Information
Landmark: HumCity: Rijeka
Country: Croatia
Continent: Europe
Hum, Rijeka, Croatia, Europe
Overview
Tucked away in Istria, Croatia, Hum is a speck of a town with cobbled streets and a big reputation-it proudly calls itself the smallest town in the world.Perched high on a hill in the heart of Istria, Hum draws visitors with its cobbled lanes, centuries-old stone buildings, and a rare charm you’ll only find in a town of just a few dozen people.Though tiny, Hum brims with history and culture, inviting you to wander cobbled lanes past weathered stone archways and centuries-old landmarks.Hum sits about 15 kilometers, or nine miles, from the town of Buzet, perched on a hill that looks out over rolling valleys and dense green forests in the heart of central Istria.Tucked into northwestern Croatia near the Italian border, the tiny town of Hum sits in Istrian County and holds the title of the world’s smallest town, home to just 20 or 30 people.It sits on a small patch of land, and that tight footprint is a big part of its charm and renown.Though it’s barely bigger than a few city blocks, Hum still boasts a town hall, a stone church, and a centuries-old center-features that earn it the title of an official town.Hum’s medieval walls rise above the town, their stone gates standing as some of its most striking landmarks.Built in the Middle Ages to guard the town, these stone walls still stand firm, their weathered blocks cool to the touch.The walls aren’t tall, but they let you take in a clear view of the town’s history-weathered stone and all.You can stroll along the old stone walls and take in sweeping views of the hills rolling out beneath a bright sky.The town has two gates.The Main Gate, called *Ulaz u Grad*, opens into Hum’s center beneath a weathered stone arch.The Southern Gate, or Jug vrata, may see fewer footsteps than the main entrance, but it still stands as part of the old stone fortifications, offering a calmer way into town, while the Church of St. Jerome rises nearby with its weathered bell tower catching the afternoon light.In Hum, the Church of St. Jerome stands as the town’s main place of worship, its thick stone walls and rounded arches showing off classic Romanesque style.The church, built in the 12th century, is famed for its vivid frescoes-especially the ones that bring Bible stories to life in rich blues and golds.Inside the church, you’ll find an altar and a heavy stone baptismal font, each adding to the building’s deep historical and cultural weight.Three.The Glagolitic Alley (Glagolitička Aleja) in Hum is known for its deep ties to the Glagolitic script, the ornate, centuries-old lettering once carved by Croats during the Middle Ages.Glagolitic Alley winds from the tiny stone town of Hum to Roč, another quiet spot in Istria.As you walk down the alley, you’ll come across a row of weathered stone monuments, each carved with the curling lines of Glagolitic letters.These monuments stand as proud markers of Istria’s heritage, honoring the region’s early Christian roots and its Slavic traditions, much like the worn carvings you can still trace with your fingertips.The Glagolitic script, among the oldest Slavic alphabets, still appears in Hum-etched into weathered stone-showing how the tiny town has long guarded and shared Croatia’s cultural identity.Glagolitic Alley winds through the hills as a fascinating walk for anyone drawn to the story of writing and Croatia’s early Christian era, with stone monuments etched in ancient script along the way.Number four came next, marked in thick black ink.Despite its tiny size, Hum still boasts an official Town Hall (Gradska Vijećnica), where locals handle the town’s paperwork in a modest stone building on the main square.The Town Hall stands in the heart of the square, a medieval stone building with weathered walls that catch the afternoon sun.The town may be tiny, but it still runs on a formal system of governance, with the mayor keeping a close eye on every budget line and street repair.The Town Hall deepens the town’s quaint charm, its weathered stone a quiet reminder of Hum’s long life as a settlement.Five.One of Hum’s most fascinating sights is the Hum Stone-a broad, weathered slab carved with Glagolitic script that still catches the light along its worn grooves.The Hum Stone stands near the Church of St. Jerome, a smooth, weathered relic that holds the town’s early Christian roots and rich cultural history.Historians think this stone once served legal and administrative roles in the medieval era, perhaps resting on a wooden table in a dimly lit hall.Number six.Hum bursts to life with vibrant local festivals, each one honoring the town’s deep cultural roots-think music echoing through stone streets and bright banners swaying in the breeze.The best-known event is the “Istrian Truffle Days” festival, where the air fills with the earthy scent of the region’s prized truffles.Since Hum sits right in the heart of truffle country, the festival features earthy truffle tastings, lively hunting demos, and plenty of local dishes.People from across the region gather here to celebrate Istria’s rich culinary traditions, from the scent of fresh truffles to the taste of handmade pasta.In Hum, people gather for religious festivals and old folk traditions, many unfolding in the cobbled central square where music drifts through the air.Because Hum is so small, these gatherings feel warm and personal-you might hear a neighbor’s laughter carry down the cobbled street as you experience the traditional Istrian way of life up close.Seven.If you’re curious about Hum’s past, you’ll find a small museum in the heart of town, where worn tools, faded photographs, and other artifacts tell the story of its cultural and historical heritage.Inside the museum, you’ll find ancient relics, hand-carved local crafts, and weathered documents whose ink has faded to brown, each piece revealing how this small town has changed over the centuries.Eight.Tucked among Istria’s rolling hills and quiet forests, Hum offers sweeping views of the Mirna River Valley, where silver water winds past fields and stone farmhouses.From the hilltop above town, autumn unfolds in deep golds and russet reds, vineyards scattered across the valley like brushstrokes on a wide canvas.Visitor Tip – Accessibility: Hum is a tiny medieval town, its cobbled lanes so close and winding you can stroll from one end to the other in minutes.The streets wind narrowly and climb in places, so it’s smart to slip on comfortable walking shoes.Hum charms in every season, but spring and autumn bring mild air, golden light, and fewer crowds.October’s Istrian Truffle Days draw food lovers from all over, lured by the earthy aroma drifting through cobbled streets; you’ll need to park outside the old town walls, where space is tight and cars can’t squeeze in.In peak season, park in the designated lot, then stroll into town past stone walls warm from the sun.Hum has a handful of cozy taverns and restaurants serving traditional Istrian fare-think truffle-rich dishes and a glass of local wine.Because it’s so small, Hum doesn’t have many places to stay, though you can find cozy guesthouses in nearby towns like Buzet or Roč.Even as the world’s tiniest town, it still stands out as one of Istria’s most remarkable spots.It’s small enough to cross in ten minutes, yet it’s packed with history, culture, and tradition.Winding medieval streets, stone monuments carved with Glagolitic script, and a warm, lived-in atmosphere make the town a place you can’t help wanting to explore.Whether you’re winding through its narrow alleys, stepping into centuries-old stone buildings, or savoring a plate of earthy truffle pasta, Hum draws you in.
