If you are looking for a holiday rental in Knapići, a second question can help you plan your trip: Which discoveries would you like to shape your stay? In the wider destination of Općina Sveti Lovreč, you will find a range of themes, from church art and fortification history to walking and cycling trails.

Church art and town history in Općina Sveti Lovreč

The parish church of St Martin in Sveti Lovreč is a three-aisled basilica with three apses, built in the 11th century. It is the largest Romanesque church in Istria and contains one of the region’s oldest surviving ensembles of frescoes. The Municipal Loggia stands along the church’s southern wall and is another element of the historic architectural ensemble.

The frescoes also reflect different art-historical periods: some date from the 14th century and were created under Italian influence. Restored frescoes can be found in the northern and southern apses. Monumental figures of saints are depicted in the southern apse; Christ, surrounded by archangels, appears in the apse vault. The church also houses Istria’s oldest organ. It was made in 1735 by master craftsman Petar Nakić (Pietro Nacchini) and restored in 2013.

The history of the fortifications adds another perspective on the town’s development to a visit to the church. In the 14th century, the town walls were extended and expanded, when Sveti Lovreč was the seat of the captains. Under Captain-Podestà Giovanni Contarini, the walls were extended eastwards to enclose the Basilica of St Martin. The fortified ensemble includes the Funtanela Tower, a nearby triangular tower and a bell tower that formerly served as a defensive tower. The circular layout of Sveti Lovreč dates back to a prehistoric hillfort on a rise.

Walking trails and regional orientation

For a hike, the Put vode circular trail (Istra Trails No. 720) connects several water sources in the area of the Municipality of Sveti Lovreč. The loop is 11.2 kilometres long. It starts at the restored town spring in the centre of Sveti Lovreč, near Velika vrata, and ends back at the same spring. San Lorenzo II is a second circular hike: it starts and ends in Sveti Lovreč, is 9.9 kilometres long and is rated easy. The route is listed as taking two hours and gaining 145 metres in elevation. This makes it possible to plan using specific time and distance information; at 11.2 kilometres, Put vode is the longer of the two loops. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

A cycling route also passes through Sveti Lovreč: the Staza Lovrečkih kapetana runs from Poreč via Ženodraga, Baderna, Sveti Lovreč, Montižana and St. Bečić, and back to Poreč. If you are also interested in natural water sources, the Puč spring is in Vošteni. It is considered the best-known natural water source in Općina Sveti Lovreč.

For tourist information in Sveti Lovreč, Gallery Placa is an information centre and gallery. It provides information about the tourist offer of Sveti Lovreč and central Istria. If you plan to use the facility, check current visitor and service information in advance.

Discover more destinations: Flengi, Medaki, Heraki, Bralići, Radići, Gradina, Čehići, Selina.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Sveti Lovreč.