Dvigrad: visiting the abandoned town near Kanfanar

Updated October 12, 2026.

Dvigrad near Kanfanar preserves the ruins of a medieval town. Three gates lead to its square and St Sophia’s Church, above the former houses.

From the town gates to St Sophia’s

Dvigrad stands on a rise in the Limska Draga valley, between 150 and 175 metres above sea level. The ruins belong to Moncastello, one of the two fortified settlements that gave the area its name. The inhabitants of the other settlement, Parentin, left much earlier.

The route through three gates shows how the approaches to the town were defended. The first leads into the lower settlement, the second passes through the inner ring of walls, and the third gives access to the centre. St Sophia’s Church stands here on the bedrock. In front was the square, with the town palace to the east and the church chapter’s quarters to the west. Below this centre, the remains of houses are still recognisable. Craftspeople worked in the southwestern part of town.

The church was enlarged over the centuries, leaving remains from several building phases. Its hexagonal pulpit is now kept in St Sylvester’s parish church in Kanfanar. A relief depicts St Sophia holding two towns, a motif also used on the municipal coat of arms. Surviving fragments of early medieval wall paintings are held by the Archaeological Museum of Istria, rather than remaining on the ruined church’s walls.

Gradual abandonment and visiting today

Wars and epidemics drove inhabitants to leave during the 17th century. Some moved to Kanfanar and Barat. The transfer of the parish to Kanfanar in 1714 ended Dvigrad’s role as a parish centre, by which time most residents had already left.

Wear sturdy shoes for walking among the ruins and expect uneven ground. Keep to the passages, without climbing the walls or moving stones.

You can continue your outing towards Lim Bay or to Svetvinčenat, where a preserved Renaissance square stands beside Morosini-Grimani Castle.

Distance from Bale: 16 minutes driving (17 km)

For: families, first time visitors, history lovers, nature lovers, dog owners

What to do: information, architecture, landscape

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