A Closer Look at the Istrian Stonehenge

12.02.2024
Istria peninsula

Take a closer look at the architectural prowess and historical significance of the magnificent Istrian Stonehenge. In ancient times, during the Bronze Age in Istria, people mostly lived on hillforts. These were elevated places where communities, big or small, made their homes. In Istria, there were about 400 of these town settlements, and around fifty of them were found in Poreština.

The building of forts in Poreština happened during the shift from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Bronze Age. This period coincided with the arrival of a new group of people, the Indo-Europeans, from Asia Minor. They either pushed out or merged with the native population.

In the area behind Poreč, there are ten hills, each about a hundred meters tall. The most important ones are Mordele and Picugi. Their flat tops suggest that there were ancient settlements on these leveled areas. These hills give us a glimpse into the life and history of the people who lived there a long time ago.

Mordele Hills and the Enigmatic St. Angels

Journey Through Time: Little St. Anđeo's Megalithic Circle and the Mysteries of Picugi Hills

Some people believe that Little St. Anđeo is the only megalithic circle in Croatia, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age (1000-2000 BC). The ancient stones were originally set up in a three-quarter circle, but some of them have been knocked down over time.

Now, the Picugi hill range has three hills without names but with ancient burial grounds from the Iron Age. Andrea Amoroso, between 1883 and 1889, dug up more than 500 graves and named the hillforts Picugi I, II, and III. Carlo de Marchesetti continued the work in 1904, 1909, and 1913, finding around 250 more graves. Giovanni de Vergotini also did some smaller excavations on his land and donated the findings to the Poreč museum in 1886 and 1887.

In these graves, there were pot-bellied ceramic embers with geometric patterns, along with imported vases from Venice, Daunia, and Etruria, bronze vessels, helmets, fan handles, and various types of jewelry. Based on findings in Trieste, the Poreč Native Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Istria in Pula, it is believed that these hillforts were inhabited from the late Middle Neolithic period until the Roman era.

Picugi hills are a part of Histra’s legacy, with the oldest remains dating back 3,000 years. They reached their peak between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. Besides items connected to Histra, some objects found there belong to the Celts, Greeks, and Etruscans. Despite starting 1000 years later than Mordele, Picugi became a significant center, leaving behind one of the richest ancient sites on the Istrian peninsula.

Experience Istrian Stonehenge

Explore the rich history and architectural marvels of Istria, where ancient communities thrived on hill forts during the Bronze Age. Poreština, with its 50 town settlements, holds a special place in this historical tapestry.

Join us in unraveling the mysteries of Istria’s past. Visit these ancient sites and witness the echoes of civilizations that once thrived in this captivating region. Take a step back in time, and let history come alive. Plan your journey now!

Your CTC Team