Motovun is a
medieval town that grew up on the site of an ancient city called Kastelijer. It is situated on a hill 270 metres (886 feet)
above sea level with houses scattered all over the hill. On the inner walls are several coats-of-arms of different Motovun ruling families and two gravestones of Roman inhabitants (dating from the 1st century).
In the 10th and 11th centuries it belonged to the Bishop of
Poreč. From 1278 it was taken over by
Venice and surrounded by solid walls which are still intact today, and used as a walkway with unique views over the four corners of Istria. All three parts of the town are connected by a system of internal and external fortifications with towers and city gates containing elements of
Romanesque,
Gothic and
Renaissance styles, built between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is a typical example of Venetian colonial architecture
