Sveti Juraj fortress

Sveti Juraj fortress, also known as Santi Quaranta

The fortress is divided into a northern and southern part by an interior wall. Today, its trapezoidal floor plan and well-maintained walls are still visible. The northern plateau was once the centre of a Mediaeval town, and today it features an archaeological site with the ruins of the Church of St George.

Sveti Juraj fortress was built on a strategic position above the mouth of the river Mirna and its harbour. There may have been a prehistoric fortification and ancient settlement in the same place, followed by an ancient and early-Mediaeval fortified military camp. According to some sources, goods were delivered to Pišine harbour on the river Mirna until 1906, after which the pier was blocked with silt. A fire was lit on one of the fortress towers to help keep sailors on a safe course towards the harbour.

Date of visit: 08.03.2020

Sources

• Sveti Juraj fortress near Nova Vas. (n.d.). Colours of Istria. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://coloursofistria.com/en/activities/sveti-juraj-fortress-near-nova-vas