The journey continues at the 6th stop along the trail, starting from St. Florian’s Chapel in the Kornarija Forest. This stop is yet another testament to the importance of our connection with Mother Nature, providing psychological, physical, and spiritual rejuvenation. The route passes through winding paths and forest trails, past a small forest house, magnificent black pines, downy oaks, and white and black hornbeams. Exiting the forest, the trail skirts the Kave, Franci, and Ljubići villages, leading through walking and forest paths. After approximately 5 km, we reach the town of Peroj, marking the border between the municipalities of Grožnjan and Krasica. Our next point of interest lies between the villages of Danijeliši and Radanići, where, in 1946, Don Francesco Bonifacio was ambushed and abducted. A memorial with a plaque and a cross featuring inscriptions in both Croatian and Italian was erected here in 2013/2014.

Kornarija Forest

The most renowned forest of northwestern Istria, Kornarija Forest, spans an area of 160 hectares near the village of Marušići, close to Momjan. Particularly beloved by cyclists, several attractive biking trails wind through this forest. Like other famous forests in Istria, Kornarija was highly valued during Venetian rule for its high-quality oak wood used for the Venetian Arsenal. After failed attempts to reforest with deciduous trees, black pine was planted in the mid-19th century as a pioneer species, introduced by the renowned 19th-century forester Josip Koller. Today, the forest is home to communities of downy oak, white hornbeam, downy oak and black hornbeam. Sessile oak, sweet chestnut, and scots pine are also present, with black pines towering up to 30 meters. After 150 years, the black pine plantations have yielded successful results, paving the way for the return of indigenous vegetation and tree species.

Like the entire municipality of Grožnjan, Kornarija is an attractive haven for hikers and cyclists, crisscrossed with numerous trails and paths both groups share. The Buje Forestry Office currently manages the forest. It embodies everyone’s overarching motto: reconnecting humanity with nature!