Historical towns like Višnjan located in the western part of central Istria are worth a visit. The geographical location of Istria has played a mayor role in shaping it’s history. Here the Slavic, Roman and German cultures met. The ages of the Romans, the middle ages (Charles the great, Charles V), the Venetians, the Habsburgers, the Italians and even of Napoleon are clearly visible in present day Istria. In this part of Istria the names of the localities are always in two languages: Croatian and Italian – Višnjan / Visignano.
Višnjan, about 12 kilometres east of the coastal town of Poreč, is a small town built on a hill and since ancient times a place of astronomical interest, thanks to the clean clear air. Today, just outside of Višnjan in the place Tican, an Astronomical Observatory (Zvjezdarnica Tican) is located and also in Višnjan there is an observatory (Zvjezdarnica Višnjan). The Tican observatory is the site of some long-running international summer programs for young people who are interested in astronomy, archaeology, marine biology and other sciences.
The observatory Višnjan in Tican (3 km outside of Višnjan) every summer organizes “Astro-nights” These astro nights take place every Saturday from April 30 – October 15 2016 from 20.00 – 23.00 – if the weather allows it. Entrance tickets for adults are 30 kuna (about 4 euros) and for children (5-12 years) 20 kuna (~ 2,7 euros).
photo ©EMRE d.o.o.
Via observatory Višnjan more than 1500 new asteroids and two comets have been discovered.
Today, Višnjan is one of the world’s most productive ‘solar-system-mapping research centre’, and has a place in world’s scientific history. At the Astronomical Observatory in Tican you can also see some monoliths which are arranged in a semicircular shape. There is nothing written about them, so I do not know whether these are old or placed in recent times, but it does give an extra dimension to observing the stars! In addition, every year on June 21th an astro-party /astrofest with music, wine and of course, star gazing takes place!
The place Višnjan is dedicated to the stars, at the Antun Korlević square a beautiful sundial can be seen which represents our solar system with planets and the semicircular stone bench behind depicts the constellations each with its symbol and a schematic representation of the stars that constellation. So you can sit and just relax on your own constellation.
In the oldest part of town, which you reach when you walk through the old Venetian arc from 1517 with Venetian lion, is a beautiful 27m high bell tower beside the newer 19th century church, which was unfortunately closed when I went to look. On the square you will find an old well – cistern – an old loggia from where you have views of the area and even can see the blue Adriatic sea. Another small old church, the Gothic chapel of St. Anton from the 15th century, was open. Inside you stand amazed in this simple space because the walls and ceiling are all painted with colourful frescoes. The frescoes have been damaged over the centuries, but the biblical scenes can still be seen very well.
Near one of the cafes along the square wit the sundial, you find a map of Višnjan and its surroundings. On this map are depicted a short walking-trail from Višnjan and several cycling trails, next to several other interesting sites in the near vicinity. You can get more information at the tourist office of Višnjan located on the first floor of the town hall.
