Bicici: Martinja and Via St. Martin

If you are considering Bičići as a destination for a hotel stay, three themes in particular shape its character: the Martinja tradition, the Church of St. Martin, and the Via St. Martin circular route. Bičići is also located away from the main road corridors in the hilly interior. This makes it a destination to consider for cultural interests and a longer hiking or cycling excursion.

Cultural Heritage in Bičići

The Martinja celebration in Bičići has a long-standing tradition and is associated with the veneration of St. Martin. It is traced back to Frankish times. The tradition itself is enduring, but the dates and programs of individual events may vary. If attending a specific celebration is important to your trip, check the relevant event dates.

The single-nave Church of St. Martin lies north of Bičići. Its origins are probably dated to the 11th century; it was restored in 1315. A Crucifixion fresco from the first half of the 14th century has been preserved. A monastery associated with the church is mentioned in the Istrian Survey of 1325. The presumed date of origin, the restoration, and the fresco reveal the church’s different historical layers.

Via St. Martin: A Circular Route for Hiking and Cycling

Via St. Martin is a circular route that starts and ends in Bičići and is used for hiking and cycling. It is 14.1 kilometers long, includes 111 meters of elevation gain, and takes about four to five hours. The approximate time provides a guide for planning; trail conditions and markings may change. Check them before setting out.

The route passes through Glavani and by the local Adrenaline Park before returning to Bičići. An adventure stop can add to your hiking or cycling excursion. Operations and available activities may change; check the current offerings in advance.

Location and Getting There

Bičići is located away from the main road corridors and can be reached via the local Orbanići–Šajini road. Its location is defined by the hilly interior. As local access conditions may change, check road conditions before driving.

Culture and Trails in Općina Barban

In the wider destination of Općina Barban, Barban has its own historical profile. Over the course of history, the settlement developed into a fortified complex with walls, round and square towers, bastions, large and small town gates, and a castle. The Parish Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop in Barban was built in 1701 and fully completed in 1708. The Church of St. James the Apostle in Barban contains the only surviving fresco cycle in Istria depicting the legend of St. James. This cultural history provides an additional regional point of interest alongside the traditions and historical traces in Bičići.

The trails in the wider destination of Općina Barban also vary in format. Cycling route 631 starts and ends in Barban and is 33 kilometers long. The “Tepla stran–Puntera–Blaz” hiking trail is suitable for hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and mountain hiking; the one-way distance is 7.25 kilometers, and the round trip is 14.5 kilometers. This lets you choose between a longer cycling loop and a trail with separately stated one-way and total distances. Route conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Manjadvorci, Grandići, Vadreš, Balići Ii, Barban, Hrboki, Šajini, Rebići

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Barban.