Free guided tour of Motovun – “Get to Know Your Country”

The Motovun Tourist Board is organizing a free guided tour of Motovun on Sunday, January 18, 2026, starting at 12:00 PM.
As part of the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic old town of this picturesque Istrian hilltop town with the guidance of a professional guide.

Who was Sebastian Venier, and how did he leave his mark on Motovun so strongly that his character is being brought back to life today? You will discover the answers to these and many other questions from Motovun’s rich history if you join the free interpretive walk on Sunday, starting exactly at noon, led by the Venetian captain Sebastian Venier, portrayed by experienced licensed tourist guide Mate Mekiš.

This free professional costumed guided tour is organized as part of the national project “Get to Know Your Country”, launched by the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides.

The Association of Croatian Tourist Guides initiated this commendable project in 2017, and each year it attracts an increasing number of towns and cities across Croatia. The project is held to mark the Day of International Recognition of the Republic of Croatia, with the aim of familiarizing local residents with the rich history, culture, and traditions of the areas in which they live.

Guided tours, which begin simultaneously throughout Croatia, are primarily intended for the local population to help them get to know their hometowns better and become ambassadors of Croatian tourism, but they are also open to all other visitors. The core objective of the project is to highlight the importance of tourism professionals for Croatia’s international reputation, as well as the significance of national identity and cultural heritage.

The Motovun tour will be conducted in Croatian and is free of charge for all participants. The meeting point is at the upper cemetery in Motovun, at the very entrance to the old town, next to the retractable bollard. Free parking is provided for all visitors in the immediate vicinity of the meeting point.

In addition to its picturesque streets and squares, the tour includes a walk along the Motovun town walls, the best-preserved fortification system in Istria, and participants will learn a great deal about the history and traditions of Motovun.

The Motovun Tourist Board regularly takes part in the national project “Get to Know Your Country.” The fundamental goal of the project is to emphasize the importance of tourism professionals for Croatia’s international standing, as well as the value of national identity and cultural heritage. The project represents an important step in educating citizens about the many hidden treasures of our towns that we often overlook, preserving our heritage, and supporting professional tourist guides, who are key ambassadors of our culture and traditions, the Motovun Tourist Board concludes.