Flora & Fauna in Istria

The luscious Motovun Forest tickles the imagination not only because of its soil in which the peculiar association of truffles and the roots of proud oaks takes place. The forest is also linked to tales of Veli Jože, an Istrian giant that legend says lived near Motovun. The legend inspired the Croatian writer Vladimir Nazor to write a story entitled Veli Jože. In one of the story’s episodes, the giants use the forest’s oak trees as brooms to sweep away the enemy in a battle against knights and their army. Throughout history, many special ...

When passing through Brtonigla don't miss the opportunity to visit Mramornica cave, considered by many speleologists to be one of Istria's largest and loveliest subterranean structures. Mramornica Cave was first mentioned in the writings of travel writer Albert Fortis in 1770. Today, it is open to both the young and the old seeking for adventure. From the very entrance of the cave, a steep stairway leads down to a large chamber filled with dripstone formations of different colours and huge stalagmites some 13 metres tall and up to ...