Frančići: Bepo Markoc and the surrounding culture

Frančići has a specific biographical connection to culture: Josip Miletić, known as Bepo Markoc, played the large sopela. He was born on 25 December 1909 in Frančići above the Raša Valley and died there on 6 November 1986. Near the village, the abandoned Church of Saints John and Paul is considered a monument. Check its condition before visiting.

Sculpture in the surrounding area

The Dubrova Sculpture Park nearby is an open-air museum of contemporary sculpture; around 70 sculptures are located in Dubrova. The White Road is a walkable route comprising 16 sections, each 25 metres long, created by Croatian artists such as Edo Murtić, Julije Knifer and Dušan Džamonja. The International Sculpture Symposium takes place every year in August and September. Several guest artists create stone sculptures, and since 1970 the symposium has enriched the collection of Istrian stone sculptures year after year. Individual programme details may vary. If you want to plan your trip around the symposium, check the programme in advance.

Regional setting: Općina Sveta Nedelja

Općina Sveta Nedelja lies on a plateau at an elevation of 250 to 300 metres, extending from the Raša River to the sea in the hinterland of Labin. The Raša runs along the western municipal boundary. Near Rabac, the sea is about ten kilometres away. The area is described as a link between green and blue Istria.

Walking and cycling routes in Općina Sveta Nedelja

The Šumberske Dine walking trail is 7.3 kilometres long and links natural phenomena, local family-run farms and largely unspoilt nature. It passes through marl dunes and an area with rare geological features. At the cemetery along the route stands the 16th-century Church of St Quirinus; it is one of two religious buildings that can be visited along the trail.

The ten-kilometre Staza kalića i bukaleta trail runs through vineyards and past several ponds, which are important freshwater habitats for plant and animal life. The route is also associated with traditional Istrian cuisine. Kalić Dužica, the Čiper pond, the Marguda pond and the Rupica spring are rare, surviving freshwater habitats along the trail. By comparison, at 7.3 kilometres, Šumberske Dine is the shorter of the two walks mentioned; their highlights range from marl dunes and family-run farms to vineyards, ponds and cuisine. Check local trail conditions before setting out on a walk.

For cyclists, the Trail of Ponds and Nobility (441) starts in the centre of Nedešćina and heads towards the hamlets of Jurazini and Eržišće, where there are several ponds. The Trail of Miners and Stone Sculptures (442) also starts in Nedešćina and also leads to the centre of Vinež, where the miners’ strike began. Check local route conditions before setting out.

Architectural and cultural history

Kaštel Šumber was built in the hamlet of Stari Grad in Šumber on the site of a prehistoric fortification. It is a protected cultural asset of national importance. The Stancija Franković–Lazzarini estate complex is located near Štrmac. It was built in 1654 on land belonging to the Franković-Vlačić noble family from Labin and, as a residential and agricultural complex, features fortification elements. Most parts of the building have been abandoned, and the east wing is partly in ruins. The Baroque atmosphere and the complex’s basic features have been preserved.

Religious traditions are also part of the municipality’s cultural heritage: the Šćavet, a lectionary containing church hymns from the early 18th century, is preserved in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dren. The song “V see vrime godisccha” was recorded in it.

Culinary offerings and planning your visit

Nearby, in Gorenji Kraj in Šumber, the Giovanna Allegra agritourism establishment serves traditional dishes from the Labin area; the recipes are linked to Italian cuisine. At the Pineta agritourism establishment, you can taste products from the Radićanin family farm, including acacia and wildflower honey, homemade juices and jams. Visits to see the animals at Farma Drijade in Općina Sveta Nedelja must be arranged in advance. Confirm visiting arrangements and current offerings ahead of time.

Discover more destinations: Kraj Drage, Rakitje, Santalezi, Ružići, Veli Golji, Veli Turini, Novaki, Kerestinec

For the broader travel overview: Općina Sveta Nedelja.