This hilltop medieval town in Istria has narrow cobblestone streets and Renaissance palaces. Its mining museum tells the story of local coal mining from 1921-1988.
Perched 320 meters above the Adriatic Sea in eastern Istria, Labin invites you to explore its medieval stone streets and Renaissance buildings painted in Mediterranean yellows and oranges. You can descend into former mining tunnels, visit artists working in their medieval house studios, or walk among 70 stone sculptures in the nearby Dubrova park. From the town's highest point, you'll see the beach town of Rabac and the island of Cres across the blue waters.
Exploring the Old Town
Enter through the 16th-century Saint Florian's Gate, marked by the town's coat of arms. The main square, Titov Trg, centers around a 16th-century loggia. As you walk the narrow stone streets, you'll notice ornate window frames and decorated doorways on buildings painted in warm Mediterranean colors.
Mining Museum
Inside the Baroque Battiala-Lazzarini Palace, the Town Museum includes a reconstructed coal mine in its basement. Put on a mining helmet and walk through the tunnels to see original drills, carts, and ventilation systems while learning about mining operations. The museum tells the story of the 1921 miners' rebellion, when workers took control of the mines and established a short-lived republic - one of Croatia's first anti-fascist uprisings.
Art Spaces and Sculpture Park
You'll find 30 artists working in converted medieval buildings throughout the Old Town, with their galleries open to visitors. Three kilometers north lies Dubrova Sculpture Park, where more than 70 stone sculptures stand integrated into several hectares of grounds. Since 1970, the Mediterranean Sculpture Symposium has invited new artists each year to create works for the park.
Getting to Labin
Take a 55-minute shuttle bus from Pula Airport (40 kilometers away) to reach Labin. Daily buses connect Pula city with Labin. To visit the nearest beaches in Rabac (5 kilometers away), catch a regular local bus or walk Sentona's Path, which winds down the hillside with sea views.
Local Food and Culture
Try labinski krafi, a local pasta filled with cheese, vanilla, lemon zest, and rum-soaked raisins. In July and August, the Labin Art Republic brings concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions to the streets. Small cafes and restaurants line the main square and the streets leading to Fortica, where a climb rewards you with views of the coast and Cres Island.
