Pazin (Italian: Pisino, German: Mitterburg) is a town in central Istria above the karst abyss of the Cave (Pazinska jama), into which Pazinčica sinks. It is the center of economic, cultural, educational, sports and entertainment life of central Istria. Since 1992, it has been the administrative seat of the County of Istria (assembly, professional services and some administrative departments), and is the largest city in the county.
Pazin Castle (Kaštel Pazin)
Dominating the town's skyline, Pazin
Castle is Istria's largest and best-preserved medieval fortress,
originating from the 9th-10th century. Built on a strategic cliffside
overlooking the 130-meter-deep Pazin Chasm, it has served variously as a
military stronghold, noble residence, and courthouse throughout
centuries of regional conflicts, including those involving Venice and
local principalities. The castle's architecture reflects ongoing
renovations, with sturdy stone walls, towers, and courtyards that
provide panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the gorge
below.
Today, the castle houses two museums: the Istrian Ethnographic
Museum, which showcases traditional Istrian life through exhibits like
folk costumes, farming implements, a reconstructed old-fashioned
kitchen, and a collection of 15th-century church bells; and the Pazin
Town Museum, displaying artifacts that chronicle the town's history and
nearby areas. Visitors can wander the grounds, explore the interiors,
and learn about Istria's rural heritage. Entry is typically affordable,
and guided tours are available for deeper insights into its medieval
past. Tips: Visit in the morning to avoid crowds, and combine it with a
walk along the chasm's edge for the best photos. The site is accessible
year-round, but check for seasonal events like Jules Verne Days in June,
which celebrate the castle's literary ties.
Pazin Chasm (Pazinska
Jama or Pazin Pit)
The Pazin Chasm is a breathtaking natural gorge,
approximately 91-130 meters deep and carved over millennia by the
Pazinčica River, which flows dramatically into an underground cave
system, forming a natural amphitheater. This geological wonder, located
directly beneath the castle, has long captivated visitors and inspired
Jules Verne, who featured a daring escape through the chasm in Mathias
Sandorf—and it's sometimes linked to elements in Journey to the Center
of the Earth. The site's history ties into local folklore and the town's
defensive strategies, as the steep cliffs provided natural protection.
What to see includes the roaring river descent (especially impressive
after rain), layered rock formations revealing Istria's karst geology,
and scenic viewpoints from the castle or surrounding trails. Activities
abound: hike the well-marked walking paths around the rim for close-up
views, or opt for a speleo adventure (guided cave exploration) to
venture into the underground sections, though this requires proper gear
and reservations. For thrill-seekers, the zip line across the chasm
offers an adrenaline-pumping ride with views of the castle above and the
abyss below—it's one of Europe's longest urban zip lines at over 200
meters. Tips: Wear sturdy shoes for trails, as paths can be slippery;
avoid during heavy rain due to flooding risks. The area is free to
access for basic viewing, but activities like zip-lining cost around
€20-30 and are weather-dependent. In winter, events like Advent in the
Heart of Istria (December) add festive lights to the gorge.
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Church of St. Nicholas
Situated in the town center
opposite the tourist office, the Church of St. Nicholas is a
13th-century landmark (built in 1266) that blends Gothic and Baroque
elements, having been modified over the centuries. Its history reflects
Pazin's religious heritage, with ties to medieval dioceses and local
artistry. The church's tower offers sweeping views of the town and
countryside, while the interior features exquisite 14th-century frescoes
above the altar, depicting the Way of the Cross, Old Testament scenes,
and religious iconography that highlight Istria's artistic traditions.
Visitors can admire the spiritual art, intricate altars, and serene
atmosphere, making it a quiet spot for reflection. No major activities
are hosted here, but it's often included in town walking tours. Tips:
Entry is free, but donations are appreciated; climb the tower for photos
if open (check locally). Combine with a visit to nearby cafes for a
relaxed afternoon.
Other Notable Sights and Nearby Attractions
For more religious art, head 5.6 km west to the Church of St. Mary of
the Rock in Beram, a small village church with stunning medieval
frescoes—contact the local keymaster for access via a marked footpath or
bus from Pazin. Nature lovers should explore nearby waterfalls like
Zarečki Krov (Pazinski Krov), Sopot, or Pazinčica, which offer swimming
spots and hiking in summer. The Jules Verne Path is a themed trail with
interpretive signs linking key sites from the novel, perfect for
literary enthusiasts.
Pazin also serves as a hub for central Istria's
hilltop villages, such as Gračišće (with panoramic views and wine
events), Pićan (ancient Roman ties), or Draguć ("Istrian Hollywood" for
its film locations and frescoes). Adventurous options include the
Adrenalin Park in nearby Kringa or hiking trails like
Grdoselo-Zelengrad. Overall, Pazin rewards those seeking authentic
Istrian experiences away from tourist crowds, with a mix of history,
nature, and adventure. Best visited by car for flexibility, though local
buses connect to nearby sites.
By Plane
The nearest airport is Pula Airport (PUY), about 38 km
away. From there, you can take a bus from Pula city center to Pazin
(around 50-60 minutes, departing several times daily for €5-10), or opt
for a taxi (about 45 minutes, €50-70) or rental car. Other nearby
airports include:
Trieste Airport (TRS) in Italy, 74 km away –
bus or shuttle to Pazin takes 2-3 hours.
Rijeka Airport (RJK), around
80-90 km – similar ground transport options.
Venice Airport (VCE),
128 km – bus connections via Trieste or direct transfers take 4-6 hours.
For international flights, Pula has seasonal routes from Europe;
otherwise, fly into Zagreb (ZAG) or Split (SPU) and connect via bus or
train (see below).
By Train
Pazin has its own train station
with connections via Croatian Railways (HŽ). Direct trains run from Pula
(1 hour, several daily, €3-5). From Rijeka, expect 1-2 hours. From
Zagreb, the journey is about 4-5 hours with a possible bus transfer
segment (e.g., train to Rijeka, bus to Lupoglav, then train to Pazin),
starting at €19. International links are limited but possible from
Slovenia (e.g., Ljubljana via bus/train combo). Check HŽ for timetables,
as services are not frequent.
By Bus
Buses are a reliable and
affordable option, with Pazin Bus Station connecting to major Croatian
cities. Key routes include:
From Zagreb: 3-4 hours, €17-25,
several daily with Arriva or Nomago.
From Rijeka: 50-60 minutes,
€9-11, up to 7 daily.
From Pula: 50-60 minutes, €5-10, 4+ daily.
From Split: 5-7 hours (indirect), €40-50.Book via Omio, Busbud, or
company sites like Arriva.hr or Nomago.hr for real-time availability.
International buses from Italy or Slovenia also stop in Istria.
By Car
Driving offers flexibility, especially for exploring Istria.
Pazin is centrally located on the Istrian Ypsilon highway (A8/A9).
Approximate drives:
From Zagreb: 200 km, 2.5-3 hours via A1 to
Bosiljevo, then A6 to Rijeka tunnel, and A8 south to Pazin.
From
Pula: 50 km, 45 minutes north on A9.
From Rijeka: 60 km, 1 hour via
A8.
From Trieste (Italy): 80 km, 1.5 hours via border crossings and
A8.
Tolls apply on highways (about €10-15 from Zagreb). Use apps like
Waze or Google Maps for real-time directions and traffic. Rent cars at
airports or cities; major roads are well-maintained.
The town of Pazin was first mentioned in 983 as the
so-called Pazin Fortress (lat. Castrum Pisinum). Since the 12th
century, Pazin has been the center of the Pazin principality, over
which the Habsburgs took power in 1374. In 1822, Austria made Pazin
the administrative center of the Istrian district.
The Pazin
region was predominantly Croatian in the 19th century, but power was
held by Italians and Italians. Croats were mostly farmers and
colonists, and Italians and Italians were among merchants,
landowners and various members of the liberal professions. The
columns in Pazin were in a worse position than other columns from
the peninsula, because it was mostly the case that they had neither
a house nor land. Of the 4,400 landowners, seven from the
Italian-Italian ranks had real power. The estates were often sold,
and the lands were especially bought by immigrants from Friuli.
The last decades of the 19th century raised the importance of
the town of Pazin, which is why the Croatian, Italian and Italian
movements moved their center to that town. This was due to the fact
that all parties understood that whoever won in the central part of
Istria, which was mostly inhabited by Croats, would very likely win
in the whole province. Therefore, they focused their political and
economic resources towards Pazin, so the authorities themselves in
the 1880s intended to move the seat of the Istrian Parliament from
Poreč there. Circumstances were such that the Margraviate of Istria
was extremely illiterate, with the exception of Krk and the Kastav
region, all as a consequence of the previous Italian-Italian policy.
Thus, illiterate areas could not even provide quality staff to lead
the national revival, so revivalists were sent from the more
literate parts of the Margraviate, from the Kastav region and from
Krk. The fight was very difficult - for example, Pazin Mayor Ante
Dukić from the Kastav region died of exhaustion. He was replaced by
doctor of law Dinko Trinajstić, who met the conditions for the
candidate: extremely strong health and above-average physical
strength. Trinajstić ruled energetically, interrupting the practice
of humble appearances in front of the Greens (credit-speculative
network), and they were mostly from the Italian-Italian government
that had ruled until then. In that direction, branches of the
populist Istrian loan office were established in order to destroy
the work of the Greens. Thus, the Greens and the Italians could no
longer manipulate the poor Pazin farmers, mostly Croats, during the
dry years. The Croatian writer Vladimir Nazor, who served in the
Pazin grammar school in those years, described the town of Pazin
from the time of Trinajstić's leadership of Pazin as "the heart of
the heart of Istria". Trinajstić led the municipality so well that
he attracted to his side those who had been indecisive or dependent
until then. Having created such a majority, the chief who came after
him, Šime Kurelić from Pićan, had such a large base that he was
mayor for two decades until Italy occupied the area in 1918 and
imprisoned Kurelić.
Thus, in the second half of the 19th
century, Pazin became one of the centers of the Croatian cultural
revival, and the Reading Room, the Croatian Gymnasium and the
Narodni dom were founded. All these institutions were abolished
when, after the First World War, Pazin was occupied in 1918 and then
annexed by Italy. Nevertheless, the revival work bore fruit. The
effects of Italianization have been greatly neutralized and
reversed. Immigrant Italians and Italians, after decades of refusing
to understand historical reality, understood the real circumstances;
dehumanization and Italianization weakened over time, and from 1880
to 1910 the number of people who officially declared themselves as
Italians almost halved.
During the Second World War, after
Italy capitulated, Pazin was occupied by Istrian partisans in
September 1943. In that city, the Provincial NOC for Istria made a
decision uniting Istria with the motherland of Croatia. This
decision was confirmed in 1947 by the Paris Peace Treaty.
After Croatia became independent in 1991, Pazin, although lagging
behind Pula in economic strength, was designated as the seat of the
Istrian County, mainly for historical reasons.