In August 2025, I set off from Zagreb at six in the morning for a one-day road trip through Istria. It was an early start, but with a packed itinerary ahead of me, the excitement made it easy to get going. My plan was to visit a mix of small historic towns and ruins, each with its own story, and capture them through my lens.
The first destination of the day was Boljun, a quiet hilltop settlement overlooking the Boljunčica valley and the Učka mountain range. With its stone houses and remains of medieval walls, the town has an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back several centuries. Photographing Boljun was all about the details and the views that stretch far across Istria.
From there I drove down toward Vodnjan, a town with a strong Venetian influence and a medieval layout that hasn’t changed much over time. The narrow streets, Gothic windows, and Renaissance portals gave me plenty of subjects to photograph.
My third stop was Dvigrad, a place I had already photographed before. On my first visit the sky was cloudy and I wasn’t happy with the results, so I knew I had to return. This time, with better light, the ruins of the medieval town came to life in front of my camera. Walking among the crumbling walls, towers, and the remains of St. Sophia’s Basilica gave me the images I had hoped for.
Next, I headed to Sveti Lovreč, one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Istria. Encircled by Venetian walls and featuring a central square with a loggia, the town carries a strong sense of its military past. I took my time wandering through the streets, photographing the old churches and fragments of frescoes that still remain.
The final stop before driving back to Zagreb was Novigrad. Built on a small peninsula, this coastal town carries traces of many different rulers — Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Austrian. Photographing the old town as the light began to fade was the perfect way to wrap up a long day of exploring.
Looking back, it was a packed trip but worth every stop. Each town had its own identity, and together they made the day a journey through Istria’s layered history.
Find more about my explorations and travels around Croatia on the Croatia Captured website.
