Municipality of Sveta Nedelja: Sculptures, marl dunes and wine trails

Sveta Nedelja lies on a high plateau above the Raša River, in the hinterland of Labin, and is surrounded by the Raša gorge. Art venues, walking paths and cycling routes give the municipality a variety of facets. When planning your hotel stay, you can first decide what you want to focus on: art, walking, cycling or local cuisine.

Dubrova: Sculptures, a path and a stage

At Dubrova Sculpture Park, the International Sculpture Symposium has added to a collection of sculptures made from Istrian stone year after year since 1970. A walk along Bijela cesta, the White Road, follows 16 sections, each 25 metres long. This lets you combine a visit to the park with a walk among the sculptures. Admission is free; organised group tours are available by prior arrangement. Check the current visiting conditions before a group visit.

The Dolac Amphitheatre in the park serves as a venue for art performances, concerts, theatre and other events. As the programme may change, it is advisable to check the dates before making plans. The park thus combines an outdoor collection with an event venue; when planning your visit, you can choose between a walk, a group tour by arrangement and an event.

Walking among marl dunes and vineyards

The Šumberske Dine walking trail passes through a distinctive area of marl dunes in the heart of the municipality. At 7.3 kilometres long, it connects natural features, local family businesses and unspoilt nature. Check the trail details locally before setting out.

The Kalića i Bukalete walking trail has a different character: it links the Istrian wine-growing landscape and picturesque vineyards with several ponds that are important for freshwater habitats, as well as traditional Istrian cuisine. The Boksitna pruga trail, in turn, follows the route of a former bauxite railway used during the mining era in Labinština. The two names therefore represent different points of interest for walkers: wine country and ponds on one route, a historic railway line on the other. Conditions on the Boksitna pruga may change; check them before your hike.

Those who would like to see animals can visit Farma Drijade. Advance booking is required; confirm the visiting arrangements before you arrive.

Cycling loops starting in Nedešćina

In Sveta Nedelja, you can explore three cycling routes that link natural and cultural heritage with local food and wine. Cycle Route 441, “Staza Plemića i Kalića”, is a circular route from Nedešćina through Jurazini, Eržišće, Blaškovići, Radovići, Šumber and Grašići, returning to Nedešćina. Route 442, “Tragom rudara i kamenih skulptura”, is a circular route from Nedešćina through Štrmac, Vinež, Tomažići, Cere and Santalezi, returning to Nedešćina. Both loops start and end in Nedešćina, but differ in the places along their respective routes. Trail conditions may change; check the latest information before cycling.

Istrian cuisine and local events

Agroturizam Cerovac in Eržišće serves traditional Istrian dishes, including chicken šugo and beef šugo with seasonal vegetables. Confirm the visiting arrangements before your trip. Tomažići Restaurant serves food and drinks, offers rooms with breakfast and has a wine bar; here, too, you should confirm the current arrangements in advance.

Municipality Day in Sveta Nedelja is celebrated on 16 October under the local name “na šesnajs otobra”. Details and the programme may change. Historically, 16 October was also the date of a widely known livestock fair in Nedešćina.

Discover more destinations

Strmac: Strmac, Paradiz, Nedescina, Sumber, Mali Golji, Mali Turini, Zupanici, Jurazini, Markoci, Vrecari.

For the main travel overview: Istria County.