Vodnjan
A town of olive oil and what is said to be the largest collection of desiccated saints' bodies in Europe.
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The parish church of St Blaise in Vodnjan carries the tallest bell tower in Istria at about 62 metres, and behind its altar is what the town is known for: the bodies of several saints, brought here from Venice at the start of the nineteenth century, which have not decomposed. The best preserved is that of Nicolosa Bursa, and they are displayed with a large collection of relics. The church treats them as devotional objects rather than curiosities, and photography is restricted. The rest of the town is Istrian stone streets and an olive oil culture strong enough that Vodnjan producers win international awards year after year.
What you actually see
- Undecomposed bodies of saints - brought from Venice in the early 1800s.
- The tallest bell tower in Istria - about 62 metres.
- A large relic collection - displayed with the bodies.
- Award-winning olive oil - the town's other reputation.
When to go
May to October; the chapel keeps limited hours. Half a day.
Honest expectations
The mummies are shown in a religious setting with rules about photography and behaviour, and some visitors find them distressing. Opening hours are short and vary. Oil tastings need arranging with individual producers.
Nearby
Pula is south; Bale and the Istrian interior are north.
What to pack for Vodnjan
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.