In Bicici, the Martinja tradition and a historic church meet a circular route for walking and cycling. The Via St. Martin starts and ends in the village; its length and approximate duration give you a concrete framework for planning.
Martinja and the Church of St. Martin
The Martinja tradition in Bicici has long been associated with the veneration of St. Martin and is traced back to the Frankish period. The tradition itself is enduring, while dates and programmes for individual events may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular celebration, check the latest dates in advance.
The single-nave Church of St. Martin stands north of Bicici. It probably dates from the 11th century and was restored in 1315. A fresco depicting the Crucifixion, dating from the first half of the 14th century, has been preserved there. A monastery associated with the church is mentioned in the Istrian census of 1325. The different time references—from its presumed construction to the restoration and the fresco—also make the church an interesting place to visit for those with a cultural and historical interest.
Via St. Martin: Circular Route and Time Needed
The Via St. Martin is a circular route for walkers and cyclists that starts and ends in Bicici. The route is 14.1 km long, has an elevation gain of 111 metres and takes around four to five hours. This makes it possible to plan the route as a substantial day trip; you can also allow extra time for breaks if needed.
Along the way, the route passes through Glavani and by the Adrenaline Park there before returning to Bicici. This means you can optionally combine the circuit with an adventure stop. Opening hours and available activities may change, so check what the park currently offers in advance. Trail conditions and markings may also change, so it is a good idea to check locally before setting off.
Location and Directions
Bicici lies away from the main traffic routes in the hilly inland area and can be reached via the local Orbanići–Šajini road. This location is a useful point of reference when planning both your journey and a tour through the inland area. Check current conditions on the access road before driving, too.
Culture and Routes in the Wider Destination of Općina Barban
Within the wider destination of Općina Barban, Barban offers its own cultural and historical points of interest. Over the course of its history, the town developed into a fortified settlement with walls, round and square towers, bastions, large and small town gates, and a castle. Its churches also offer a range of points of interest: the Parish Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop in Barban was built in 1701 and fully completed in 1708. The Church of St. Anthony the Hermit contains frescoes from the early 15th century. The Church of St. James the Apostle in Barban contains the only preserved fresco cycle in Istria depicting the legend of St. James.
The cultural traditions of Općina Barban also include Trka na prstenac, which was added to Croatia’s list of intangible cultural heritage on 4 April 2016. Another regional speciality is Barbanski kolač, a traditional cake from the area around Barban. It is round with a hole in the middle and was historically associated with weddings.
For a comparison of walking routes, consider the “Tepla stran–Puntera–Blaz” trail: it is suitable for walking, trekking, horseback riding and mountain hiking. The one-way distance is 7.25 km, and the round trip is 14.5 km. This is a similar total distance to the Via St. Martin’s 14.1 km, though the listed activities differ. If you would rather cycle in the wider destination of Općina Barban, consider cycling route 631: it starts and ends in Barban and is 33 km long. Route lengths and conditions may change; check the conditions before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Manjadvorci, Melnica, Vadreš, Hrboki, Kožljani, Šajini, Puntera, Grandići.
Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Barban.
