Oprtalj: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Oprtalj is situated on a hilltop plateau above the Mirna River, opposite Motovun. From here, the view stretches across Istria to the western coast. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Oprtalj is planning their stay with this town as the destination.

History and architectural heritage

In the 15th century, Oprtalj was a fortress defending the Venetian border in Istria. The loggia, built in the 16th century, now houses a lapidarium with Roman, medieval and stone fragments from later periods. From the loggia, the view extends as far as the sea. The preserved town gate is the only one of the three gates within the town walls and was reconstructed in 1756.

The parish church of Saint George in the centre of Oprtalj was built in 1526 and contains valuable altars and paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Church of Saint Roch at the southern entrance to Oprtalj was built in the 16th century and contains frescoes depicting saints, painted by Anthony of Padua. Below Oprtalj stands the Church of Saint Mary, built in the 15th century, with an Annunciation fresco from 1471 by Klerigin of Koper.

Paths and routes

In Croatian Istria, the Parenzana is used and promoted as a hiking and cycling route and passes through Oprtalj. The 19.4-kilometre Route 263 Oprtalj–Čepić begins near Oprtalj, has a moderate level of difficulty and leads through light woodland, fields, grassland and green forest. The former Oprtalj-Portole railway station is connected to Oprtalj by a steep path that takes about 40 minutes on foot.

Route 261 Toplice–Oprtalj–Toplice reaches Oprtalj via a forest path through an impressive gorge. Cycling Route 4, “Oprtalj and the authentic flavours of rural Istria”, also runs through Oprtalj between Sv. Lucija and Martinčići.

Culinary delights and festival culture

At Kestenijada, visitors can sample chestnut products: honey, rakija, cakes, bread, pasta, as well as boiled or fire-roasted chestnuts. The programme includes exhibitions and talks about chestnuts, as well as music and activities for children.

Other places: Cepic, Žnjidarići, Zrenj, Gradinje, Livade, Bencani.

To the higher-level travel overview: Općina Oprtalj.