Grožnjan
Grožnjan, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Croatia | Adria24.co.uk
Grožnjan is a jewel in the heart of Istria, a 14th century medieval Venetian fortress, sitting a top of the hill, towering over the Mirna river valley below. It is located in the central part of Istria, situated on a plateau south of Buje and north of Poreč Grožnjan offers a breathtaking view over the river valley as well as the Adriatic Sea. Grožnjan was an independant municipality until 1955 when it became part of the community of Buje. In 1993, once again it claimed its independance.
History
Grožnjan was a hidden treasure, virtually unknown to the world until 1965, when Istrian artists and musicians formed an artist colony there. Painters and sculptors resurrected the crumbling stone structures, and shortly thereafter the International Cultural Centre of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia established a summer training program for musicians. Renowned European musicians started teaching music classes, which attracted musicians from around the world to study music. On the heels of the musicians were painters and potters, setting up shops and galleries on the cobblestone streets, and Grožnjan's renaissance was born.
Things to do
If you plan your trip just right and visit Grožnjan in the summer, you can enjoy the free, open-air concerts offered each night from July to September. There are jazz festivals, classical music performances, and plenty of good food for the offering. Spend the balmy summer nights taking in all the music, and visiting the pubs and restaurants. There are some very nice wines to sample as well, since there are wine vineyards just a stones throw away.
Make sure to visit a Baroque Parish church while you're there. On the main square, Crkva Svete Marije boasts marble altars, baroque choir stalls and a 17th century painting. At the foot of the hill in Bastia is another Baroque church, Our Lady of Grace. If modern art is more your thing, check out the Chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian, painted by a well known painter from Crotia - Ivan Lovrencic.
How to reach us
Grožnjan is difficult to reach by public transportation, but there are buses that run from Buzet to Buje pass Bijele Zemlje, and it's just a short but scenic 3 km walk from there.
