September 2, 2026:
Known as the “Town of Artists”, this hilltop town is home to some 20 plus local galleries set against a backdrop of cobblestone streets and ancient architecture. Grožnjan’s artistic revival began in 1965, when artists from all over the world inhabited the empty houses abandoned by Italians after WWII.
Town Walk
As all of the town is pedestrianized, walking is the only way to experience it. We parked in the big pay lot above the cemetery and walked into town.
Grožnjan Trouist Map
Chapel of the Holy Spirit: Next to the parking lot, this chapel dates from 1598 and was restored in 1799.
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Church of St. Nicholas: Located by the town cemetery, this church was built in the 19th century.
Church of St. Nicholas
Church of Sts. Cosimo and Damian: This church was built in 1564. Saints Cosimo and Damian were 3rd-century twin brothers and early Christian martyrs.
Church of Sts. Cosimo and Damian
Olive Oil Press: Istrian soil is good for olive growing, and Istria is at the top in olive oil production in Croatia. There are several olive oil shops in Grožnjan.
Olive Oil Press
The Town Gate: Dating from the 15th century, the town gate is decorated with the coats of arms of the Venetian rectors from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Town Gate
Loggia and Fonticus: The loggia is first mentioned in the 14th century. The fonticus over the loggia was built in 1597, and it used to house a court with a prison and a grain warehouse on the first floor, where all the city’ weights and measures were kept. It now houses the town gallery “Fonticus”.
Loggia and Fonticus
In Vitro Veritas: This store, located in the Old Stationery Office, makes an unusual collection of jewelry art.
In Vitro Veritas
Joy Gallery: This shop has a variety of handmade items and souvenirs.
Joy Gallery
Art Kamenko Atelier: Located at the end of a small street, this easy-to-miss shop specializes in stone art.
Art Kamenko Ateiler
Galerija Gasspar: This gallery stops you with the signs (“Warning! No Stupid People Beyond This Point”).
Galerija Gasspar
Viewpoint: You can see Motovun in the distance.
Motovun in the Distance
Bust of Boško Petrović: Close to the Viewpoint, this bust honors Croatian Record Producer Boško Petrović.
Bust of Boško Petrović, Croatian Record Producer
Butižin Souvenir Shop: Handmade ceramics, other souvenirs.
Butižin Souvenir Shop
Grisignana Souvenir Shop: General souvenirs.
Grisignana Souvenir Shop
Shop Istra Truffle Shop: Wine, Truffles, Cheese with Truffles, Handmade Chocolate Brandy, Honey, Olive Oil.
Shop Istra Truffle Shop
Aura Distillery Shop: The Aura Distillery produces twenty-four different brandies and liqueurs , four types of gin and nine types of jam.
Aura Distillery Shop
Artegnana Sculpture: Artegnana has a 1798 front stone façade, complemented by this wooden sculpture. Artegnana 1798 is a bed & breakfast and a bistro.
Artegnana Sculpture
Model Boats: These boats were uniquely handcrafted by Igor Hajdarhodžić. Instead of traditional wood or plastic, the boats are made from recycled scrap metal, discarded iron, and rusty metallic parts.
Model Boats
Bust of Sculptor Alexander Rukavina: The town’s transformation into an artistic center took place mostly thanks to the efforts of Aleksandar Rukavina, a sculptor from Zagreb, and his fellow visual artists, who organized various programs and art colonies in abandoned stone houses.
Bust of Sculptor Alexander Rukavina
Parish Church of Sts. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia: This church is first mentioned in 1310. Its present appearance dates back to 1748-70. The baroque choir benches date from 1711. The altar of St. Blaise displays a painting of Francesco Travio from 1716. The church tower was built from 1603 to 1682. It is 36 meters tall.
Church Entrance
Altar Painting: Angels intervening in Pula amphitheater to save Christians
This concludes our Grožnjan Town Walk.