which later became the emblem of the city, the castle endured centuries of wars, fires, and dominations, until it was once again destroyed in the Second World War. Today, after careful restoration, the castle has come back to life: it hosts exhibitions, events, and multimedia tours that allow visitors to discover the history of Svetvinčenat and one of the most fascinating Istrian fortresses.

A village that for centuries has been a crossroads of cultures, trade, and power. Today it appears as a quiet village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, but its stones tell a thousand-year history. Traces of prehistoric and Roman settlements testify to the strategic importance of the place. The first official mention of Žminj dates back to 1177, when Pope Alexander III confirmed the existence of the parish of St. Michael, linking it to the diocese of Poreč. By the 13th century, the village was already fortified, and in 1368 it became part of the County of Pazin, under Austrian influence, becoming one of the most important strongholds in the Istrian hinterland. Its central location made Žminj a point of contact—and often of conflict—between the Republic of Venice and the Habsburg Empire. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the village experienced sieges, wars, and destruction, but also phases of reconstruction that shaped its urban layout. Of the ancient defenses, a circular tower, sections of walls, and the medieval layout that surrounded the town remain today. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, rebuilt in 1625, still dominates the historic center and preserves an artistic heritage that combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Around the village are numerous country churches with medieval frescoes, such as the Holy Trinity, the Holy Cross, and the Church of St. Anthony the Abbot, true treasure troves of Istrian sacred art. After centuries of various rulers—from the bishops of Poreč to the feudal lords of Pazin, from the Habsburgs to the Republic of Venice, up to the Italian and Yugoslav periods—Žminj has retained its identity as an authentic Istrian village. Today, it is a center that celebrates its roots with events such as Bartulja, the great late-August festival dedicated to St. Bartholomew, which attracts visitors from all over the peninsula. Strolling through Žminj means experiencing a history spanning the Middle Ages, border wars, and popular devotion. Every stone, from the walls to the frescoed churches, speaks of the crucial role this village has played in shaping Istria. A place where time seems to have stood still, and where tradition coexists with the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Nice place to get a coffee

At the top of the hill on which Zminj is built is the parish church of Archangel Michael. Once surrounded by the mighty walls of the Zminj castle, the church and the 34 m high church tower from the 18th century now dominate the townscape of Zminj. The Carniolan frescoes in the Holy Trinity Chapel are worth seeing, as is the landmark of Zminj, the hackberry tree, which is located directly in front of the church on the church square. Source: https://www.kroati.de/kroatien-istrien/zminj.html