Sosici: Railway Line and Maklavun

Three different themes come together around Sosici: the former railway connection between Kanfanar and Rovinj, the Bronze Age burial mound Maklavun near Sošići, and the Štrika-Ferata cycling and walking route. The former railway line is part of the area’s transport history; Maklavun dates back to the Bronze Age. Today, the former railway corridor is also used as a cycling and walking route.

Former railway line and cycling route

The Kanfanar–Rovinj railway operated from 20 September 1876 to 20 October 1966. Along its corridor were four railway stations and 14 guard houses. Today, the corridor is used as a cycling and walking route. Its period of operation and its current use therefore belong to different phases of the same infrastructure.

The official Štrika-Ferata cycling and walking route passes through the cadastral municipality of Sošići. It is 22.6 kilometres long, rated easy, and includes 20.6 kilometres of gravel surface. Its length, difficulty rating, and surface provide different points of reference for planning. As surface conditions and technical details can change through maintenance, check the route conditions before setting out.

Maklavun: a Bronze Age burial mound

Maklavun lies by the road to Rovinj, near Sošići. The Bronze Age tumulus is estimated to be 3,500 to 4,000 years old. Its structure includes a tholos burial chamber and a dromos. These terms distinguish the burial chamber from its entrance passage and help explain the layout of the burial mound.

The entrance’s orientation also matters: because it faces the winter solstice point, Maklavun is interpreted as a possible solar observatory. This interpretation remains a possibility. If you plan to visit the site, check local access conditions beforehand.

More routes and culture in Općina Kanfanar

Općina Kanfanar provides the regional context. The municipality lies in the heart of the Istrian peninsula, where green and blue Istria meet. In Općina Kanfanar, visitors can explore the natural and cultural heritage along cycling routes.

Another route in Općina Kanfanar is the Captain Morgan and the Ghost Town cycling route. It is 23.8 kilometres long and rated moderate; at 22.6 kilometres, Štrika-Ferata is shorter and rated easy. The Captain Morgan and the Ghost Town cycling route starts and ends in Kanfanar and passes through the Limska Draga valley and Dvigrad. Check the route before setting out.

The parish church of St. Sylvester in Kanfanar, within Općina Kanfanar, also offers a glimpse into the region’s history. Built in 1696, it contains a stone pulpit from Dvigrad dating to the 13th century. Jakovlja is a traditional festival in Kanfanar, held on the last weekend of July. At the festival, visitors can watch the public weighing of Istrian oxen and traditional ploughing with oxen. Confirm the date and programme for the relevant year in advance.

Discover more destinations: Červari, Kurili, Ladići, Burići, Putini, Kanfanar, Barat, Matohanci

For the broader travel overview: Općina Kanfanar.