Motovun, Istria

In April 2019, we were in Istria. Motovun was on the tour map.
The small town, which dates back to ancient times, is located on a hill at only 277m above sea level, dominating the valley through which the Mirna River flows.
It is located in the very center of Istria, a peninsula in the north of the Adriatic Sea.

A steep approach with stone steps leads through two gates to the medieval town, which is still surrounded by walls.

According to tradition and legends, giants lived at the foot of Motovun in the past, and one was presented in his work by Vladimir Nadzor, a famous Croatian poet. The brave and good giant Veli Joze is a national symbol of power and strength. How important it is in the history of Motovun is shown by the fact that it has its own street.

When you enter the upper, medieval town through the gate, you emerge on Andrea Antico Square, where the late Renaissance parish church of St. Stjepan with the tower (bell tower) which represents the symbol of the city, the Kaštel hotel (Renaissance palace of the Polesini noble family), as well as the municipal building and cinema.

On the other side of the walls, there is a phenomenal terrace where we found a display of straw figures.

I took the opportunity to confront the dragon and take a picture with the donkey.

The view of the surrounding area from the walls is phenomenal. This is one of the largest plateaus in Motovun, where you can take pictures, sit and admire the view of the surrounding hills and vineyards (where the famous Istrian Malvasia comes from, my favorite white wine).

If you're an adventurer, in Motovun, apart from walking and enjoying the view of the Istrian glades and hills, you can go paragliding, canoeing on the Mirna river, you can go in search of truffles in the surrounding forests (or use that search as an excuse in the forest at the foot of the city looking for the giant Joza).

And from the walls we also noticed some demonstration with jeeps. It wasn't good to see, so I used binoculars. Yes, it's a jeep rally. that day the 24th Motovun offroad race was held.

We didn't have time to go down to the track, so I followed a few competitors with my binoculars.

A film festival has been held in Motovun since 1999, which greatly influenced the promotion of this beautiful town.

A beautiful town for a day trip, lunch in one of the taverns on the city walls and enjoying the view.

Maybe our friend @Borjan has some photos when it's sunny and clear, I believe the view is even more beautiful then?
[//]:# (!pinmapple 45.33626 lat 13.82919 long Motovun, home of the giant Veli Joze d3scr)