Motovun & Livade

One more in a series of the small Istrian medieval towns which dominate the Mirna River Valley, Motovun is full of legends, beliefs and myths. Built in the shape of the Acropolis on the top of a steep hill, Motovun carries the name of the Celtic origin – Montona – a town on the mount. Brave ones can climb up to the top using the longest Istrian stairway – 1,052 steps are waiting for you.

  • A small medieval town
  • Motovun bell tower
  • Loggia
  • Town walls
  • Motovun forest
  • Teran wine
  • Truffles
  • Parenzana
  • City tower

There are lots of things that make the Motovun area special. Turbulent past, cultural layers of various rulers, biodiversity, plush vegetation and a rich plant life are just a part of it. Town walls, mystical and inspired by past times, they provide unique views over the Mirna River Valley, as far as the sea by the town of Novigrad.

Once in Motovun, a visit to numerous cultural landmarks is inevitable. The 27 metre high Motovun bell tower dominates the whole panorama of Motovun, already inviting you to visit it at the foot of the Motovun hill. Take a stroll along the town walls and indulge yourselves in the views spreading from them. A sturdy door and a tall tower, erected as early as the 16th century, underneath which there is the main town gate, will take you to the oldest part of the town. In its vicinity is also the loggia, under whose roof sessions were held, important decisions and judgements made, but also looks of those in love exchanged.

Apart from the rich historical and cultural heritage, Motovun is also renowned for the Motovun Film Festival. A several-day film festival under the stars is held at the end of July and the screenings are continually shown between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m. the following day. Evening screenings under the sky of warm summer nights – is there anything else to add?

Proudly telling the story of the fertility of its earth, Motovun prides itself on autochthonous delicacies – truffles, teran wine, olive oil, Kaldir fruit and honey. The small picturesque town of Oprtalj and the hamlet of Livade, which, together with Buzet, proudly carry the title of the centres of truffles, are situated opposite Motovun. In honour of truffles, the festival Truffle Days is organised every year in the autumn, when you can taste Istrian dishes with truffles. Apart from tasting, you can also have a go at the hunt for truffles with experienced Istrian truffle hunters. Do not forget to take your boots!

Should you pay a visit to this small town at least once, you will certainly return one day, as Motovun is a town for pure hedonism!

EXPERIENCE

THE PARENZANA
Today the best known cycling, but also walking, route, Parenzana used to be the main railway link between Poreč on the Istrian coast and Trieste, cutting through the Istrian inland area. The old railway tunnels and overpasses run through untouched places, which certainly will not leave you indifferent. For cycling is an ideal way of discovering the hidden unsurpassable beauty of nature!

VISIT

LOGGIA
Once upon a time a place for making of important decisions and judgements and town councilmen's sessions, today the Motovun loggia is a place of one of the most beautiful sights and the most romantic sunsets. Worth a visit!

BE A PART OF

THE MOTOVUN FILM FESTIVAL
Diverse and innovative, the Motovun Film Festival at the end of July transforms the main square into a place for all lovers of the magic of film art. Screenings which go on throughout the day turn into a special experience in the evening hours, when Motovun becomes a cinema under the stars!

Experience more in Boutique Hotel Vela Vrata!