The official Tartufina Cycling Route 513 climbs to Bartolići and continues above the settlement at a crossroads below Šimeći. Nearby are churches with clearly datable architectural and artistic histories. Bartolići therefore offers a specific point of reference for a cycling trip, complemented by historic sites in the surrounding area.
Cycling the Tartufina Route
The section near Bartolići is part of Tartufina Cycling Route 513. In the wider travel area, the 34.7-kilometre circular route passes through Sovinjak and Istarske toplice before returning to Buzet. It covers 780 metres of elevation gain; 12.5 kilometres are on asphalt and 22.2 kilometres on gravel. The gravel section is therefore longer than the asphalt section. Together with the elevation gain, this gives a clear idea of the route profile: the tour is rated as challenging. Check conditions along the route before setting out.
For finding your way around the area, the route above the settlement is important: it continues at a crossroads below Šimeći. The circular route through the wider travel area and this section near Bartolići answer two different planning questions—how the tour runs overall and where it passes by the settlement. The kilometres and surface details given refer to the entire loop, not just the section near Bartolići.
Churches and history nearby
Bartolići is one of the settlements in the parish of Župa sv. Jurja mučenika in Sovinjak, founded in 1645. The parish church in Sovinjak was built in 1927 on the site of an older church dating from 1556. The bell tower beside the church dates from 1557. The three dates mark different building phases: 1556 refers to the older church, 1557 to the tower and 1927 to the construction of the parish church.
The nearby Church of Saint Roch also has a precise date: it dates from the 15th century. Behind the altar is a fresco of Saint Roch, painted by Domenico of Udine in 1571. The age of the church and the date of the fresco therefore stand as two distinct historical points of reference.
In Sovinjska Brda, the Church of Saint Helena was restored. The work included repairing the roof, renovating the interior walls, replacing the windows and reconstructing the altar. These details provide a clear picture of which parts of the church building were addressed during the restoration.
Landscape and nature in the wider travel area
The wider Buzet and Buzeština region encompasses valleys, gorges, hills and partly forested mountains. Elevations range from 100 to over 1,000 metres. The Town of Buzet and the Municipality of Lanišće are part of the Bijela Istra landscape region. Its name refers to the steep white limestone cliffs of the Ćićarija mountain range.
Nearby Motovunska šuma is listed as ecological network area HR2000637 and is described as an area of biological importance. Butterfly surveys were conducted there on 20 March 2011, 27 May 2012 and 14 June 2012; the survey site was 500 metres east of Bartolići.
Where to stay in Bartolići
Villa Trüffel-Garten is located at Livade / Žugani 62 in Bartolići. Walking, hiking, cycling and bicycle rental are listed as leisure activities at the villa. This information relates to the accommodation. Check the villa’s current availability and the availability of the listed activities directly before planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ročko Polje, Blatna Vas, Baredine, Sovinjak, Roc, Buzet, Marčenegla, Juradi
For the wider travel overview: Općina Buzet.
