Our stay in Svetvinčenat will remain in our memories forever. This Istrian town welcomed us with open hearts, offering us not only a stage for singing but also the warmth of a home.
From the very first moments, we felt special – our accommodation in the charming family-run Hotel Della Croce was much more than just a place to stay. In the heart of Svetvinčenat, this lovely small hotel radiates the charm of the old town, with every stone wall telling its own story. But what truly makes it special are not just the rooms or the ambiance, but the people. Sanja and Dado Macan welcomed us with smiles and open hearts, and their kindness and care accompanied us from the first to the very last moment of our visit. Each morning began with a rich breakfast, prepared with love and served with warm conversation, which made us feel like we were among family. That sense of togetherness and genuine care will remain a cherished memory. We warmly recommend Della Croce to anyone looking for a combination of comfort, history, and authentic Istrian hospitality.
Our visit to Svetvinčenat was enriched by moments in which we touched the history, culture, and spirituality of this Istrian region. A walk through the magnificent Grimani-Morosini Castle carried us centuries back in time. Every room, every stone wall, and every view from its towers told stories of people, events, and eras that shaped this town. We felt a connection with the rich cultural heritage and a deep gratitude for being able to breathe in history in a place where it still lives.
Equally powerful, but on an even deeper level, was our visit to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where Blessed Miroslav Bulešić rests. Before his tomb, we stood in silence, deeply moved by his testimony of faith and life. For us, that moment was an encounter with spiritual strength that inspires and guides.
In the evening, on the beautiful town square at the heart of Svetvinčenat, Klapa Kartolina had the honor of performing together with outstanding ensembles – the male klapa Teran and the hosts, the female klapa Teranke. The stage was simply perfect. The intimate atmosphere of the old Istrian square, under the light of a summer evening and surrounded by the history of stone walls, created a unique setting. Alongside this, the excellent sound system allowed every note and every voice to reach the audience in its full beauty and clarity. It was almost an ideal place for klapa singing, where voices blend with the space and the song becomes part of the ambiance. Such moments remain etched in memory, reminding us that klapa was truly made for stages like this. The experience of the concert was further enriched thanks to photographer Maira Licul (Maira LK_photography), who managed to capture the true moments – the smiles, the emotions, and the special atmosphere of the evening.
After the concert, our gathering continued with conversation, singing, and laughter, leaving us with memories that will last as long as the echoes of song that filled Svetvinčenat that night.
The most beautiful part of it all were the people. The sincere hospitality of our dear Teranke made this evening a cherished memory that will forever remain in our hearts. Their warmth, smiles, and care were woven into every moment of our stay. We wish to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Kristina and Diana from Klapa Teranke, who cared for us with such kindness that we truly felt like we were among family. Despite all their responsibilities – especially looking after their little children who were with them – they still found the time and energy to dedicate themselves to us. Their attention, goodness, and smiles accompanied us at every step, while their children brought extra joy and warmth to our shared moments. Such devotion and heartfelt kindness were, for us, a true sign of friendship and of the love for the music we cherish and the people we meet through it.
For us in Kartolina, Svetvinčenat was not just another stop on our journey, but a place where we found friends, togetherness, and a home in beautiful Istria. Thank you, dear Teranke. Thank you, Svetvinčenat, for the song, the unforgettable moments, and our sincere thanks to the Svetvinčenat Tourist Board, who made all of this possible.
To be continued…
Naš boravak u Svetvinčentu ostati će nam zauvijek u sjećanju. Ovaj istarski gradić dočekao nas je otvorena srca, pruživši nam ne samo pozornicu za pjesmu, već i toplinu doma.
Od prvih trenutaka osjećali smo se posebno – smještaj u predivnom obiteljskom hotelu Della Croce bio je za nas puno više od običnog smještaja. U srcu Svetvinčenta, ovaj predivni mali hotel odiše šarmom starog gradića i pričom svakog kamenog zida. No ono što ga čini posebnim nisu samo sobe i ambijent, nego ljudi. Sanja i Dado Macan dočekali su nas s osmijehom i otvorenim srcem, a njihova briga i toplina pratili su nas od prvog do zadnjeg trenutka boravka. Svako jutro počinjalo je uz bogat doručak, pripremljen s ljubavlju i poslužen uz prijateljski razgovor, zbog čega smo se osjećali kao među najbližima. Taj osjećaj zajedništva i iskrene pažnje ostat će nam u posebnom sjećanju. Toplo preporučujemo Della Croce svima koji žele spoj ugode, povijesti i iskrenog istarskog gostoprimstva.
Naš posjet Svetvinčentu bio je obogaćen posebnim trenucima u kojima smo dotaknuli povijest, kulturu i duhovnost ovoga istarskog kraja. Šetnja kroz veličanstveni kaštel Grimani-Morosini povela nas je stoljećima unatrag. Svaka odaja, svaki kameni zid i pogled s kula pričali su priču o ljudima, događajima i vremenu koje je oblikovalo ovaj gradić. Osjetili smo povezanost s bogatom kulturnom baštinom i zahvalnost što smo mogli udahnuti povijest na mjestu gdje ona i dalje živi.
Jednako snažan, ali još dublji dojam ostavio je posjet crkvi Blažene Djevice Marije, mjestu gdje počiva blaženi Miroslav Bulešić. Pred njegovim grobom zastali smo u tišini, duboko dirnuti njegovim svjedočanstvom vjere i života. Taj trenutak za nas je bio susret s duhovnom snagom koja nadahnjuje i vodi.
Navečer, na prekrasnoj Placi u srcu Svetvinčenta, klapa Kartolina imala je čast nastupiti zajedno s izvanrednim izvođačima – muškom klapom Teran i domaćinima – ženskom klapom Teranke. Pozornica je bila jednostavno savršena. Intimna atmosfera starog istarskog trga, pod svjetlom ljetne večeri i okružena poviješću kamenih zidina, stvorila je judinstven ambijent. Uz to, izvrsno ozvučenje omogućilo je da svaka nota i svaki glas dođu do publike u svojoj punoj ljepoti i jasnoći. Bilo je to gotovo idealno mjesto za klapsku pjesmu gdje se glasovi stapaju s prostorom, a pjesma postaje dio ugođaja. Takvi trenuci ostaju urezani u pamćenje jer podsjećaju da je klapska pjesma upravo stvorena za ovakve pozornice. Doživljaj koncerta dodatno je obogaćen zahvaljujući fotografkinji Mairi Licul (Maira LK_photography), koja je uspjela uhvatiti one prave trenutke – osmijehe, emocije i posebnu atmosferu večeri.
Nakon koncerta zajedničko druženje protegnulo se u razgovoru, pjesmi i smijehu, ostavljajući nam uspomene koje će trajati jednako dugo kao i zvukovi pjesme što su te večeri odzvanjali Svetvinčentom.
Najljepši dio svega bili su ljudi. Iskrena gostoljubivost naših dragih Teranki učinila je ovu večer dragom uspomenom koja će uvijek biti u našim srcima. Njihova toplina, osmijeh i pažnja utkali su se u svaki trenutak našeg boravka. Posebnu i iskrenu zahvalu želimo uputiti Kristini i Diani iz klape Teranke, koje su brinule o nama s toliko srdačnosti da smo se osjećali kao među najbližima. Unatoč svim svojim obvezama, a posebno brizi oko vlastite male djece koju su imale sa sobom, pronašle su vremena i snage da se posvete nama. Njihova pažnja, dobrota i osmijesi pratili su nas na svakom koraku, a njihova djeca unijela su dodatnu radost i toplinu u naše zajedničke trenutke. Takva požrtvovnost i srdačnost za nas su bili znak istinskog prijateljstva i ljubavi prema glazbi koju njegujemo i ljudima.
Za nas iz Kartoline, Svetvinčenat nije bio samo jedno od odredišta na našem putu, već mjesto u kojem smo pronašli prijatelje, zajedništvo i dom u predivnoj Istri. Hvala vam drage Teranke, hvala Svetvinčentu na pjesmi i nezaboravnim trenucima i posebna zahvala Turističkoj zajednici Svetvinčenat koja je ovo sve omogućila.
Nastavlja se ..
Photo gallery by Klapa Kartolina
Photo gallery by Maira LK_photography
