Four protected pine trees, a sinkhole whose floor is difficult to reach because of the terrain and vegetation, historic churches and a cuisine featuring maneštra, homemade pasta and autumn truffles reveal different sides of the Municipality of Karojba. The landscape, architectural history and regional dishes each offer their own focus for discovering the destination.
Natural landmarks and springs
The botanical natural monument “Ćetiri Pinije u Karojbi” has been protected since 1966. The four pine trees are located on the road between Karojba and Pazin. The oldest tree has a trunk circumference of 3.30 metres and is 14.5 metres tall. These measurements refer to the oldest tree, not to the group as a whole.
Dolac Sopajac lies between Karojba and Vižinada, near Škropeti. It is considered the largest and deepest sinkhole in Istria. Reaching its floor is difficult because of the terrain and vegetation—a key distinction between the sinkhole’s impressive description and the conditions for descending into it.
Valigaštar is a drinking-water spring near the hamlet of Močibobi. Its water was used as early as Byzantine and Roman times. In antiquity, a Roman military camp was probably located near the spring; Roman roads crossed nearby. The wooded hills around Valigaštar and Vrućak are also part of the historic landscape: they contain historic archaeological sites and have been inhabited since prehistoric times.
Churches and historic traces
The single-nave Parish Church of All Saints in Karojba was built in 1580, expanded in 1840 and 1913, and restored in 1986. St Andrew’s Church dates from the 13th century, contains remains from the 8th century and stands on the site of a former Roman necropolis. Thus, different periods come together in Karojba: a 16th-century building, older architectural remains and a Roman burial ground.
The hamlet of Konobari is home to the 12th-century Church of St Mary Magdalene, which has a bell dating from 1607. In Rakotule, the Romanesque Chapel of St Nicholas preserves frescoes of Christ in Majesty (Maiestas Domini) as well as scenes from the legends of St Nicholas. The buildings’ history and their subjects offer different ways to explore the destination’s religious past.
Routes with historic connections
The marked Trail of the Istrian Border Dispute is near Karojba and starts at the Lourdes Grotto, built in 1898. Information panels explain the border dispute in four languages. On the Parenzana, the site of the former railway station is just before Karojba; from there, it takes less than five minutes on foot to reach the viaduct over the Krvar stream. The two route experiences have different focuses: here, panels introduce a historical topic; there, a short walk leads to a viaduct.
Regional cuisine and finding accommodation
Regional cuisine in Karojba includes maneštra, homemade pasta such as fuži, njoki, pasutice and ravioli, as well as wild asparagus. Truffles are an autumn speciality. If you are looking for hotels in the Municipality of Karojba, it is best to first decide what you would like to focus on: architectural history and frescoes, natural landmarks and springs, or regional cuisine.
Explore places: Karojba, Rakotule, Škropeti, Novaki Motovunski.
Discover more destinations: Municipality of Sveta Nedelja, Municipality of Rovinj, Municipality of Labin, Municipality of Vodnjan.
Return to the main travel overview: Istria County.
