You think you know Istria? Think again. This little corner of Croatia is full of hidden quirks, bizarre history, and things that make you go, “Wait… what?” Here are 10 facts about Istria that you probably didn’t know—but definitely should.
1. Istria Was Once Ruled by… Everyone.
Romans, Venetians, Austro-Hungarians, Napoleon, Yugoslavia—basically, if you’ve heard of an empire, they’ve probably ruled Istria at some point. The locals have perfected the art of switching allegiances while still keeping their wine and olive oil production going. That’s diplomacy.
2. It’s Home to the Smallest Town in the World.
Yes, really. The Guinness World Record for the smallest town goes to Hum, a medieval hilltop village in central Istria with only about 30 residents. It has:
✔ A town gate
✔ A church
✔ A few houses
✔ And somehow, two restaurants (because even 30 people need options).
3. Istria’s Roman Amphitheater Is Basically the Baby Brother of the Colosseum.
The Pula Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Unlike Rome’s Colosseum, it still hosts concerts, film festivals, and even gladiator-style reenactments. Because nothing says “welcome to Istria” like watching a guy in a toga pretend to fight for his life.
4. Truffle Hunting Here is Like a National Sport.
Forget gold—Istria’s real treasure is underground. The forests around Motovun and Buzet are full of black and white truffles, which locals dig up with specially trained dogs (and, in the past, pigs).
Every year, the biggest white truffle ever recorded seems to come from Istria, because apparently, even the fungi here are competitive.
5. There’s a Town With a “Wall of Shame” for Bad Mayors.
The town of Vodnjan has a wall where they used to publicly shame corrupt or incompetent mayors. If you messed up as a leader, your name was literally carved into stone so future generations could laugh at your failures. Brutal. Effective. Possibly something more places should adopt.
6. It Has a “Ghost Town” That’s Straight Out of a Horror Movie.
Dvigrad is an abandoned medieval town that was once thriving but got wiped out by plague and pirate attacks (yes, really). Now, its ruins sit eerily silent, making it the perfect place for:
✔ Creepy ghost stories
✔ Instagram photos that make you look adventurous
✔ Questioning why pirates were hanging around medieval Croatia in the first place
7. James Joyce Lived in Pula… and Hated It.
Before becoming one of the most famous writers of the 20th century, James Joyce taught English in Pula. He hated it. Described it as a place full of “barbarians” and “nothing but soldiers and sailors.”
Apparently, he didn’t try the wine.
8. Istrian Winemakers Once Declared War on France.
In 1986, a group of Istrian winemakers got so fed up with French wine snobs refusing to recognize Malvazija and Teran wines that they sent an official declaration of war to France.
France ignored them. Istria, however, continued making wine that people now travel thousands of miles to drink.
9. It Has a Beach That Disappears Every Year.
Bijeca Beach in Medulin is famous for its shifting sands—every winter, it literally disappears under the sea, only to return in summer. Locals treat this like normal. Scientists probably have a logical explanation. But it remains one of the weirdest things about Istria’s coastline.
10. Istria Was Supposed to Be a Part of Italy. Then It Wasn’t.
After World War I, Italy took over Istria. But after World War II, Tito took it back for Yugoslavia. The result? A place that feels half Italian, half Croatian, and entirely unique. You’ll hear Italian spoken, see Venetian architecture, and yet… it’s completely, undeniably Istrian.
Final Thought – Istria is Basically Europe’s Best-Kept Secret.
Where else can you find:
A Roman amphitheater that still hosts concerts
A town so small it fits in your backyard
Ghost villages, pirate stories, and wine wars
And some of the best food in the world?
Istria is full of surprises, and now that you know these 10 bizarre facts, you’ve got the perfect excuse to visit.
Which one surprised you the most? Let me know, and if you’re planning a trip, book your stay at Petite Miranda before someone else does.
