The “Vižinada” cycling route (101) passes through Markovići; the village is also listed as rural settlement heritage in the field of traditional architecture. Together, the cycling route and architectural heritage offer two different points of reference when choosing a place to stay. The wider destination of Općina Vižinada also offers landscape, historic buildings and events as further points of interest.

Cycling through Markovići

The “Vižinada” cycling route (101) is 24 km long and connected to several other cycling routes. The 24 km refers to the length of the entire route. One section runs along a paved road through Markovići. This means the overall route length and the information about the surface in the village can be considered separately when planning: the paved road is described for one section, not for the entire cycling route. Check current route conditions before setting out.

The route’s connection to several other cycling routes gives it a regional link, while its passage through Markovići establishes its specific connection to the village. When planning the ride, you can therefore take both the overall length and the local section into account. This should not be confused with a different route length or an estimated riding time for this section.

Rural settlement heritage

In the overview of the municipal area of Vižinada-Visinada, Markovići is listed as rural settlement heritage in the field of traditional architecture. The plan identifies ZPP as a proposed measure. This provides a cultural and historical context for choosing the village, while the cycling route offers a specific activity to enjoy.

The wider destination of Općina Vižinada

Vižinada is situated on a hill on the southern edge of the Mirna Valley. From there, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, vineyards and olive groves. A stone relief of the Lion of St. Mark, dating from the 15th century, has been preserved in the central square. A cistern also stands there; it was completed in 1782 to a design by the Rovinj-born architect Simone Battistella and built from local limestone. The lapidarium next to Vižinada’s bell tower contains five Roman inscriptions.

The churches also reveal different aspects of the region’s architectural history. The Church of St. John the Baptist, above the historic centre of Vižinada, was built in the 13th century as one of around ten double-apse churches in Istria. The Church of St. Barnabas stands in the village centre. Its frescoes were discovered when the building was used to store props during filming of the war film “Kelley’s Heroes.” They depict a Christological cycle of images, with scenes ranging from the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Trails and cultural events in Općina Vižinada

For a walk, “The Trail of Scenic Views” starts near the Church of St. John the Baptist at the southern entrance to Vižinada. After 3.7 km, the scenic trail reaches the small 12th-century Church of St. Vital, near its cemetery. This makes it possible to distinguish between two different kinds of trails and their lengths: the 24 km cycling route through Markovići and this 3.7 km scenic trail in the wider destination of Općina Vižinada.

Festivals also add a cultural dimension to the calendar. The Čakavian poetry festival “Verši na šterni” has been held regularly since 1993 on the second Saturday in June, at the Baroque Battistella cistern in Vižinada. “Slatka Istra” takes place every year on 14 August, the eve of the Vela Gospa feast, in the centre of Vižinada. Traditional Istrian sweets are presented, including Fritula, Kroštula, Cukerančići, Pandešpanj, Povetica and Pinca, as well as several kinds of dry biscuits. Check the dates before travelling if you would like to combine your visit with an event.

For the wider travel guide: Općina Vižinada.