Motovun is a
medieval town that grew up on the site of an ancient city called Castellieri. It is on a hill
above sea level with houses scattered all over the hill. On the inner walls are several coats-of-arms of different Motovun ruling families and two gravestones of Roman inhabitants (dating from the 1st century). In the 10th and 11th centuries it belonged to the bishop of
Poreč. From 1278 it was taken over by
Venice and surrounded by solid walls which are still intact today, and used as a walkway with unique views over the four corners of Istria. The three parts of the town are connected by a system of internal and external fortifications with towers and city gates containing elements of
Romanesque,
Gothic and
Renaissance styles, built between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is a typical example of Venetian colonial architecture.
Parish Church of St. Stephen The late-Renaissance church of St. Stephen (Sveti Stjepan) was built at the beginning of the 17th century from sketches probably designed by the well-known Renaissance architect
Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). The church contains several works of art: the marble statues of St. Stephen and St. Laurence by
Francesco Bonazzo and the 17th-century painting of the Last Supper over the altar by an unknown Venetian artist. The water cisterns in the square in front of the church date from the 14th and 15th centuries.
The forest of Motovun/Montona The river
Mirna or Quieto flows below the hill and on the other side of the river is the famous Motovun forest, an area of about in the valley of the river Mirna, of which is specially protected. This area differs completely not only from the nearby forests, but also from those of the entire surrounding karst region because of its wildlife, moist soil and prized black and white
truffles (
Tuber magnatum), which grow successfully there. Since this fungus grows underground, it is gathered with the aid of specially trained dogs. The tale is known today throughout Croatia, while the character of Veli Jože is quite correctly linked with the city. ==Demographics==