Šajini brings together religious history and remembrance of the victims of the 1944 fascist attack. The Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, a permanent memorial space and the Spomen park “9 January”, opened in 2026, give a stay a clear thematic focus. By including these places, visitors encounter both the church’s long history and the village’s commemorative heritage. Two details are particularly useful when planning: visits to the memorial space are by arrangement, and the Majnica takes place on a set Sunday in May.
Commemoration at Spomen park “9 January”
Spomen park “9 January” opened on 31 May 2026. It is dedicated to the more than 50 civilians killed in the fascist attack of 9 January 1944. In this attack, 54 residents of Šajini lost their lives; the village was also looted and burned down. The date in the park’s name thus refers directly to the day of the attack.
At the centre of the park stands a monument to the victims. It bears the inscription “Nepresušan izvor nade za budućnost” — meaning “An inexhaustible source of hope for the future” — and incorporates water into its design. Each year, descendants and local officials lay flowers and wreaths at the monument. The park thus connects the memory of a specific event with ongoing public commemoration.
Church of Saint Peter the Apostle and the Majnica
The Church of Saint Peter the Apostle is traditionally dated to 1400. It was consecrated in 1688, extended with a side chapel in 1890 and fully renovated in 2002. It was the church of the former pastoral centre of St Peter, which existed from 1750 to 1988. These dates refer to different chapters: the traditional dating should not be confused with the later consecration or the more recent structural changes. A Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated in Šajini on the occasion of the church’s restoration.
The Majnica is also associated with the church. On the last Sunday in May, a wooden statue of the Mother of God is carried in procession around Šajini. Unlike the church’s construction dates, this is a recurring date in the annual calendar and a distinct form of religious practice.
Planning a visit to the memorial space
The permanent memorial space in Šajini is one of only two memorial exhibition or museum sites in southern Istria. Visits can be arranged with the Šajini Local Committee. As this visiting arrangement dates from 2021, check the current schedule with the committee before travelling.
Šajini on the memorial route
Šajini is part of the Route of Massacres of Civilians. This thematic route also includes sites in Pula and Gajana, as well as the village of Bokordići. The route offers a perspective on remembrance that extends beyond a single locality, while the church, memorial space and Spomen park address different aspects of Šajini’s history.
The monuments and stops along the route are located on paved public roads; the route is well connected by local and regional buses. Check the current timetable before travelling to the stops you wish to include.
Discover more destinations: Hrboki, Kožljani, Rebići, Orihi, Puntera, Petehi, Manjadvorci, Grandići
For the broader travel overview: Općina Barban.
