One of these hilltop towns where time has stopped is Oprtalj (Portole is its Italian name).
The drive up winds through pine forests before reaching a plateau at 378 metres from where there are magnificent views of the neighbouring hilltop town of Motovun, which is better known by tourists.
Walking through
Oprtalj's cobble-stoned streets and passing under its ruined stone archways, I try to
imagine what life was like here in the town’s glory days...
When were its glory days? When
it was a hill fort settlement during the Roman period? Or was it in the 16th
century when this was part of the Venetian Republic? Venice has indeed left many marks:
the handsome Venetian loggia at the town’s entrance and a statue of the Lion of
St. Mark, along with many architectural details which hint at its Venetian past.
Inside the loggia we find the Lion of St. Mark. This is where an antiques market takes place on the second Sunday of each month.
The last time I was here was about eight years ago... and I had imagined Orptalj would be in a more advanced state of reconstruction. But its charm is intact and this remains one of my favourite villages in Istria. Our next stop was another central Istrian gem: Završje, which will be the topic of a future post.
Through an archway, the Venetian-style 'loggia'.
There are a few cafés, restaurants and shops here and the village seems to be going through a slow revival, but most of its old houses and buildings are in a neglected state.
The last time I was here was about eight years ago... and I had imagined Orptalj would be in a more advanced state of reconstruction. But its charm is intact and this remains one of my favourite villages in Istria. Our next stop was another central Istrian gem: Završje, which will be the topic of a future post.
I leave you with this image of a boat perched on the edge of the village!
Such a charming place! Except when we had to push the pram up that hill with the wind pushing us backwards :)
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