In Tomišići, nature and sacred heritage are close together: Crkva Majke Božje od Svetomora stands beside an avenue of white-blossoming chestnut trees, which is of ecological and biological value. Tomišići is also part of an area designated as a botanical reserve. If you are planning to focus on nature, check the reserve’s current boundaries before making detailed plans.
Church, Chapel and History
Lower sections of the walls and an apse with a semicircular window from an early Romanesque church have been preserved at Crkva Majke Božje od Svetomora. The porch features eight Baroque-styled caryatids, mostly angels, created by a local sculptor. The remains of the walls and the apse point to the church’s early Romanesque history, while the caryatids add a distinct Baroque accent.
A chapel is also part of the village’s history: a chapel was built in Tomišići in 1914. During the 63rd edition of the Planinarski križni put in 2019, a wayside chapel in Tomišići served as the second station. These are historical milestones in the area’s sacred heritage, not information about current event dates.
Accommodation and Other Activities
House Tijan is a holiday home at Tomišići 1, Žminj. Check current availability and accommodation details before your trip. As another possible activity, QuadExplore presents its tours as a way to discover unspoilt nature, old villages and landscapes. QuadExplore’s contact address is Tomišići 14, Žminj, Croatia. Provider information may change; confirm availability before travelling.
More to Explore in the Wider Općina Žminj
The landscape of Općina Žminj is characterised by karst formations, hilly terrain and distinctive soils. Žminj is regarded as a historic crossroads in central Istria. This regional context complements, but does not replace, the features of Tomišići itself.
For planning your own route in Općina Žminj, Route 761 Žminj–Feštini offers a practical guide: it starts next to the tower in Žminj, passes across the square in front of the parish church of St Michael and continues through the old town along the old stone street “Štradi”. Trail conditions may change.
Žminj’s history also offers several distinct points of interest. The castle was probably built in the 15th century, with a quadrangular ground plan. Next to it, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was adorned with artworks by an unknown artist in 1471. Today, a smaller part of the citadel is visible, including one of the four round towers, a section of the fortification, an outer defensive wall and a well-preserved public water cistern dating from 1863.
The Calvary of Žminj was built of stone in 1728. It consists of three crosses enclosed by a wall and secured by an iron gate, and is located in the western part of Žminj, near the road between Pazin and Pula. The area’s history can thus be read in different architectural forms: the castle and citadel on the one hand, and the distinctive Calvary on the other.
Seasonal and cultural highlights in Općina Žminj include festivals and guided tours. Bartulja is a folk festival in Žminj with a tradition of at least a hundred years; it takes place on the last Saturday in August. The tradition also includes a Mass at the Church of St Bartholomew at the entrance to Žminj. Check the dates of upcoming editions, as they may change. The Istrian Pasta Festival in Žminj aims to preserve and nurture the local tradition of Istrian pasta, promote native varieties and support their producers; the specific programme may vary.
The one-hour “Žminjska štuorija” guided tour explores the history and customs of Žminj’s residents, their language, and their sacred and secular architectural heritage. Seasonal offerings include tastings of specialities from local producers and demonstrations of how typical pasta such as makaruni and fuži is made. Check the dates in advance. Various exhibitions are also held in the tower of Žminj, including displays of handmade nativity scenes, a small tower market and Bartulja exhibitions. Check current opening hours and access information before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Brkići, Prkačini, Cere, Gržini, Žminj, Vidulini, Gradisce, Šivati.
View the wider travel guide: Općina Žminj.
