Cycling Route 631 Barban passes through Rebići and continues to Hrboki. Blaz lies in the vicinity of Rebići; it was once home to large drinking-water springs, and the walls of water-powered mills are still visible there. This brings concrete waypoints together with traces of history around Rebići.
Water and Mills in the Nearby Area
Blaz was home to large drinking-water springs that were historically used by residents of eastern and central Istria. In the 15th century, water-powered mills were built there to grind grain and wheat; their walls are still visible today. The springs and mills represent two different aspects of history: the use of large springs for drinking water and the use of hydropower for milling. The mill walls provide a visible connection to their use in the past, while the springs stand out for their historical importance to residents of eastern and central Istria.
Cycling and Hiking Trails in the Wider Destination of Općina Barban
Cycling Route 631 Barban starts and ends in Barban and is 33 km long. It passes through Rebići and continues to Hrboki. For planning purposes, it is important to distinguish between the two: 33 km is the total length of the Barban–Barban route, not the length of the section through Rebići. Check local route conditions before setting off.
The wider destination of Općina Barban has other trails with different distances. The “Tepla stran–Puntera–Blaz” trail is suitable for hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and mountaineering. Its stated distance is 7.25 km one way and 14.5 km round trip. The distance for the “Putem gljiva” trail is stated differently: it starts and ends in Draguzeti and is 7 km long. The distances therefore cannot simply be compared: for “Tepla stran–Puntera–Blaz,” the one-way and return distances are listed separately, while “Putem gljiva” is described as starting and ending in Draguzeti.
In the wider destination of Općina Barban, the “Putem izvora” circular trail runs from Hrboki via Piska and Puntera and back to Hrboki. Along the trail, signs point, among other places, to the springs of Čažune and the channels of the Raša River. In the wider destination of Općina Barban, the “Putem mlinova” trail runs from Sutivanac through the Raša Valley and back; along the way, there is a turnoff to visit the mills and springs in the valley. Routes and markings may change. Check local conditions before setting out.
Culture and History in Općina Barban
The historic sights in Barban are also part of the cultural character of the wider destination of Općina Barban. Over the course of its history, Barban developed into a fortified settlement with walls, round and square towers, bastions, large and small town gates, and a castle. The Church of St. James the Apostle in Barban contains the only surviving fresco cycle in Istria depicting the legend of St. James. The Church of St. Anthony the Hermit features frescoes from the early 15th century. The parish church of St. Nicholas the Bishop was built in 1701 and fully completed in 1708.
The cultural traditions are also diverse. Trka na prstenac was added to Croatia’s list of intangible cultural heritage on April 4, 2016. KUD Barban preserves local folklore through groups of dancers, traditional singers, and musicians who play traditional instruments. The society also promotes the Čakavian dialect of Barbanština. One culinary tradition of the area around Barban is Barbanski kolač: the cake is round, has a hole in the middle, and was historically associated with weddings.
More Activities in Općina Barban
In the wider destination of Općina Barban, Glavani Park offers activities for all ages, including three elevated courses and a 113-meter-long zip line. Check which activities are currently operating before your trip. In Manjadvorci, the “Barba Tone” ranch organizes guided trekking tours in nature, as well as one- and multi-day horseback riding programs. The offerings also include excursions and swimming with horses, as well as visits to Vicina Cave. As the current activity offerings may change, checking before planning is recommended.
Discover more destinations: Vadreš, Puntera, Bicici, Barban, Hrboki, Juricev Kal, Orihi, Balići Ii.
Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Barban.
