Smoljanci: Village Centre, Cycling Route 671 and Rural Accommodation

Smoljanci combines an old stone village centre with cycling: Route 671 passes through the village, while Stancija 1904 offers rural accommodation in renovated traditional Istrian houses.

Staying in Smoljanci

The property includes a garden and a dry-stone wall enclosure. Both apartments are adapted for guests with disabilities. The enclosed konoba is reserved exclusively for overnight guests and currently offers bed and breakfast (B&B).

A 2014 description from the Croatian Ministry of Tourism notes that the cuisine at Stancija 1904 uses seasonal and regional ingredients from small local producers. A 2024 report about Stancija 1904 also mentions a school for traditional Istrian cuisine. If this offering matters for your trip, check in advance whether it is currently available.

Village Centre and Church

Smoljanci’s old village centre consists of stone, single-storey houses joined in rows and enclosed by high walls. The arrangement in rows is as defining as the material: the village’s appearance is shaped both by the connected rows of houses and by the walls surrounding the centre.

The Church of Our Lady of Health is located in Smoljanci. It has a single nave and a flat-ended apse. “Single-nave” describes a church space with one main nave; the apse forms the architectural end of the space. Traditional winegrowing is among the village’s inherited agricultural practices.

Cycling and Railway Connection

Cycling Route 671, “Putevima kaštela,” passes through Smoljanci and forms a circular route connecting Svetvinčenat, Krančići and Rapanji. The village is therefore part of a route linking several named places. In the wider destination of Općina Svetvinčenat, three easy cycling routes start in Svetvinčenat: 671, “Putevima kaštela,” is 11.8 km long; 690, “Renesansa na dva kotača,” is 29.6 km; and 683, “Stazom Grimani,” is 34 km. Of these three routes, 671 is the shortest.

Smoljanci is on the Pula–Divača railway line. The village’s railway station dates from the late 19th century and follows a standard design used by the Austrian State Railways. If you are planning a train journey, please check current passenger services.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Općina Svetvinčenat

In Svetvinčenat, Morosini-Grimani Castle tells its story through nine different multimedia features. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Venetian architecture in Istria and beyond. The Church of St Vincent dates from the 12th century. The Church of St Catherine dates from the 14th century and is decorated with frescoes from the early 15th century. The frescoes are newer than the church building.

Discover more destinations: Pajkovići, Pusti, Bokordici, Kranjčići, Bibići, Boškari, Režanci, Salambati.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Svetvinčenat.