Kotli: Where Water and Stone Tell Stories
Hidden deep in the Istrian countryside, not far from Hum, the smallest town in the world, lies Kotli – a village frozen in time, where stone houses, ancient mills, and the gentle sound of waterfalls create a world apart from the rush of modern life.
Once a thriving milling village, Kotli was abandoned as the world changed, but nature never left. The Mirna River still flows through smooth limestone pools and over small cascades, shaping the stones into round basins that gave the village its name – “kotli” meaning cauldrons in Croatian.
Walking into the past
Arriving in Kotli feels like stepping into a forgotten storybook. The stone bridges and ruined mills stand as silent witnesses to the village’s past, where millers and farmers once worked alongside the rushing water. The main mill, though weathered, still hints at its former importance.
Walking along the river path, the waterfalls and natural pools invite you to pause. On warmer days, the pools become a natural spa – cool, clear, and perfect for a refreshing dip. The blend of stone, water, and greenery makes Kotli a place where nature and history coexist in perfect harmony.
A hidden gem for explorers
While Kotli is quiet, it’s never empty of life. In spring and summer, hikers, photographers, and curious travelers come to experience its tranquility. Some come for the walk from Hum, following the Glagolitic Alley, a path lined with monuments to the Glagolitic alphabet, connecting these two cultural gems.
It’s a place where time slows, where you can sit on a stone ledge, feel the spray of the water, and listen to the wind rustle through the trees.
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