Zajci and nearby Sopot Waterfall

When searching for hotels in Zajci, two excursion highlights stand out: nearby Sopot Waterfall and historic sites in the wider destination of Općina Pićan. The waterfall offers a connection to nature and hiking, while Pićan adds architectural history, churches and viewpoints. This helps you decide whether the waterfall or the municipality’s cultural history should play a bigger role in your stay.

Sopot Waterfall and the surrounding trails

Sopot Waterfall is near Zajci, is about 25 metres high and forms a turquoise lake. Two viewpoints overlook the waterfall, and there are picnic seating areas by the water. The descent is steep and assisted by ropes. The area is connected to the trails of Saint Roch and Saint Simon.

Water flow depends on the season: during dry summer months, the waterfall may have no water or may dry up completely. If the waterfall itself is your main excursion destination, take this seasonal limitation into account when planning.

To reach the waterfall area, you can take the road from Pazin to Labin: turn off at Zajci and follow the signs towards Jakomići and Švići. The drive continues from Floričići. Road conditions and signage may change; check the current directions before setting off.

Cultural heritage and landscape in the wider destination of Općina Pićan

Općina Pićan is in central Istria, in the Labinština area. It covers 51 square kilometres and is surrounded by fields and vineyards. The historic town of Pićan is the seat of the municipality and lies on a prominent limestone hill west of Čepićko polje.

Pićan’s monumental town gate dates from the 14th century; it was restored in 1613 for Bishop Antonio Zara. The white limestone bell tower was built in 1872 and is 48 metres high. At the foot of the tower, a historic stone measure used to measure the subjects’ dues still remains.

The Church of the Annunciation received its present exterior form through the renovation of 1753; its interior was given a Baroque style under Bishop Piccardia. The single-nave Romanesque Church of Saint Michael dates from the 13th century and stands on a neighbouring hill north of central Pićan. It features wall paintings from the first half of the 15th century. The Church of Saint Roch was founded during a major plague epidemic; Bishop Gašpar Bobek laid its foundation stone.

Matko Brajša Rašan’s birthplace stands opposite Pićan’s parish church. In 1912, Rašan composed the present official Istrian anthem, “Krasna zemljo,” to a text by Ivan Cukon. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, erected in 1714, stands in the park in front of the entrance to Pićan. These sites add musical history and public art to the area’s architectural history.

The viewpoints offer different perspectives, too. Franz Ferdinand provides a view of the hilly landscape of central Istria. St. Helena is at the other end of the historic settlement of Pićan and is named after a church that once stood there. At the natural viewpoint by the Church of Saint Michael, the stone sculpture “The Family” by Nane Zavagno, dating from 1999, adds another feature. The landscape, historic setting and artwork each provide a different point of interest.

Intangible culture is another cultural highlight. CENKI—the Centre for the Intangible Culture of Istria, part of the Ethnographic Museum of Istria—was established in Pićan in 2011. It is dedicated to researching, documenting, preserving and presenting Istria’s intangible culture. This includes examining how knowledge and practices continue in rural and urban settings.

The landscape of Općina Pićan also includes the protected area between Gračišće and Pićan. It covers 570 hectares and has unusual geological features.

Another hiking option in the wider destination of Općina Pićan starts in Pićan: the Saint Roch Trail 702 passes through the forest to the spring of Saint Nicephorus and also leads to Sopot Waterfall.

Discover more destinations: Pican, Sveta Katarina, Grobnik, Krbune.

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Pićan.