Marcana
Marcana and its fertile green fields, with hills that descend to hidden rocky coves, quiet villages and towns, are still an undiscovered treasure of the eastern coast of Istria. Here, where life has been constantly flourishing for thousands of years, there is a rich blue-green story that is cherished with love and passed on. The local caves hide the secrets of the ancient people which are yet to be discovered and the old quiet places are the perfect setting for an ancient story written in stone and to the rhythm of nature. The legend and documents show that it is precisely here, on the site of present-day Mutvoran,that once stood the ancient Faveria. Faveria was a lost city of the Histri population of which only remains the ruins of the old city walls that are thousands of years old.
More about Marcana
The coast of Marcana is a unique blend of white stone and fragrant greenery. Its beautiful hidden beaches reveal themselves to those who wish to discover true Mediterranean quietness, while the view from the hills covered with underbrush unveils the incredible breathtaking beauty of small green bays crowned with stone, the powerful blue sea and Kvarner’s islands’ charm. In this area you will find the long lost tastes and fragrances of real local cuisine because the dishes prepared here are cooked with love and handed down from our grandmothers, and the ingredients are generously provided by nature. In the local rural households, you will experience the magic of original values and old customs, habits and ways. The territory of Marcana is great for those who love sports because it offers an interesting countryside perfect for biking, trekking, diving and relaxing walks in unspoiled nature.
History
The history of the human presence in the area of Marčana dates back to the Eneolithic Age. In nearby caves, bones, stone artifacts and evidences from the Bronze Age such as prehistoric ruins and the remains of pottery were found. During the Roman rule, the area was densely populated, as testified by the numerous remains of Roman villas, tombs, cisterns, amphorae, ceramics and bronze coins, but even the name Marcana derives from the Roman name Marciana. The area was inhabited in the early Middle Ages, and shared the troubled fate of the other inhabitants of Istria. Marcana was first mentioned in historical records in the 13th century when local leaders signed the oath of fidelity to Venice while Marcana was annexed to Venice in the 14th century. The next few centuries represented difficult times because wars, strikes and various diseases devastated the area. In the late 16th century, after another outbreak of plague, the area was almost deserted, and Marčana along with the surrounding areas was re-settled with refugees, mainly from Greece and Dalmatia. The population lived difficultly off of agriculture, trade and the exploitation of stone because Venice imposed taxes, and because wars were frequent, as were robberies. With the fall of Venice in the late 18th century, the area came under a short French rule, which was soon replaced by the Austrian and later the Italian rule. But shortly thereafter, the area fell again under Austrian rule where it remained until the First World War. The year 1918 brought a new government, that of the Kingdom of Italy, as well as a difficult life to local people because of daily fascist terror. The Second World War brought the German government and the rebellion of the local residents who joined the national liberation movement and finally liberated their homes in 1945. Marcana and the surroundings joined Yugoslavia and remained part of it until 1991, when they became an integral part of the independent Croatian Republic.
Recommendation
The Church of St. Peter and Paul – from the 15th century, with three stone and marble altars, statues and a bell tower from 1846
The Church of St. Anthony of Padua – medieval church extended in late 16th century and consecrated in 1709; with a valuable baroque altar
The Cave of Peresin – about 14 meters deep and 30 meters wide, with a spacious main hall and beautiful rock and crystal structures; from the main hall there are narrow corridors of irregular shape
The Old school – built in 1888, with a clock at the top
Mutvoran – an ancient city rich in history that is still surrounded by walls from the Bronze and Iron Age. It boasts the Romanesque church of St. Mary Magdalena with a beautiful Renaissance façade. In the church there is the altar mensa, an inverted Roman tombstone, then a tabernacle with a Renaissance frame from 1431, a Renaissance wooden retable from 1520 with wooden statues of exquisite craftsmanship, a confessional in the Baroque style, quality woodwork, carvings, a Venetian lion in the Baroque style, the remains of frescos and flooring. All of these things make the church a place with the most valuable sacral inventory in Istria. Mutvoran is composed of a dozen of old stone houses situated on a hill with a beautiful view of the entire region
Loborika – with the church of St. Flora on whose wall aPreromanesque relief of an angel is visible. In the woods near Loborika there are the ruins of an early medieval settlement and of a pre-Romanesque church
Krnica, The Church St. Rocco – from the 17th century, with valuable statues and Pale
Events
Orbanici, Donkey Race – a traditional donkey race with an entertainment and gastronomy program 01.05.
Petrovo, Marcana – a traditional folk festival 29.06.
The Feast of Mary Magdalene, Mutvoran – a traditional feast with a rich program 22.07.
Rokovo, Krnica – a popular street festival 16.08.
Svetica, Rakalj – a traditional folk festival 08.09.
Meetings on the Stone, Rakalj – a traditional event showcasing the best Istrian poets and reciters, held in late September