Visnjan is located in the western part of Istria, 12 km east-northeast from the city Porec. Its surface spreads on 65 km2 and has about 2,200 inhabitants. The name Visnjan derives probably from the Latin word Vicinianus (meaning : in the hear/close), because, in those days it was the closest property to Porec. The act from the year 1003. is the oldest written document where the name Visnjan is mentioned and by which have been determined the borders of the property of St. Mauro. In the years of B.C., Visnjan was inhabited by the Illyrians, and later by Celts and in ancient times and the Middle Ages, west of Visnjan was known the village Dilian, famuous by its monastery and the church of St. Michael. Visnjan was surroanded and protected by the walls until the 18th century, and it was possible to enter the city only through a large door, built in the Venetian times with thei simbol on top o fit: a lion with an open book. Once, in the vicinity of Visnjan was also passing the old railroad Parenzana.
Due to the large migrations in the past, the population of Visnjan is now very heterogeneous. Visnjan was inhabited by the Celts, Illyrians, Slavs, Venetians, and because of the Turkish conquests in 1500.g., also with Croats from Dalmatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the emigration of Italians is significant between 1946. and 1958. after the annexation of Istria to Yugoslavia. In the past few years depopulation of younger people is greater towards the coast, usually for work reasons. The population is mainly engaged in agriculture (olive oil, wine and fruit growing) and catle breeding and tourism.
Like other places settled around the large tourist resorts, Visnjan has an increasing role in the touristic offer of the region. In the very town, but also in the surrounding places, were built or have been renovated a numerous houses and villas with swimming pool, which significantly has increased the capacity and category of accommodation in the Porec area. In Visnjan there is still lot of tourism potential that is ready to be fully exploit, such as hunting and health tourism folllowed by agro tourism.
In the surroandings of Visnjan there are few families engaged in the production of premium wines. One of them is the family Poletti who are dealing with a wine business since 1842. With every sip of their wine you can feel the passion of the devotion which this family has been giving to the grapevines for more than 150 years. We can be free to say that each cup of family Polletti's vine is a new pleasure.
From the other tourist attractions at the Visnjan area, there are several farmhouses and typical taverns where you can taste simple traditional dishes prepared from ecologically grown ingredients. The bicycle paths are connecting this area with Porec, coastal area of istria, central Istria and with attractive Baredine cave, located in half way between Visnjan and Porec. Probably the most famous cycling route that passes through this area is Parenzana (http://www.parenzana.net) . It is a former railway line which once connected Trieste and Porec, representing a „lifeblood“ of the Istrian economy and today makes a remarkable tourist attraction. In very Visnjan the guests can find everything they need for everyday stay, refering to the convenience store, bakery, butcher shop, pizzeria, typical tavern, ATM and an ambulance.
Visnjan is probably best known for its observatory which is famous world-wide after the discovery of the small astronomical objects in the solar system thanks to the Croatian astronomer and enthusiast Korado Korlevic. The new observatory is located in Tican only a few kilometers from Visnjan and represents an important education center for young people and is also an important tourist destination. The mission of the observatory is: "To motivate, educate and support children, teachers, parents to express their talents, and to grow into experts, educators and leaders capable of creating and managing the world to come."
Famous persons:
Antun Korlevic, (1851. - 1915.), entomologist
Joze Suran, (1890. - 1944), national hero
Corrado Korlevic, astronomer
Ivan Pilat, poet