- The Buje Region stretches from the river Mirna to the river Dragonja, which also
marks the border line with the Republic of Slovenia. This is an area with
wavelike hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and fields sprinkled with
oak, cerris and pine woods and Mediterranean meadows with wild thyme and fir
trees and a karst belt full of interesting geological pheNamena. Situated on top
of a hill at 222 m above sea level, the small town of Buje dominates the
surrounding green terrace-like fields. Due to its strategic location it is
called «The Watchman of Istria». Buje is surrounded by numerous hills which were
settled already during the Bronze Age by various tribes and during the Iron Age
the Histrians came to their prehistoric settlements. With the foundation of
Roman Reign the region becomes Agro della Cononia di Trieste which was annexed
to the region "Venetia et Histria".
- During the turbulent time of Barbarian invasions the population found refugee in
fortresses built on flat hill tops. The fortified castle of Buje dates from this
period, too. In the year 981 the castle of Buje was subdued to the Patriarchate
of Aquilea and in 1102 it fell definitely under its reign. In the 13th century
Buje was proclaimed a free commune. In 1412 the commune of Buje signs the act of
surrender to Venice. Four centuries of Venetian reign set its stamp on the
historical centre of Buje starting from the Spiazzo alle Porte, todays Liberty
Square, which was once the seat of the town loggia. In the 15th century the
church of Mother of God of Mercy was built while its tower was erected in the
17th century. Opposite to these buildings there is the Ethnographic museum
standing above the underpass which used to be a back gate of the wall fence. The
settlement was protected by a number of defence towers, two of which are still
partially preserved a square and a pentagonal tower used for protection of the
West Gate. In the Square of St. Servul, on top of the hill, stands a cathedral,
renovated in the 18th century, which contains all elements of a former Romanic
church built on foundations of the temple of Jupiter.
- A 50 m bell tower was built in the 15th century in the Aquilean style. In front
of it there is a flagstaff from 1655. Next to the bell tower stands a noble
palace in the Gothic-Venetian style, which was used as the seat of a court for a
period of time. From this central square streets paved with stone lead in
different directions building a street network of the historical town plan.
Since the 18th century the settlement has spread outside the town walls. The new
neighbourhoods have become important centres of culture, education, sport,
economy and administration.
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