Brtonigla

Brtonigla became the feud of the Acquilea patriarchies in 11 C and in 13 C it became the ownership of the feudal nobilities of Momjan. From 14 C till the end of 18 C Brtonigla was under the state protection by Venice. In after years this region have been in continuos sway of the French, the Austrians and the Italians as well. After the Second World War Brtonigla as a part of so-called Zone B came under the administrative power of the Free Territory of Trieste, and in 1954 passed to Yugoslavia. Brtonigla today is an integral part of the Republic of Croatia. In the very center of Brtonigla the parish church of Sv. Zenon was erected in 1862 on the remains of the 15 C church with detached of 36 meters campanile erected in 1491. There are the baroque altars on each side of large nave. This altar of Blažena Djevica Marija (The Virgin Mary) 17 C with its statue of Madonna and Infant carved in wood is distinguished one. The fant is of the same century and the crypts are of the 17 C . There are nine churches and chapels in Brtonigla and Nova Vas. The church of Gospa Lurdska in Radini and the church of Sv. Josip Radnik in Fiorini date from 20 C. Furthermore, three of them are located in Brtonigla: the parish church of Sv. Zenon, the chapel of Sv. Rok which is of rectangular structure with sami-circular apse and with wooden altar contains the statues of Virgin Mary and the Saints and was erected in the place of an older chapel dated from 14 C. The last one of the group of these three churches is the chapel of Svih Svetih renovated in 19 C with its crypts dated from 1567. The late-baroque parish church of Sv. Mihovil dates from 16 C and was renovated in 1822 and 1870. The mentioned church is located in Nova Vas. The Pavići village near by, surrounded by rich greenery, there is the ancient chapel of Sv. Lovro. The Gothic chapel of Sv. Mihovil is situated in the local grave-yard of Nova Vas not far from the Serbani village with wonderful view of the River Mirna. Another Gothic style chapel of Gospa Nogaredska and the last one counted in this area is located in the local cemetery of Brtonigla. In the neighborhood of Brtonigla there are smaller villages: Fernetići, Fiorini, Grobice, Karigador, Katunari, Katunari Valle, Kovri, Kršin, Kras, Lukoni, Marinčići, Pećine, Punta Mala i Velika, Radini, Stancija Drušković, Škrinjari, Turini, Valentići… where hard-working people live.

The well-known slogan of Brtonigla is: SMALL PLACE OF GREAT DISCOVERIES that really means visitors of Brtonigla have real opportunity to see many things of their interest in this small and picturesque county, as for instance they can admire an unforgettable landscape, beauty of Nature, discover historical traces and centennial culture, can walk numerous pathways those lead to new scenarios and have new experiences as well. Brtonigla, just as other places in Istria, has a very interesting history. The settlement was erected on a picturesque hill on the place of the former remains of the ancient castle. After Roman conquest fortifications became towns and then feudal castles as well. To this very day this area rich in architectural remains of numerous castles, prehistoric settlements from the Bronce Age is proclaimed the Ancient Monuments. For the first time Brtonigla was mentioned in the old manuscript od 1234 under name of Ortoneglo, Roman Hortus Niger (Black Gardens) probably after its black and rich soil. It seemed that since 9 C this area was at long last at peace, but its prosperity was first disturbed by wars, diseases and conquests.