The pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Health shapes Hreljići’s cultural identity. A section of the Camino South Istria also leads towards the village, and the Flanatica cycling route 341 passes through Hreljići. This gives you a choice of different travel themes: a Marian feast with a procession, the history of the church building, a walking route or a 35-kilometre cycling loop. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether the occasion for your trip or your planned activity is your main priority.

Pilgrimage and Church Construction

The Church of Our Lady of Health in Hreljići is a Marian pilgrimage site. The annual procession with the statue takes place around the church on the second Sunday in October. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the local programme for the relevant year in advance. In 2023, the feast of Sveta Marija od Zdravlja was celebrated with a large procession. The 2026 programme lists a traditional music concert in Hreljići: local singers and musicians perform Istrian folk music in front of the church. Individual dates and programmes may change; in exceptional cases, the venue may also change.

The church’s construction history also offers a specific point of interest for visitors. The church was built in 1726 and completed within two years; renovations followed in 1764 and 1980. Inside are a nave, a small chapel, a sacristy and three marble altars. The furnishings also include a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and a rosary dating from 1736. The cemetery next to the church was established in 1752. Together with the annual pilgrimage date, these details give the site both a religious and a historical focus.

The area’s historical context extends beyond the church. Archaeological traces in the Hreljići area include prehistoric hillfort settlements, Roman country villas and evidence from the Middle Ages. These different periods complement the specific dates relating to the church with a longer history of settlement.

Walking the Camino and Cycling Through Several Places

For walkers, the seventh day stage of the Camino South Istria is a useful reference point: it passes through greenery towards Hreljići and identifies the Church of Saint Mary of Health as a suitable place for a short rest. After the church stop, the stage continues along the state road to Manjadvorci. The sections described therefore differ clearly: first, the route passes through greenery to the village; after the stop at the church, it continues along the state road. Before setting out, check current trail and road conditions, as well as walking conditions. If you rely on facilities during your break, ask locally about them.

Route 341 Flanatica is another way to include Hreljići in a tour: the 35-kilometre circular route passes through Marčana, Krnica, Rakalj, Uvala Blaz, Belavići, Hreljići, Prodol and Divišći. The 35 kilometres refer to the entire loop, not just the section in Hreljići. The route is classified as moderately difficult and is suitable for e-bikes. Check current route conditions before setting off. For planning purposes, the distinction is clear: the Camino section is described as a day stage with a stop at the church followed by onward travel, while Flanatica is a circular route through several named places.

At the wider destination level, the 193-kilometre Camino South Istria passes through the municipality of Općina Marčana. This regional perspective differs from the specific directions for Hreljići: for the village, the seventh day stage describes the route towards Hreljići, the stop at the church and the onward route to Manjadvorci.

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