Žminj, a town with a rich history, was inhabited since prehistoric times and first mentioned in 1178. Over the centuries, it played a crucial role in transportation, with roads that remained important until today. In the 19th century, it became a trading center, dealing in various products such as wine, wood, and livestock, and was known for stone processing, especially the Žminj "škarpelini".
Žminj had a significant military role as an Austrian fortress; in the 15th century, a castle was built, with two towers on the eastern rampart and buildings within the courtyard. Notable are three churches adorned with frescoes - the Church of the Holy Trinity from 1471, the Church of the Holy Cross, and the Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot dating back to 1381. At the entrance to the town is the Church of Saint Bartolomew, around which the traditional Bartulja festival is held every last Saturday of August. Below the town lies the Calvary, erected in 1728, with three crosses on the hill, once a place of blessing for a good harvest.
The heritage of Žminj includes its unique dialect, protected as intangible cultural heritage of Croatia, and the traditional Bartulja festival. The library in Žminj, known as Čakavska kuća, was established in 2002 after years of efforts by activists of the Čakavian Parliament. Also, the Žminj ring and earring, found in an early Croatian cemetery in Žminj in the mid-20th century, are popular souvenirs whose replicas are sold as decorative items and are protected in the Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia. The "Feštinsko kraljevstvo" in the village of Feštini near Žminj attracts visitors with its cave, while the Istrian Pasta Festival takes place at the end of June, gathering pasta and gastronomy lovers from all over Croatia.
Žminj, with its rich cultural and gastronomic heritage, offers an unforgettable experience to visitors eager to explore the unique beauty of Istria.
