Vacation in Motovun

Motovun: The old legend has it that once upon a time giants lived in the valley of the River Mirna. They were so big that watching the towns on the hills above the Mirna river they passed tools and huge stones from hand to hand. Motovun was one of the towns built by giants in that legendary age. When ordinary people came to Istria giants vanished from the face of earth, but in the stories and legends of Vladimir Nazor the character of Veli Jože is linked with the city of Motovun. He was so big and strong that he could shake the bell tower of Motovun with his bare hands. The town lies on a hill dominating the valley of the Mirna river, 277 metres above sea level and today it looks exactly the same as in the Middle Ages, in the 12th and 13th centuries. The longest Istrian stair case with 1052 stairs climbs up to the top of the Motovun hill and its Venetian town square.

Climate: Nearby Motovun there is the 45th parallel crossing Istria so by being placed exactly on half way between the Ecuador and the North Pole, Motovun is situated in the ideal geographical and climatic area of the north hemisphere. The average annual temperature is 14 C? and summer temperature amounts to 24 C?. The sea air coming through the Mirna valley to Motovun brings mild Mediterranean climate. Bora and scirocco usually blow here.