Kraj Drage is an interesting starting point for anyone looking to combine a cycling route with historical and scenic discoveries. The Liburnia Cycling Route 403 passes through the village. Nearby destinations and routes in the wider Municipality of Sveta Nedelja add to the range of topics to consider when planning your trip.
Liburnia Cycling Route 403 through Kraj Drage
The official Liburnia Cycling Route 403 is 71 kilometres long and follows a circular route from Raša via Čepić, Kršan and Martinski, returning to Raša. Through Kraj Drage, the route continues via Zulijani, Županići and Martinski to Snašići. The total distance describes the circular route; the named villages provide additional guidance on its course. This makes the route a destination in its own right, without requiring you to cover a particular distance in a day.
Castles and historic sites nearby
Nearby Kršan is a fortified settlement in the upper part of the Čepić Field. Its ruins can be explored on foot. Kožljak Castle is also a striking historical destination: steps carved into the natural rock lead up to it. Its surviving features include walls, two semicircular towers and the prison; below the castle stands the Romanesque Church of Saint Hadrian. Kožljak lies on an old road that connected ancient Histria with Liburnia.
Nearby Kaštel Šumber is a polygonal fortification surrounded by walls and protected by two rounded half-towers. Each site has its own architectural character: at Kožljak, the rock steps and the church below the castle are also part of the scene, while Kaštel Šumber is defined by its polygonal shape and towers.
Nature, art and regional discoveries
The Liburna Nature Reserve protects native livestock breeds and is home to sociable donkeys. It also houses an ethnographic collection of old tools. From Kraj Drage, the Liburnia Cycling Route continues via Barbići and a fire road to the nature reserve. Another landscape feature nearby is the entrance to the tunnel that drained the former Lake Čepić and turned it into fertile farmland; the tunnel entrance can be visited.
Dubrova Sculpture Park is a 33-hectare open-air gallery. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and admission is free; check the details locally before your visit. The Dolac Amphitheatre hosts art performances, concerts, theatre and other events. The programme may change, so check the dates if you are planning your visit around an event. The park is also home to Bijela cesta, a walking path with 16 sections, each 25 metres long.
The wider Municipality of Sveta Nedelja
The Municipality of Sveta Nedelja provides additional context for exploring the region. The municipality lies on a plateau 250 to 300 metres above sea level in the hinterland of Labin, stretching from the Raša River towards the sea. Rabac is about ten kilometres away. These details refer to the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja, not to Kraj Drage alone.
The municipality’s routes can also be distinguished by length and theme. Hiking trail 861 is ten kilometres long and connects vineyards, freshwater ponds and traditional Istrian cuisine. The Šumberske Dine walking trail is 7.3 kilometres long and passes through an area of marl dunes; it links natural phenomena, local family businesses and unspoilt nature. The two routes therefore offer different distances and a range of distinct features. Trail conditions may change; check them locally before setting out.
The Giovanna Allegra family farm welcomes visitors to enjoy traditional Istrian dishes. Confirm arrangements before you arrive. The churches in Šumber also tell the story of the municipality’s architectural history. The parish church of Saints John and Paul stands at the edge of the village, above the Raša Gorge. It was built in 1679, and two side chapels were added in 1705. The Gothic Chapel of Saint Quirinus in the cemetery was remodelled in the Baroque style in the 18th century and is in good condition. The Church of Our Lady of Dren, near the cemetery, underwent extensive restoration in the 18th and 19th centuries and is associated with the local Petangošt festival.
At Dubrova Sculpture Park, the International Sculpture Symposium has added to the collection of sculptures made from Istrian stone year after year since 1970; the event programme may vary. When looking for a holiday apartment in Kraj Drage, you can consider whether Cycling Route 403 is your main focus or whether you would also like to explore nearby cultural attractions and routes in the wider Municipality of Sveta Nedelja.
Discover more destinations: Veli Turini, FranÄići, Novaki, Veli Golji, Sveta Nedelja, Ružići, Rakitje, Kerestinec
Go to the wider travel overview: Municipality of Sveta Nedelja.
