5. Šterna (cemetery) - Church of St. Cancian
5. Šterna (cemetery) - Church of St. Cancian
On the fifth leg of our Grožnjan adventure, we begin at the Church of St. Cancian on the hilltop. We start by following a gravel path along the western side of the ridge, gradually entering a forest trail (which can be described as a hunting trail or goat path). After about 40 minutes, we reach village pastures divided by dry stone walls, passing a hunting stand until we come to the village road and the Glavica area with a few smaller hamlets. The trail heads south from the ridge and descends to the Butori Waterfall and Sinkhole, another unmissable natural attraction in northwestern Istria. The 10-meter-high waterfall flows from the Jugovski stream, plunging into a small lake. The site is also renowned as a gathering place for poetry lovers.
After visiting the Butori, we continue along a short paved section toward the white sign and marker for the village of Bušleti. Here, we cross to the opposite side of the road, entering the start of the protected Kornarija Forest. We follow a well-marked forest gravel trail (especially popular for mountain biking routes) and, after approximately 2 kilometres, arrive at our next destination: the small Church of St. Florian, located in the forest. Unfortunately, there is limited historical information available about this church.
St. Cancian, Martyr (Cemetery) – Parish of Šterna
The church, featuring a bell roof with a single bell on its façade, was renovated in the 17th century and again in 1885. Inside is an altar with Baroque wooden reredos (three statues were stolen), a large crucifix, and 18th-century tombs.