Kraj Drage: Cycling and Culture Nearby

Cycling route 403 Liburnia runs through Kraj Drage and offers a specific reference point for travel planning. The route connects the village with other sections and destinations in the surrounding area.

Cycling route 403 Liburnia

The 71-kilometre loop runs from Raša via Čepić, Kršan and Martinski back to Raša. From Kraj Drage, the cycling route runs via Zulijani, Županići and Martinski to Snašići; it also passes through Barbići and along a fire road to the Liburna Nature Reserve. This connects the route through the village with a longer loop and other sections through the region.

Castles and scenery nearby

Kršan, a fortified settlement in the upper part of the Čepić Field, is located near Kraj Drage. Its ruins can be explored on foot. Kožljak Castle is reached by steps carved into the bedrock. It has walls and two semicircular towers; below the castle is the Romanesque Church of St. Hadrian, and the prison has also been preserved. The castle stands beside the old road that connected ancient Histria with Liburnia.

The Liburna Nature Reserve protects native livestock breeds and is home to donkeys. The reserve also includes an ethnographic collection of old tools. Nearby, visitors can also see the entrance to the tunnel through which the former Lake Čepić was drained, turning the area into fertile farmland.

Art and events

Dubrova Sculpture Park is nearby. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and admission is free; check these details before your visit. The Dolac Amphitheatre in the park hosts art performances, concerts, theatre and other events. As the programme may change, it is advisable to check specific dates in advance.

In the wider destination of Općina Sveta Nedelja, the International Sculpture Symposium has added to the collection of sculptures made from Istrian stone year after year since 1970. The Bijela cesta in the sculpture park is a walking path with 16 sections, each 25 metres long.

Trails in Općina Sveta Nedelja

The municipality of Sveta Nedelja lies on a plateau 250 to 300 metres above sea level in the hinterland of Labin, stretching from the Raša River towards the sea. Rabac is about ten kilometres away. The hiking trails also vary in length and scenery: the Šumberske Dine walking trail is 7.3 kilometres long and links natural features, local family-run businesses and unspoilt nature. It runs through an area of marl dunes; the Šumberske Dine are marl formations created by erosion.

Hiking trail 861 is ten kilometres long and connects vineyards, freshwater ponds and traditional Istrian cuisine. Kalić Dužica, one of the few remaining freshwater habitats, is located along the trail. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in the landscapes and cultural features described. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Churches and Istrian cuisine

Općina Sveta Nedelja is home to several churches and chapels with different architectural histories. The parish church of Saints John and Paul is on the edge of Šumber, above the Raša Gorge. It was built in 1679; two side chapels were added in 1705. The Gothic Chapel of St. Quirinus is located in the Šumber cemetery. It was Baroque in style in the 18th century and is in good condition. The Church of Our Lady of Dren also stands near the cemetery. It was extensively restored in the 18th and 19th centuries and is also in good condition.

The region’s cuisine also comes with visitor experiences: the Giovanna Allegra family farm welcomes visitors and serves traditional Istrian dishes. In Eržišće, Agroturizam Cerovac offers, among other dishes, chicken šugo and beef šugo with seasonal vegetables. For both establishments, it is advisable to confirm visiting arrangements before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Santalezi, Veli Turini, Veli Golji, Ružići, Frančići, Sveta Nedelja, Rakitje, Martinski

View the full travel guide: Općina Sveta Nedelja.