Vodnjan - - Istria The town of Vodnjan was once a large urban center so that nowadays it is most interesting as a cultural and tourist destination.
The old part of town has preserved many Gotic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings and palaces. The most interesting is the Bettica family Gothic palace, the popular 'Kaštel' built around 1300 which today houses a museum. One of the town’s highlights is the Parish Church of St. Blaise with its 63 meters high bell tower being the tallest in Istria. The church also keeps mummified bodies of saints and a collection of reliquaries.
The neighboring village Barbariga is known for its remains of the Roman villa rustica with elaborate mosaics and also remains of an oil production structure. Vodnjan is even nowadays known for its fine olive oil.