Pazin
Pazin seems like another world after the gorgeous Istrian coastal towns between Rovinjand Umag, but it’s only 30 km away from the sea. Like the hilltop country of Tuscany, this part of Istria is downright gorgeous with deep valleys, vineyards, soaring hills and switchback roads that make you wish you had an old MG sportscar. Looming out of nowhere is the Castle of Pazin, the largest and the best-preserved medieval fortress in Istria. It shows up in chronicles from as far back as 983. Since then, it has been through war, conquest, destruction and resurrection. It’s even the stuff of legend—Jules Verne used the Pazin Abyss, its cave and the Castle of Pazin in his novel Mathias Sandorf. Today the town even celebrates this famous author by holding “Jules Verne Days”. It’s one of a number of unusual “events”, like truffle festivals, wine and honey tours, that make Central Istria such a wonderful place to discover. Buzet, which bills itself as Croatia’s truffle capital, is nearby and the bus from Pula also stops at Porec and Motovun so it’s easy to go from coast to Pazin and its Castle and in an afternoon!
Tourist Office
Franine I Jurine 14
Pazin, Croatia 52000
Tel: +385 052 622-460
FAX: +385 052 616-886
e-mail: info@istria-central.com
Website: www.istria-central.com
–the county site with all Istrian information and events
Our favorite links
http://www.tzpazin.hr/index_eng.php?stranica=1
–straightforward, but very complete official website in English
http://www.pazinska-jama.com/index_en.php
–a fabulous, quirky look at some of the natural phenomena that make Pazin so cool…..legends, caves, Jules Verne and more!