Cerovlje

Cerovlje is the center of the municipality located on an important road route that once connected Istria and Rijeka, gaining significance in 1876 with the construction of the Divača - Pula railway line. Thanks to the quality clay deposits in the valleys around Cerovlje and Borut, brick production developed in these areas as early as the beginning of the 19th century. Entrepreneur Antonio Mezzar from Previž built a brickyard in Cerovlje in 1911, which, together with the one in Borut, at that time represented the only industrial facility in central Istria.

Cerovlje is rich in cultural heritage, including the 15th-century church of the Holy Trinity with remnants of frescoes by an unknown master. In addition, the frescoes in the church of St. Roch in Draguć represent an important cultural element. These frescoes, painted in 1529 and 1537, express gratitude for deliverance from the plague, as evidenced by the Glagolitic inscription from 1529 above the church door.

Castles and forts mark the landscape, among which medieval fortified complexes like Castle Possert stand out. Near Paz is Castle Possert, built in 1529 by the Barbo family, now a popular excursion spot with breathtaking panoramic views. Belaj Castle, the only estate in Croatia where viticulture and castle have evolved together, nestled in the beautiful landscape of Mount Učka, shaping the region as an important center of oenological culture with its long history of wine production.

Cerovlje is the heart of the vast municipality, preserved throughout history and today, offering a true rural Istria for genuine enjoyment.