Zbandaj offers two distinct ways to explore the town’s history: the parish church of the holy martyrs John and Paul, and the town’s founding by Juraj Filipin with 40 families. The town also has a clear road orientation between Poreč and Baderna. This makes it possible to understand a stay in cultural terms through the history of buildings and settlement, while also planning around named roads.
Parish Church: Construction and Features
The parish church of the holy martyrs John and Paul was built in 1595 on the site of an older religious building. The year dates the parish church; its predecessor points to earlier religious use of the same site. Features of the church include a 20-meter-high bell tower and a holy water font dating from 1688. There are 93 years between 1595 and 1688, so the construction and furnishings represent two different historical periods. Restoration work on the church was also announced for 2025.
The information can be read in different ways: the year 1595 marks the construction of the church, while 1688 dates the holy water font; the tower’s height, by contrast, is a measurement, not a date. Together, these details provide a historical overview in which the construction period, earlier religious use and furnishings each have their own role. If you enjoy exploring churches through specific details, you can consider these features as separate points of reference rather than as a single building event.
The Founding of Zbandaj
The founding of Zbandaj is attributed to Juraj Filipin. He came from Zemunik near Zadar with 40 families and established the settlement on the site of an abandoned village. The town’s history thus distinguishes between the place of origin and the new settlement: Zemunik identifies Filipin’s place of origin, while the abandoned village site identifies where the settlement was established. The 40 families make the founding tangible as a community settlement. The founding story thus complements the history of the church by focusing on the people who settled at this site, which had previously been used as a village. The history of the buildings and the history of the settlement show two different sides of Zbandaj: the religious use of a place and the formation of a community.
Location and Orientation
Zbandaj lies beside Croatia’s D302 road between Poreč and Baderna. At a junction, this road meets the road to Sveti Lovreč Pazenatički. To find your bearings on a map, you can first locate the D302 between the two places mentioned, then take into account the turnoff toward Sveti Lovreč Pazenatički. The D302 and the other road are two distinct reference points for the location. Check current driving conditions separately.
If you are looking for a hotel in Zbandaj, you can compare the road location with your own travel plans. The town’s history offers an additional cultural perspective for your decision: you can consider whether you are more interested in church architecture and furnishings or in the settlement’s origins.
Discover more destinations: Vabriga, Ruzici, Tar, Banki, Porec, Kadumi, Vržnaveri, Starići.
For the broader travel overview: Općina Poreč.
