Kožljak Castle and a restored chapel with a Glagolitic inscription give Kozljak a clear historical focus. Those choosing to stay in Kozljak will also find a starting point here for excursions and further discoveries in the wider destination of Općina Kršan.
Kožljak Castle: medieval remains and old names
Kožljak Castle is a medieval fortified complex. Its visible remains include ruins and exposed rock on a plateau. In the wider destination of Općina Kršan, the castle stands on the southern slopes of Učka and along an old route connecting ancient Histria and Liburnia. Steps cut into the bedrock lead up to the castle.
The castle was first mentioned in written sources in 1102. In the early 12th century, it was known by the name Iosilach or Gosilach. It is also associated with the medieval name Kožlak and the later German name Wachsenstein. The different names bring the site’s long history to life, without requiring the visible ruins alone to account for all its former structures.
The Chapel of St. George in the cemetery
Another historic site is the Chapel of St. George in the Kozljak cemetery. It dates from 1590 and contains a tombstone with a Glagolitic inscription. The chapel has been fully restored. For visitors, it offers a different perspective on the site’s history than the medieval castle: here, an exact construction date and a written record are part of the heritage.
More landscapes and places in Općina Kršan
Looking beyond Kozljak to the wider destination of Općina Kršan, visitors will also find landscapes with a different character. The hilly part of the municipality is home to Učka Nature Park. Its habitats include numerous endemic, endangered and protected plant and animal species. Općina Kršan also has almost 13 kilometres of preserved coastline. It is steep and rocky, with wild beaches tucked into coastal inlets.
Stari grad Kršan also offers its own historical focus within Općina Kršan. This fortified town is one of the best-preserved castles in Istria and was first mentioned in the 13th century. Visitors enter through well-preserved town gates. Inside the fortification walls stands the 17th-century Church of St. Anthony the Abbot. These details give a visit to this historic place a different character from the castle remains at Kožljak.
Within the wider destination of Općina Kršan, Plomin lies below Sisol at the entrance to inland Istria. The town was built on the foundations of the ancient Histrian and Roman town of Flanona. The Plomin Inscription, considered the oldest known Glagolitic inscription, is located in the Church of Sv. Jurja Starog. For a fun way to explore, there is also the Plominsko otkriće puzzle activity, which leads through historic lanes and past centuries-old buildings within the former town walls. Check in advance whether the activity is available during your travel dates.
Plants, traditions and events
The samoniklog bilja festival is held every year in the wider destination of Općina Kršan. Workshops cover making natural cosmetics, tea, tinctures, oils and fragrances, as well as preparing dishes with wild plants. Exhibitors showcase plant-based products, while chefs prepare and present dishes made with wild plants. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the latest dates.
A seasonal highlight in Plomin is the endemic “Istarski zvončić.” In late May and early June, the plant briefly adorns house façades, the church, walls and baladure. At Dani istarskog zvončića, the programme includes talks, exhibitions, singing and music. The flowering season and the events offer different ways to plan your visit: the bloom is limited to a short window, while the event dates determine when the festivities take place.
Kozljak can therefore be explored as a destination for castle and chapel history, while Općina Kršan offers further cultural, landscape and botanical themes. Which ones matter for your stay depends on whether you mainly want to include historic sites, nature or events in your plans.
Discover more destinations: Veljaki, Vozilici, Purgarija Čepić, Potpićan, Zatka Čepić, Zagorje, Plomin, Krsan.
Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Kršan.
