Želiski: Cycling Routes, Church and Festivals

Želiski brings together routes through the countryside and a church on St. Paul’s Hill, along with recurring events. For navigation, the different routes and their respective themes are particularly interesting: one cycling route is a circuit through varied landscapes, while another route passes through Želiski on foot or by bike.

Cycling and hiking routes around Želiski

The 33-kilometre cycling route 631 Barban starts and ends in Barban. This circuit passes through forests, cultivated fields and hills, as well as along gravel sections. It passes a hill near Želiski, where the Church of St. Paul stands. The views described look west towards hills and east towards the Kvarner Sea. Check the route conditions locally before setting off.

Walk and Taste Barban is a 13-kilometre hiking and cycling route that passes through Želiski. Forests, vineyards, pastures and old villages with stone houses shape the landscape along the way. The route highlights local sights and food from the area around Barban. If you plan to take this route, check its local availability before your trip.

The two routes offer different points of reference: cycling route 631 is a circuit starting and ending in Barban, while Walk and Taste Barban is listed as a 13-kilometre route for walking or cycling that passes through Želiski. The distance information helps you compare the routes without treating them as the same.

The Church of St. Paul

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle stands on St. Paul’s Hill between Želiski and Bateli. It was built in the 15th century to serve the pastoral needs of Croatian families who had immigrated from Dalmatia. Renovations took place towards the end of the 19th century and again towards the end of the 20th century. The hill, the location between the two settlements and the building’s history give a visit to the church a clear historical and local context.

Festivals and events

The open-air family festival #zamislisvojuželju has been held annually since 2023, on 15 August, on a hill in Želiski. It is aimed at children, parents and visitors of all generations. The programme includes telescope observations of the night sky with astronomy clubs, creative workshops for children and film screenings under the stars. Activities may vary from one edition to the next; check the date and programme for the relevant edition before your trip.

Another recurring celebration, Fešta na brdu Sv. Pava, is associated with the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul above Želiski. A report from 2020 noted that the celebration was being held for the 24th time that year. The programme elements described included a five-a-side football tournament and an equestrian demonstration; these activities are not guaranteed at every edition. The connection between the celebration, the hill and the church gives it a different theme from the August programme.

Cultural context in the wider destination of Općina Barban

The wider destination of Općina Barban also offers its own cultural themes. In Barban, the Church of St. James the Apostle contains the only surviving fresco cycle in Istria depicting the legend of St. James. The parish Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop was built in 1701 and fully completed in 1708. Both churches connect Barban with different aspects of regional architectural and art history.

The cultural tradition of Općina Barban also includes Trka na prstenac, which was added to Croatia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Register on 4 April 2016. Barbanski kolač is another regional speciality: this traditional cake from the area around Barban is round with a hole in the middle and was historically associated with weddings. These connections add distinct themes from the wider destination of Općina Barban to the local history of Želiski.

Discover more destinations: Juricev Kal, Barban, Prhati, Šajini, Bicici, Melnica, Petehi, Grandići.

Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Barban.