Barban

Barban is a picturesque small Istrian village located on a beautiful plateau that separates the town of Labin from the area of ​​Pula. Throughout history, Barban has had a strategic position dominating the high terrain and controlling the valley and bridge over the Raša River. The village slowly developed into a fortified castle with round and square towers, solid defensive walls and large and small city gates. In the 16th century, it was bought from the Counts of Pazin by a rich Venetian noble family called Loredans, whose members, although temporarily living in Barban, demolished it and built a magnificent palace and parish church of St. Nicholas. The most famous historical figure of Barban is Canon Pietro Stancovich, the author of the book "Biographies of prominent Istrians" in which he immortalized as many as 478 leading Istrian personalities. Today, Barban is known for the traditional knight game Ring Race (Ring Race), a festival of wine and figs, which attracts more and more visitors every year.

№435 in Villages and settlements of Croatia