San Lorenzo (617)

Trail marked with number 617
Start: Sveti Lovreč
End: Sveti Lovreč
Length: 33 km
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 260 m
Highest point: 247 m
Lowest point: 135 m
Riding time: 2:00 - 2:30 h
Asphalt: 14 km 
Macadam: 19 km

 

Saint Lawrence

One the best preserved medieval fortified towns in Istria, The town was named after the small church St. Lawrence built in the 8th century on the town graveyard located outside the town. The Romanesque bell tower next to the church was added in the 11th century. The circular shape of the settlement originates from the prehistoric period when a hillfort was located on the hill top. During the Byzantine era Lawrence had already been fortified with walls and towers, which were later thoroughly restored on various occasions. Most of the remaining fortifications date back to the Venetian era when Sveti Lovreč was the seat of the military administration of the Venetian Istria – the so called pazenatik.

 

Church of St. Martin

The interior of the largest Romanesque church in Istria is decorated with frescoes dating back to the 11th century, which makes it one of the oldest on the Istrian peninsula.