Various themes to explore come together around Mihelići: agricultural history near Baredine, religious art and local history in Žbandaj, and the karst landscape of Baredine Cave. For cyclists, the area extends as far as the Poreč region; a mountain biking loop also passes through Mihelici. You can organize your choices around your main interests rather than trying to pack every place and route into a tight itinerary.
Agricultural history near Baredine
Traktor Story is an ethnographic exhibition dedicated to agriculture near Baredine Cave. Around fifty vintage tractors are on display there. Its exhibits include wheat threshing and the production of bread, olive oil and wine as aspects of the agricultural history of this area. For travelers interested in local everyday history, these topics complement the vehicle collection with specific activities and products.
Church art and local history in Žbandaj
The three-nave parish church of Saints John and Paul was built in 1595 on the site of an older church. Its construction took place when people from the Dalmatian hinterland were being settled here; the parish was also established at that time. The bell tower is 20 meters high. Inside are several works of art and a holy water font bearing the carved date 1688. The church was renovated in 1994.
To place these events in context, it is also worth looking at the history of the settlement: Žbandaj was founded in 1570 by Juraj Filipin, who arrived with 40 families from Zemunik near Zadar and established the settlement on the site of an abandoned village. The founding of the settlement, the construction of the church and the inscription on the holy water font thus belong to different points in time.
The karst landscape of Baredine Cave
Baredine Cave near Nova Vas is a protected geomorphological natural monument. The visitor trail runs through five chambers and descends to a depth of 60 meters. During a cave visit, you can discover the underground animal life, including the endemic olm Proteus anguinus, which lives only in these karst areas. The visitor site also includes the Speleolit caving center.
A love legend from the 13th century also links the cave to the shepherdess Milka. In this way, natural history and local folklore offer different perspectives side by side. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting options in advance.
Cycling routes in Mihelići and the Poreč region
There are ten cycling routes in the Poreč region, with a total length of about 250 kilometers. They pass through vineyards and olive groves and are suitable both for recreational cyclists and for professional athletes training. Route 141 MAXIMUS AGRI follows the course of the former Roman road Maximus Agri and, toward the end, joins the Parenzana railway trail, which leads back to the city center.
Route 545 Do Istarske konobe runs along wide gravel roads and through vineyards, as well as on shaded forest paths. It then continues for about 1.2 kilometers to the village of Filipini. Another option is the Veleniki–Mihelici–Vrznaveri–Kosinovići–Vrvari mountain biking loop, which passes through Mihelici and is 8.26 miles long. Much of it runs along unpaved roads and lightly trafficked, yet rideable paths.
The details emphasize different things: for the cycling routes in the Poreč region, the focus is on total distance and scenery, while for the loop through Mihelici, it is on the circuit and trail surface. Check the current condition of the mountain biking route before setting off.
Accommodation in Mihelići
Ville Mihelići is associated with the addresses Mihelići 1b and 1c in Poreč.
Discover more destinations: Starići, Mugeba, Frata, Kukci, Dracevac, Musalež, Nova Vas, Jehnići
For the broader travel overview: Općina Poreč.
