Medaki: Cycling Routes, Folklore and Culture

When planning your trip, you can weigh up whether longer cycling tours, a circular hiking trail, or historical and folkloric themes should take priority. The routes differ in length, surface and difficulty rating.

Cycling with different route profiles

The “A Postcard from Rovinj” cycling route is an 81.2 km loop through Medaki, connecting Rovinj, Sveti Lovreč, Gradina Vrsar and Kloštar. The A Postcard from Rovinj Trail 212 is rated moderate and is fully paved. The ride is estimated to take about 2.5 to 3 hours. The actual riding time depends on the cyclist and road conditions; the difficulty rating may also change with route conditions. Check conditions before setting out.

San Lorenzo (617) offers a different combination of length and surface: the route starts and ends in Sveti Lovreč, is 33 km long and is rated easy. Of this, 14 km are paved and 19 km are on gravel. The comparison is therefore not just a matter of kilometres; the ratings and surfaces also differ. This lets you match the route profiles described to your planned day of cycling, while keeping their different start and end points in mind.

The Put vode circular hiking trail

The 11.2 km Put vode circular hiking trail (720) connects water sources in the municipality of Općina Sveti Lovreč. In Sveti Lovreč, it starts and ends at the restored town spring in the centre, near Velika vrata; its route heads towards Funtanela Tower. Follow the current trail markers. The information about its length and circular route gives you a clear reference point if you would like to include a hike alongside the cycling routes in your plans.

Culture in Općina Sveti Lovreč

Sveti Lovreč is home to St. Martin’s Church. Its interior is adorned with frescoes dating back to the 11th century. The surviving collection of frescoes is among the oldest in Istria; recently restored frescoes are located in the north and south apses. The church also has the oldest organ in Istria. Petar Nakić (Pietro Nacchini) built it in 1735, and it was restored in 2013.

The fortifications of Sveti Lovreč also form part of its historical setting: they include walls and towers associated with Byzantine fortifications and later Venetian rule. The town walls were extended and expanded in the 14th century, when Sveti Lovreč was the seat of the captains. The fortified ensemble includes Funtanela Tower, a nearby triangular tower and a bell tower that formerly served as a defensive tower. The circular shape of Sveti Lovreč originates from a prehistoric hillfort on the rise.

Folklore connected with Medaki

Grišnjica, a figure in Istrian folklore regarded as the female counterpart of the Krsnik, is associated with Medaki. It adds a distinctive folkloric connection to Medaki alongside the cycling routes and historical heritage of Općina Sveti Lovreč.

Discover more destinations: Flengi, Knapići, Perini, Vošteni, Kruncici, Čehići, Heraki, Radići

Go to the main travel overview: Općina Sveti Lovreč.