Motovun

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Motovun is one of the best preserved Istrian hill medieval towns. It is located at the south side of Mirna River Valley about twenty kilometers from Buje (another Istrian town) and offers 360 degrees panoramic view of Istrian valleys all the way to Adriatic Sea. The hill at which Motovun is built has height of about 300 meters.

Motovun is walled town too. It’s walls were built in 13th and 14th century and are still well preserved. Architecturally, the town is very cute place to see – there are several Romanesque and Gothic houses in the very centre of the place as well as system of fortifications with walls, towers and gates, built in the period between the 14th and the 17th centuries. A bell tower in the Gothic and Romanesque style is situated on the top of the hill at the Motovun’s main square. Next to it is Renaissance castle with add-ons from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The parish church of Sveti Stipan, built in 17th century has features of the late Renaissance architecture, with it’s paintings and sculptures attributed to well known artists.Contemporary art made by various artists that live and work in the town, is displayed at Motovun Art Gallery.

Motovun Photos:

Motovun Film Festival : The town is well known for it’s popular Motovun Film Festival. The festival is established in 1999 and since then it become one of the most popular places to be for five days in late July every year. The festival promotes independent films and it is estimated that festival is visited by 50000 people. Films are shown at open with large screen placed at Motovun’s main square.

Arrival and Departure from Motovun : Motovun has two main roads and traffic in the town itself is abolished. There is a large parking lot at the bottom of the Motovun hill to park car if one arrives ther with it. There is a regular bus service to Motovun that runs from Pazin few times a day (more frequent in summer than in winter). The journey takes about 45 minutes. Another bus runs from Pula and Buzet to Motovun couple times a day.Accommodation in Motovun:Motovun has it’s own hotel called “Hotel Kastel” that is very popular place to stay. Hotel Kastel is small family run place located at the very top of Motovun hill, which is actually converted medieval palace. It has 28 3-starr rooms, most of them with views or balconies. Their in-house restaurant is well known for it’s good food and wines far beyond Motovun and Istria.Booking of Hotels in Motovun:

• Hotel Kastel
  The family-run Hotel Kastel is beautifully set at the very top of a hill in a reconstructed medieval palace in the centre of Motovun. It features a spa area with an indoor pool. Prices from €52.60 – Number of rooms: 28 – Check Hotel Kastel, availability
• House of Gold
  Situated in Motovun in Istria, House of Gold is a traditional istrian stone house with wooden floors, approximately 20 km away from the Adriatic Sea. It features en-suite rooms with work desks, wooden floors and free Wi-Fi. Prices from €35.00 – Number of rooms: 3 – Check House of Gold, availability

More links @ Tourist Board website : www.tz-motovun.hr