Dubrova Sculpture Park gives the Municipality of Sveta Nedelja a distinctive cultural touch: since 1970, the International Sculpture Symposium has enriched the collection of sculptures made from Istrian stone year after year. The Bijela cesta, or “White Road,” runs through the park as a walking trail with 16 sections, each 25 metres long. The Dolac Amphitheatre is also part of the park’s cultural offering. It serves as a venue for art performances, concerts, theatre and other events; the programme may change.
Admission to the sculpture park is free. Organised group tours are available by prior arrangement. Check the latest access arrangements and event dates before your visit.
Trails through the landscape and local history
The Šumberske Dine walking trail is 7.3 kilometres long and connects natural features, local family businesses and unspoilt nature. In the heart of the municipality, it passes through a distinctive area of marl dunes. The trail therefore takes in both the landscape and local businesses. It is a specific option for anyone who wants to explore Sveta Nedelja on foot; check trail conditions locally before setting off.
Cycling routes also explore the municipality. Three cycling routes can be explored in Sveta Nedelja, connecting natural and cultural heritage with local food and wine offerings. Two are described as circular routes: Route 441, “Staza Plemića i Kalića,” runs from Nedešćina via Jurazini, Eržišće, Blaškovići, Radovići, Šumber and Grašići, returning to Nedešćina. Route 442, “Tragom rudara i kamenih skulptura,” runs from Nedešćina via Štrmac, Vinež, Tomažići, Cere and Santalezi, returning to the starting point. In both cases, Nedešćina is the starting and return point; the routes differ in the sequence of places they pass through.
Other walking trails explore different themes. The Kalića i Bukalete trail passes through Istrian wine country and picturesque vineyards, linking several ponds that are important for freshwater habitats with traditional Istrian cuisine. Boksitna pruga, by contrast, follows the route of a former bauxite railway that was used during the mining era in Labinština. Its name refers to this historical connection. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them locally before setting out.
The municipal landscape and local cuisine
Sveta Nedelja lies on a high plateau above the Raša River in the hinterland of Labin, surrounded by the Raša River gorge. This brings together several of the perspectives described in the municipality: trails through the landscape, circular routes between places, and cultural traces dating back to the mining era.
At Farma Drijade, visitors can encounter various animals. Visits to the farm must be arranged in advance; it is best to confirm the arrangements beforehand. Agroturizam Cerovac in Eržišće, within the municipality, offers a culinary complement. Traditional Istrian dishes are served there, including chicken šugo and beef šugo with seasonal vegetables. Here too, it is advisable to confirm the arrangements before travelling.
Tomažići restaurant in the municipality offers food and drinks, rooms with breakfast, and a wine bar. As restaurant services may change, ask about the current offerings before your visit. This information adds to the picture of local gastronomy without overshadowing the trails and cultural sites as reasons to visit in their own right.
A municipal day with historical significance
The Municipality of Sveta Nedelja celebrates its municipal day on 16 October, under the local name “na šesnajs otobra.” Dates and programme may change. Historically, 16 October in Nedešćina was also the day of a widely known livestock fair. Today’s municipal day and the memory of the livestock fair give the date a local connection, without implying that a fair is held there today.
Discover more places: Strmac, Nedescina, Sumber, Mali Golji, Mali Turini, Paradiz, Zupanici, Vrecari, Jurazini, Markoci.
For the broader travel overview: Istria County.
