Kovači: Culture and Regional Produce Nearby

• Nearby is the parish church of St. John the Baptist in Labinci. It dates from the 13th century, and frescoes from the first half of the 15th century have been preserved on its interior walls.
• The remains of Nigrinjan Castle lie on Gradine Hill above the Mirna Valley.
• The “Treasure of Nigrinjan” trail starts in Kaštelir and follows the former route of the Roman road Via Flavia.
• In the wider Kaštelir-Labinci travel area, regional agriculture is shaped by products such as wine, olive oil, potatoes, honey, and vegetables.

The parish church of St. John the Baptist is nearby, in Labinci. Its construction dates back to the 13th century; it was renovated in 1623. Frescoes from the first half of the 15th century have been preserved on the interior walls. This means that different periods can be distinguished in a single building: the church’s construction, a later renovation, and the creation of the preserved wall paintings.

Another historical point of reference is Nigrinjan Castle. Its remains stand on the summit of Gradine Hill above the Mirna Valley. A reference dating to 1177 is recorded for the historical context of Kaštelir: the place is described as the castle of the Bishop of Poreč above the Mirna Valley and called Nigrignanum. The 1177 reference concerns Kaštelir; the described castle remains are near Nigrinjan. These are two distinct historical points of reference.

The trail begins at the northeastern entrance to Kaštelir, near the cemetery in the hamlet of Babići. From there, it heads north, passing Tadini and Mekiši near Kaštelir. Its route follows the former path of the Roman road Via Flavia.

These details give the trail its own historical and geographical context: the starting point is in Kaštelir, the route heads north, and the former Roman road provides the reference for its course. This distinguishes it from cultural sites whose defining features are primarily their architectural history, frescoes, or the location of castle remains. When comparing destinations, you can therefore decide whether you are more interested in dated artworks, historical place references, or a described trail route.

The wider Kaštelir-Labinci travel area has well-known producers of wine, potatoes, olive oil, honey, and vegetables. Most of them have received various awards. Many wine cellars are listed on the wine route maps of Istria County. These details place the products in their regional context and describe the producers and wine cellars of the wider area.

One specific example of olive cultivation is the Grebac family, who have been growing olives in the Kaštelir-Labinci area for four generations. Their olive grove covers 5 hectares within a larger estate and contains a total of 1,500 trees. The long tradition of cultivation and the figures for the area and number of trees give a more detailed picture of this operation, without narrowing the region’s produce to a single variety or producer.

The details answer different questions: in Labinci, the focus is on construction phases and frescoes; at Nigrinjan, the location of the castle remains on the summit of Gradine Hill above the Mirna Valley is described. For the “Treasure of Nigrinjan” trail, the starting point, direction, and former Via Flavia route provide orientation. By contrast, wine and olive cultivation point to the wider travel area and its agricultural produce.

The geographical levels remain distinct: Kaštelir and the Kaštelir-Labinci area belong to the wider travel area; the regional produce is located there, while the castle remains near Nigrinjan are a separate historical point of reference.

Discover more destinations: Krancici, Kastelir.

Which frescoes have been preserved in Labinci?

Frescoes from the first half of the 15th century have been preserved on the interior walls of the parish church of St. John the Baptist.

Where does the “Treasure of Nigrinjan” trail begin?

It begins at the northeastern entrance to Kaštelir, near the cemetery in the hamlet of Babići, and heads north past Tadini and Mekiši near Kaštelir.

How large is the Grebac family’s olive grove?

It covers 5 hectares within a larger estate and contains a total of 1,500 trees. The family has been growing olives in the Kaštelir-Labinci area for four generations.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Kaštelir - Labinci.