Beram reveals traces of several eras: a settlement already existed here in the Iron Age, while churches and monuments preserve different forms of art and architecture. Two clear highlights are the sacred art in and around Beram and hiking trail 711 between Pazin and Beram. The sanctuary of St. Martin’s Church dates from 1431; the cemetery church of St. Mary of the Rocks lies one kilometre northeast of the village.

A settlement shaped by several historical layers

The conical hill above a fertile valley provided the setting for a fortified settlement. Beram’s radial street network is associated with this ancient fortified settlement. Roman fortifications and medieval castles were later built on the ruins of earlier ramparts. The medieval settlement was surrounded by walls with a square defensive tower; sections of the walls remain today. The historic entrances are still called Vela and Mala vrata. The hill, street network and layers of fortifications offer different insights into the village’s history.

St. Martin’s Church: Paintings and relief

Murals by two 15th-century masters survive in the sanctuary of St. Martin’s Church. Another work of art can be found in the church: a stone relief of Saint Martin and the beggar, protected as a movable cultural monument. Thus, murals and a relief with a clearly identified subject stand side by side in one place of worship. The sanctuary itself dates from 1431; the paintings belong to a later period.

St. Mary of the Rocks and the “Dance of the Dead”

The cemetery church of St. Mary of the Rocks lies one kilometre northeast of Beram. Its interior walls are almost entirely covered with well-preserved late Gothic frescoes by Master Vincent of Kastav. The central fresco, “Dance of the Dead,” depicts kings, merchants, cardinals and the pope dancing hand in hand with Death. Figures from different social ranks appear together in this scene. While St. Martin’s Church is noted for murals by two 15th-century masters, St. Mary of the Rocks is especially distinguished by this named fresco.

A monument dating from 1953

The Vladimir Gortan monument in Beram dates from 1953. It takes the form of a sarcophagus-shaped stećak and was created jointly by architects Zdenko Kolacio and Zdenko Sila. This work, with its distinct and explicitly named form, complements the village’s sacred art and older layers of fortifications.

Hiking the Pazin–Beram–Pazin 711 trail

The Pazin–Beram–Pazin 711 hiking trail runs from Pazin via Gortanov brijeg to Beram. On the return, it passes over the Santarija plateau and by the Pazinski krov waterfall before reaching Pazin. Most of the trail is in the shade. Its sequence of Beram, the plateau and the waterfall sets this hiking option apart from the cultural attractions associated with churches and monuments. If you include both in your travel plans, you can compare the art and local history with the route’s landscape highlights.

Discover more destinations: Heki, Trviž, Brajkovići, Zabrežani, Ježenj, Vela Traba, Pazin

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