Have you ever wanted to visit a medieval town of “living art”, explore one of Europe’s best locations for historical film shoots, try to find the smallest chapel in the world in the surrounding area, or be inspired by the testimony of a Blessed?
If the answer is yes, it is time to head to Istria. All of these gems and much more one can find, and stay inspired, at the new route “Paths of Sacred Heritage of Grožnjan.”
This route is the result of a project of researching and mapping the rich heritage of the Grožnjan area. The initiative came about through collaboration between the Grožnjan Municipality Tourist Board and an experienced team from Zagreb, with support from the Croatian Tourist Board. Inspired by the natural and sacral treasures of this part of Istria, certain points were created to follow the settlements and parish churches, thus forming a route or a trail for walking or cycling. In today’s busy world, a walk through the preserved landscape, surrounded by orchards and olive groves, immersing you in the complete silence and peace of nature – without a sound from modern technology – is exactly what you need.
The “Paths of Sacred Heritage of Grožnjan” is a circular trail marked by eight points, starting and ending at the Parish Church of St. Vitus, Modest, and Crescentia in Grožnjan. The project has begun by valuing the heritage in digital form, and thus it includes a website, a digital brochure, photos, video materials, and information about the destination, all framed with accompanying texts of a spiritual nature that encourage you to immerse yourself in the depth of the environment you pass through, together with the thoughts of your daily life. If the project continues, the next phase will involve placing physical markers in the area, but until then, the route can easily be walked or cycled by following the GPS track recorded on your device’s app. HERE (www.spiritualgroznjan.com) you can discover more about the route.
The spiritual content accompanying the route is integrated into the natural and historical characteristics of the landscape you pass through. Based on what surrounds you and what you encounter, it invites reflection on the deeper needs of human beings. The history, art, sacral heritage, and other human activities that have marked the Grožnjan area and still leave their mark today, strongly inspire deeper thinking about one’s relationship with the realities of human action and nature’s action, as well as human identity. The integrity and needs that keep us whole are often neglected in daily life, so the spiritual content of the route, following the natural course of the path, focuses on this aspect of self-care.
As an additional feature, three suggested tours have been created: two walking tours and one cycling tour. The first walking tour is a half-day tour where you can discover Grožnjan’s small churches, you can walk part of the old narrow-gauge railway, see original frescoes, and visit authentic settlements such as Završje and Šterna. The second tour is a two-day walking tour covering the entire route with the start and end points in Grožnjan. Here, in addition to walking, there is the option to taste local olive oil and visit a local family farm, as well as go through specific locations like the Kornarija Forest and Piski Desert. The third tour is designed for cyclists, with a length of 37 kilometres and medium difficulty. It passes through different terrains and offers unforgettable views, with visits to authentic sites.
The new route “Paths of Sacred Heritage of Grožnjan” has been created along with accompanying content and is ready for you to explore. Learn about the biography of Blessed Francesco Bonifacio, who has been killed at the end of World War II “in odium fidei,” and let his story inspires you. Walk part of the famous Parenzana, the most beautiful cycling trail in all of Istria, with beautiful viewpoints, tunnels, and viaducts. Finally, discover where the hidden gems of the route are, such as waterfall, desert, or original medieval frescoes. The natural and cultural treasures of Grožnjan are waiting for you!
The article is taken from the Heritage Croatia portal
https://heritagecroatia.com/novosti/putevima-sakralne-bastine-groznjana-otkriveni-biseri-sjeverozapadne-istre
Author:
Lana Jukić
