This small Istrian town holds Europe's largest collection of mummified saints and well-preserved 15th-century frescoes in St. Blaise Church, surrounded by stone houses.
In Vodnjan, 10 kilometers north of Pula, you can walk medieval stone streets past colorful modern murals, examine mummified saints in glass cases at the Church of St. Blaise, and taste award-winning olive oils from local producers. The surrounding countryside contains hundreds of traditional stone field shelters called kažuni, while the town's walls display over 40 large contemporary art pieces.
Walking Through Medieval Streets
The center of Vodnjan maintains its 14th-century layout with cobblestone streets winding between old stone houses. People's Square (Narodni trg) sits on the site of a former castle, with the neo-Gothic Town Hall and the red-painted Bradamante Palace facing onto it. From here, you can explore the town's network of lanes, including what locals claim to be the longest and narrowest streets in Istria.
Religious Art and Mummies
The 62-meter bell tower of St. Blaise Church rises above the town as Istria's tallest. Inside, you'll find over 700 religious artworks dating from the 5th to 19th centuries. The church's most unusual items are the mummified remains of several saints, still wearing their burial clothes and displayed in glass cases. These relics bring thousands of visitors each year, including religious pilgrims.
Modern Art Meets Ancient Walls
Since the 2013 Boombarstick Street Art Festival, nearly 40 large-scale murals have appeared on building facades throughout Vodnjan. You can see these contemporary works while walking the medieval streets. The Apoteka art space, in a former pharmacy building, hosts regular exhibitions and supports art research projects.
World-Class Olive Oil Production
Olive groves surround Vodnjan, continuing a tradition from Roman times. The area's northern latitude creates conditions for later-ripening olives with distinct flavors. Local producers like Chiavalon and Brist have won international awards, and you can visit their facilities for tastings. In November, the town celebrates the Festival of Fresh Olive Oils.
Traditional Stone Huts
The Vodnjan area contains the Mediterranean's largest collection of kažuni - round stone field shelters built without mortar. Farmers once used these structures for storage and shelter, building them using a dry-stone technique now recognized by UNESCO. At Kažun Park on the town's edge, you can learn about these buildings and start cycling routes through the olive groves.
Local Culture and Food
Many Vodnjan residents speak Italian, and some older locals still use the Istriot dialect, calling themselves "Bumbari" (bumblebees). In the town's restaurants, you'll find Istrian specialties like homemade pasta and prosciutto. Local winemakers produce Vin de Rose, a sweet dessert wine made from late-harvested Muscat grapes.
