The hinterlands

This compact settlement on the hill above Dragonja proudly shows of its elements of Istrian architecture and a long lasting olive harvesting and winemaking tradition. Its particular nod to lively village life history are the large stone courtyards. Farming played an important role in the development of the village as it is now. According to folk tales, the villagers built the church bell tower using the proceeds acquired by selling Istrian garlic. Nowadays the villages organises a festival of wine and garlic during the summer months, in honour of that event.

Nova vas is also one of the rare villages in Slovenian Istria with its own preserved water supply ( a reservoir). Men took animals there to drink while the women used it to do the laundry.

Would you like to visit a real typical Istrian village? Visit Padna! This compactly built village preserved its traditional typical image of an Istrian village and that is why it is also heritage protected. Padna lies in the heart of the Šavrin hills and offers great views of the sea and the Alps.

The path leading to the village is covered in olive groves among which we can also find plants as old as 300 years. The villagers are proud of their superb (multi-award winning) olive oil which can be tried every year at the spring festival of oil and chard. Chard played an important role in the history of the village as the villagers built a church bell tower next to the church from the proceeds acquired by selling chard.

Among the three villages on the outskirts, Sv. Peter is the closest to medieval Piran. It lies on a high slope above the Dragonja river valley, and offers views all the way to Piran Bay. Its main attraction is the ethnological museum Tonina hiša (Tonin House). A visit to this traditional Istrian stone made house will show you how people once lived here. You will also see a well preserved "torkla" - olive press machine - and experience what used to be a farm kitchen.

Sv. Peter is interesting to visit every time of the year. Its most notable festival occurs on the 29th June when the inhabitants celebrate the town's protector and namesake, St. Peter. A mass is held and afterwards there is a procession on the streets with the statue of St. Peter. In the evening, the locals organize a traditional Istrian dance party also known as "šagra".