On the weekend of February 15th and 16th, we set off for Istria, more precisely, for Pula, our first stop.
Before I get into what amazed us in Pula, I must mention the beginning of our trip and the wonderful group we travelled with from Zagreb. The “bus crew” was so incredible that the journey seemed to pass instantly. Laughter, conversations, prayers, and getting to know each other felt so spontaneous and beautiful.
Day 1: Exploring Pula and the hidden gems of Istria
Upon arrival in Pula, we were greeted by our guide, Neno, who had rightfully earned the title of the most entertaining guide. We explored the best of Pula, starting with the impressive Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Today, it hosts concerts by world-famous musicians, and it is one of the main reasons people visit Pula. After that, we strolled through the city’s stone streets, passing through the Hercules Gate, admiring the mighty Arch of the Sergii, and marvelling at the magnificent Temple of Augustus. After the tour, we had a short coffee break, and since the day was sunny, we enjoyed every moment soaking up the warmth.
After Pula, we headed to a truly special place that left a lasting impression on us: the Brist Olive estate, where, in the stunning surroundings of the olive groves, Lena, the owner, introduced us to the story of passion and dedication behind the production of extra virgin olive oil. As we walked through the groves, listening to her stories, we were captivated by her energy, expertise, and incredible spirit. And as the cherry on top, at the end of the grove stood a small chapel. At that moment, we realized what made this place so magical – it was protected and cherished. We then proceeded to a tasting of their exceptional oils, where we experienced the true essence of Istria – a perfect blend of tradition, knowledge, and love for the land. We enjoyed the tasting so much that many of us bought this exquisite oil for ourselves and as gifts.
We ended our first day in the spiritual ambience of the Pauline Monastery in Sveti Petar u Šumi, where we spent the night. I had not felt such peace and tranquillity in a long time. We joined the church service as soon as we arrived, participating in a prayer program. Father Mate Kolak led a beautiful Mass and adoration – an experience worth admiring. We ended the evening with a shared dinner and fellowship, a perfect opportunity to exchange impressions and experiences.
Day 2: Pilgrimage to Saint Fosca – A spiritual and cultural experience
After waking up early and having breakfast, we started the second day of our Istrian ‘Stay with Martha’ tour. We first visited the parish church of Saint Blaise in Vodnjan, where we set off on our pilgrimage to Saint Fosca’s Basilica.
The pilgrimage itself was an extraordinary experience and one of the highlights of this journey. We felt a profound spiritual connection by walking together for 8 kilometres, praying the rosary and the Stations of the Cross. The walk was filled with songs, and the beautiful sunny day accompanied us as if God was watching over us the entire way. We saw many people preparing for the celebration when we arrived at the church.
Upon reaching the basilica, we joined the solemn Mass with the local community. The service was beautiful and enriched by a moving sermon that uplifted everyone’s spirit.
After Mass, we explored the various stands, conversed with the locals, and enjoyed a traditional Istrian lunch lovingly prepared by the community. Following this delightful gathering, we headed to the “Three Kažuni”, stone huts that symbolize Istria’s history and craftsmanship in dry-stone buildings. Their simple yet impressive beauty left us speechless.
To conclude our journey, we returned to Vodnjan and visited the Church of Saint Blaise, which is not only the tallest church in Istria but also houses one of the most significant collections of relics in Europe. There, we were welcomed by Miroslav, a gracious gentleman who acted as a professional conductor, guiding us through the church and the Museum of Sacred Art (which holds over 300 relics of saints) and sharing fascinating and almost unbelievable stories about the incorrupt bodies of saints preserved behind the main altar. It’s an experience that is hard to describe; you must see it yourself.
A Journey community, and unforgettable memories
At the end of this journey, with hearts full and enriched by incredible memories, we headed back home, already looking forward to the next ‘Stay with Martha’ tours.
This experience offers something extraordinary: fascinating stories, new and undiscovered places, wonderful people, immersion into the local community, the region’s flavours, and, most importantly, a sense of togetherness and community felt every single moment of this trip.
I warmly invite all of you who are interested to join us on one of our upcoming tours, which you can find here: https://staywithmartha.com/tour/
