Baštija - Kostanjica - Parenzana

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Baštija

Baštija, the port of Grožnjan in Antiquity, was situated on the Mirna River, some 10 kilometers from the sea. The importance of this spacious quay for loading and discharging goods in the Middle Ages is testified by the tariff from 1726, inscribed on a stone tablet, on the square in Vižinda. The port was named after the defense tower built by the Venetians. Nearby was also the source of drinking water Gradole that supplied water to a great part of Istrian population. Just like today. Upstream, all the way to Istarske toplice, the river was navigable for boats five to ten meters long, with a draft not greater than a meter and a half. Those were mostly rowing boats, wooden boats with a crew of only a few, that in Antiquity served for transporting amphorae and ceramics, testified by finds near Livade and below Motovun. Upstream from Istarske toplice reaching below Buzet, the river could be sailed only by batane and bateli of very shallow draft. Most probably, the last significant quay was at the very site of Istarske toplice. Since the sea did not extend deep into inland, the navigability of the river depended on the amount of its water.