The history of church architecture, a route through the Cere Forest and a distinctive folklore tradition give Cere its varied cultural and scenic character. The Church of Saint Matthew and Saint Matthias the Apostle was consecrated in 1711; the year is carved into the altar. The single-nave building was constructed in 1630 on the site of an older church, and the porch was added in 1698. This places the building, porch and consecration in three different phases of the church’s history.
Church and Landscaped Hill
The church is in Cere, 5.5 km southeast of the municipal centre of Žminj. The landscaped hill with the church is dotted with numerous older trees, mostly cypresses. Here, historic building phases meet a landscaped, tree-covered setting. A 360-degree virtual tour of Cere also includes a view of the church interior; descriptions are available in Croatian, English and German. Check before travelling to see whether the tour is currently accessible.
Forest Landscape on Trail 651
Trail 651 passes through the Cere Forest and by a pond and Varine. Varine are large artificial pits left behind by earlier flint-sand mining. After leaving the forest, the trail reaches a clearing with a view of the UÄŤka peaks. The route thus leads from forest and pond, through a landscape shaped by mining, to an open view towards the mountains. Together with the older cypresses on the church hill, it reveals different aspects of the local landscape.
Folklore and Matejeva
Folklorno društvo Cere was founded in 1945 and is considered the oldest folklore society in Istria. Musicians, dancers and singers regularly perform at folklore events in Istria, Croatia and abroad; individual dates vary. The society teaches children Istrian dances and songs, including the Ceranski balun. The society’s activities and repertoire may change over time.
Matejeva has been held at least eight times as a charitable event. At the celebration, volunteers from the parish of St Matthew prepare the food and drink; arrangements may vary from one edition to the next. If you are planning a visit around an event, it is advisable to check the relevant dates.
Regional Context: Općina Žminj
In the wider destination of Općina Žminj, Žminj is regarded as a historic crossroads in central Istria. Route 761 Žminj–Feštini starts next to the Žminj tower, passes through the square in front of the parish church of St Michael and continues through the old town along the old stone road Štradi. The landscape of the municipality of Žminj is shaped by karst terrain, rolling topography and distinctive soils.
Žminj’s historical heritage is also distinctive: the castle was probably built in the 15th century on a square plan. Beside it stands the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, decorated in 1471 with works of art by an unknown artist. Today, a smaller part of the citadel is visible, including one of the four round towers, a wing of the fortification, an outer section of the fortifications and a well-preserved public water cistern dating from 1863. The Calvary in the western part of Žminj, near the road between Pazin and Pula, was built of stone in 1728. It consists of three crosses enclosed by a wall and secured by an iron gate.
The one-hour guided tour “Žminjska štuorija” introduces visitors to the history and customs of Žminj’s residents, their language, and the town’s sacred and secular architectural heritage. It also includes a tasting of specialities from local producers and a demonstration of how to prepare typical Istrian pasta such as Makaruni and Fuži. The tour is seasonal; check the dates before your trip. The Istrian Pasta Festival in Žminj aims to preserve and nurture the local pasta tradition, promote traditional varieties and support their producers; the specific programme may change. Bartulja is a folk festival with a tradition of at least a hundred years and takes place on the last Saturday in August. Check future event dates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Gradisce, Tomisici, Prkačini, Krculi, Šivati, Vidulini, Žagrići, Brkići.
Return to the main travel overview: Općina Žminj.
