In order to see for myself what lies beyond its beauty, I embarked on an adventure – from the river’s spring near the town of Buzet, to the area where it becomes still and flows into the Adriatic Sea. Along the way, I discovered many interesting facts about it and I enjoyed some stunning scenery.
Mirna in the time of antiquity
In my campaign along the river I found out that in antiquity Mirna could be sailed almost all the way down to the town of Grožnjan, and they say boats up to 10 meters long were used to sail it! Still today there are monuments in Tar reminding us of a time of boating on Mirna, but the last boats sailed this river back in the 19th century. With the construction of a wine road known as La Parenzana, boating on Mirna became obsolete, while Parenzana became an attractive destination for cyclists.
Today as you drive through Istria you will often pass the artificially created river bed that Mirna peacefully flows through, surrounded by green banks, impressive forests and tall rocks and hills; truly a sight worthy of your time and energy.
A unique site in Istria
Mirna is the longest river in Istria with a proud length of 52 kilometers, while its entire system has over 540 kilometers of length! Its spring is located at the bottom of Ćićarija, and it flows into the Adriatic Sea near the town of Novigrad. Following the river, you will probably set your sight on Motovun, a must-see destination. In the 52 kilometers of its length, you will surely get hungry, so why not try the traditional Istrian cuisine, which you can enjoy along with the famous Istrian wines, which can be found at taverns all along its banks, but also in the charming towns on the surrounding hills.
A favorite sports destination
You will surely need refreshment if you take off on this adventure in search of adrenaline. Namely, Mirna is an ideal sports destination for kayaking and canoeing, because its calmness attracts all professionals and enthusiasts in these sports. The kayak tours along the river’s delta can last up to four hours, while rowers have no less than 35 calm kilometers of river ahead of them. It is a true joy that I plan to try out as soon as I get the chance. It is also worth mentioning that cyclists will be thrilled with Mirna, considering it provides pleasant scenery while cycling along its flow. Another thing going on my to-do list!
Whether you are looking for a place for a relaxing field trip, you want to enjoy a more dynamic, sports tour, or you want to return to a time long gone by, the valley of the river Mirna will fulfill all your desires. And provide you with a peaceful vacation.
