• located 64 kilometres from Smrikve
• it is an interesting example of the centuries old urbanisation
• it was an important border settlement of the Venetian dominions in Istria
• not to be missed: the frescoes paintings in the Church of St. Rock and the view from the site where the church is located, the Church of St. Elisium and the walk around the old town

Three, over hundred years old, Olive Trees that Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors planted for the 11th, 12th and 13th Smrikva Bowl are both from this lovely town.

DRAGUC – VIRTUAL TOUR

Lots of visitors come to Draguc to see its beauty, the architecture of its buildings, arched doorways, the remains of the old town walls and Medieval fresco paintings in its churches.

Most of the churches with fresco paintings in Istria are closed and to visit them you need to find who can open it for you. My advice would be to simply ask the people you find in the village and they will indicate you where to pick up the key. This will make your visit even more interesting. You will meet some local people that could be interested to let you know something about their town and artworks hosted in their churches. I have not pictured inside the churches that I visited in Istria on purpose, because is very different to see frescoes and other valuable artworks in the picture and alive.

If you drive from Cerovlje, you will note Draguc from the road located on your left side. It seems that the town has developed along its main central street. Turn left towards Draguc and park near the cemetery at the entrance of the town.

On the cemetery you will note the Romanesque Church of St. Elisium from the 12th century with some fresco paintings dating back into the 13th century, representing different Biblical scenes. The frescoes have an emphatic Byzantium influence.

This church was built with stones of two colours and in part the obtained effect is comparable to the more famous churches in Florence and the Naval Church in Pula.

From the cemetery church you can walk towards the main street that will drives you towards the main square. Before entering the main street you will pass nearby the Church of the Virgin Mary of Rosary from 1641. This church has been arranged like a museum and contains the objects from the other older, now demolished, churches from the surroundings.

You will also note the shadow of a big hackberry tree that is placed right in front of the church. From there you can take the central main street that will bring you to the main square.