Kažuni and Dry Stone Walls: Istria’s Stone Legacy
As you travel through Istria’s rolling hills, past olive groves and vineyards, you’ll often notice small round stone huts dotting the landscape – these are kažuni, humble structures that hold centuries of history within their walls. Alongside them run the dry stone walls, winding through fields and forests, silent witnesses to Istria’s rural life.
Though simple in appearance, these stone creations represent skill, tradition, and a connection to the land that has been passed down through generations.
A tradition built by hand
The kažun is a circular stone shelter, built without mortar, designed to protect shepherds and farmers from the elements. Their conical roofs and thick stone walls keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Building a kažun is an art, requiring patience, precision, and a deep understanding of stone. The same techniques are used for the dry stone walls, which mark property boundaries, guide livestock, and protect crops from the wind.
This craftsmanship has been recognized by UNESCO, which included dry stone walling on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage – a testament to its importance across the Mediterranean, including Istria.
Discovering the stone landscape
One of the best places to explore this stone heritage is near Vodnjan, where the Kažun Park offers an open-air exhibition of restored kažuni and educational trails. Walking among these structures, you can see the different styles and techniques used by local builders, each telling a story of survival and ingenuity.
But you don’t need a map to find them. Just wander the Istrian countryside, and you’ll see kažuni and walls blending seamlessly into the landscape, as much a part of the scenery as the olive trees and vines.
A living connection to the land
The kažuni and dry stone walls remind us that architecture isn’t always grand or monumental. Sometimes, it’s the quiet structures, built with care and purpose, that best reflect a region’s soul.
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