Žminj ( it, Gimino) is a small town in

Istria Istria ( ; Croatian language, Croatian and Slovene language, Slovene: ; ist, Eîstria; Istro-Romanian language, Istro-Romanian, Italian language, Italian and Venetian language, Venetian: ; formerly in Latin and in Ancient Greek) is the larges ...

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

, 15 km south of

Pazin Pazin ( it, Pisino, german: Mitterburg) is a town in western Croatia, the administrative seat of Istria County. It is known for the medieval Pazin Castle, the former residence of the Istrian margraves. Geography The town had a population of 8,6 ...

. It has a population of 3,483, and was first mentioned in 1177 as a parish of the

Poreč Poreč (; it, Parenzo; la, Parens or ; grc, Πάρενθος, Párenthos) is a town and municipality on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, in Istria County, west Croatia. Its major landmark is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, whic ...

diocese. The town is located on a limestone hill between the Lim valley and the Raša valley, 355 meters above sea level. Its economy is based on farming and livestock breeding. Žminj is located at the intersection of regional roads to

Kanfanar Kanfanar ( it, Canfanaro) is a municipality in Istria, Croatia. Kanfanar lies at the interchange of the Istrian Y motorway A8 and A9, as well as on the Divača – Pula railway, and was formerly the junction of a branchline to Rovinj. Settleme ...

Svetvinčenat Svetvinčenat ( it, Sanvincenti, Chakavian language, Chakavian: ''Savičenta,'' or ''Savicjenta'') is a village and municipality in the south of the central part of Istria, Croatia, about 16 km north of Vodnjan; elevation 250 m. Description ...

and

Labin Labin (Italian/Istriot: Albona) is a town in Istria, west Croatia, with a town population of 5,806 (2021) and 10,424 in the greater municipality (which also includes the small towns of Rabac and Vinež, as well as a number of smaller villages). Hi ...

. This part of Istria has a number of tourist attractions, landscapes and the remnants of cultural heritage from all ages (such as a tower Citadel in the old town). Exquisite specialities of Istrian cuisine: "

maneštra Maneštra (from Italian ''minestra'', "soup"; Slovene: ''mineštra'', regionally also ''pašta fižol'') is a vegetable stew from Istria and made with spring corn, which is popular in the whole of the northern Adriatic seaboard. It is served ...

" (minestra), sausages with cabbage, venison with " fuži" (a kind of pasta), "supa" (crisp bread in red wine, with olive-oil and pepper) and the famous wines, teran and

malmsey Malvasia (, also known as Malvazia) is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world. I ...

. Žminj and its surroundings are used hiking and cycling tours, as well as for

agritourism Agritourism or agrotourism involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Types A 2018 article published in the ''Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development'' classified a ...

, which developed in many of the surrounding villages. Žminj is the traditional host of the Bartulja festival. Held at the end of August, this festival is dedicated to

St. Bartholomew Bartholomew (Aramaic: ; grc, Βαρθολομαῖος, translit=Bartholomaîos; la, Bartholomaeus; arm, Բարթողիմէոս; cop, ⲃⲁⲣⲑⲟⲗⲟⲙⲉⲟⲥ; he, בר-תולמי, translit=bar-Tôlmay; ar, بَرثُولَماو� ...

, patron of Žminj (in the church of St. Bartholomew). Other traditional events are the Chakavian Assembly, a contest of young poets and reciters of poetry in the

Chakavian dialect Chakavian or Čakavian (, , , sh-Latn, čakavski proper name: or own name: ''čokovski, čakavski, čekavski'') is a South Slavic regiolect or language spoken primarily by Croats along the Adriatic coast, in the historical regions of Dalmat ...

(in June) and the Harmonica Wedding, a competition in accordion-playing (in July). Žminj is also known for its agricultural fair which takes place every second Wednesday in the month.

Notable people

References

External links