Markovići: Cycling Route and Building Culture

Markovići has a clear connection to cycling: the “Vižinada” cycling route (101) passes through the village. It is also classified as rural settlement heritage in the field of traditional building culture. In the wider destination of Općina Vižinada, landscapes, additional trails and historic buildings add to the options for your vacation.

Cycling through Markovići

The 24 km “Vižinada” cycling route (101) passes through Markovići and connects with several other cycling routes. One section follows a paved road through the village. This gives you specific information on distance, route and connections to help plan your cycling days. Check current route conditions before setting out.

The wider destination of Općina Vižinada also has cycling routes of different lengths: in Vižinada, a 123 km cycling route follows the renewed Parenzana railway line. Comparing its 123 km with the 24 km route through Markovići helps you distinguish between different cycling plans without combining them into a single route.

Landscapes and trails in Općina Vižinada

Vižinada sits on a hill at the southern edge of the Mirna Valley. From there, views stretch across the surrounding countryside, vineyards and olive groves. The “Trail of Scenic Views” starts at the southern entrance to Vižinada, near the Church of St. John the Baptist. After 3.7 km, it reaches the small religious building of St. Vital, dating from the 12th century, by its cemetery.

Another option is the “SRCE VIŽINADE 504” trail: this 6.9 km hiking route passes through Bajkini, Vranje Selo and Crklada in the southwest of the municipal area. Along the way, visitors can stop by local winemakers and olive growers and sample their products. The two distances describe different planning points: 3.7 km to St. Vital on the scenic trail, and a total distance of 6.9 km for “SRCE VIŽINADE 504”.

The wider destination also offers “Viva Vino”, a 10 km wine and food walk through vineyards, olive groves, fields and woodlands, with five refreshment stations. Check the route and participation details before your trip.

Building culture and events

In the overview of the municipal area of Općina Vižinada, Markovići is listed as rural settlement heritage in the field of traditional building culture; ZPP is named as a proposed measure. The wider destination of Općina Vižinada has further specific examples of architectural history: the Church of St. John the Baptist above the historic centre of Vižinada dates from the 13th century and is one of around ten double-apsed churches in Istria.

On Vižinada’s central square stands a cistern completed in 1782 using local limestone, to a design by the architect Simone Battistella. Cultural events are held there. A lapidarium next to the bell tower contains five Roman inscriptions. The Old Fontik, also called the “Lav” House, is the oldest surviving public secular building in the municipal area and dates from the 15th century.

Religious buildings offer a range of different features, too: the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Božje Polje is a single-nave late Gothic building from the 15th century, with a star-shaped ribbed vault decorated with frescoes. On the feast of Vela Gospa, it remains a pilgrimage site for worshippers from across Istria. In Vižinada, the frescoes in the Church of St. Barnabas depict a Christological cycle, including scenes of the Nativity, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

For a trip focused on culture and food and wine, recurring festival dates can also help with planning. “Verši na šterni”, the festival of Čakavian poetry, has been held regularly since 1993 on the second Saturday in June at the Baroque Battistella cistern. “Slatka Istra” is held every year on 14 August, the eve of Vela Gospa, in the centre of Vižinada. The festival showcases traditional Istrian sweets such as fritula, kroštula, cukerančići, pandešpanj, povetica and pinca, as well as various kinds of dry biscuits. Check current event dates before planning a trip specifically to attend.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your plans

When choosing a holiday apartment, first consider whether you want to focus on the cycling route through Markovići or mainly plan to visit hiking trails, buildings and events in the wider destination of Općina Vižinada. Match the accommodation’s specific location to the places you want to visit. This will help you choose according to the actual priorities of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lašići, Crklada, Filipi, Bajkini, Ferenci, Staniši, Vizinada, Jadruhi.

Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Vižinada.