It is abandoned, but attracts tourists. You will find it next to the smallest city in the world
Balkan atmosphere, but without a bustling boulevard or crowded attractions. It is a village where time has stopped, but it still attracts tourists.
Are you looking for inspiration for an off-season trip? Or maybe you make a list of places worth visiting during your next vacation well in advance? This unique village in Croatia deserves your attention and will surely surprise you. Forget about Zadar or Split. A real phenomenon is the village of Kotli, located near the smallest city in the world. It is deserted, but it is not scary at all like popular ghost towns.
An abandoned village in Croatia delights
Kotli is located on the so-called the hinterland of one of the picturesque islands of Istria. Located on the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, most of it belongs to Croatia – only a small northern part is Slovenian. The village is considered abandoned, but is rich in historical buildings, rocky structures and wildlife. It once functioned as a wealthy settlement, known for its tailors and millers. After World War II, people began to leave en masse.
Today, the biggest attraction for visitors is the bed of the Mirna River, which flows through the limestone substrate. It was from this place that the village took its name – from the Croatian cirques, i.e. round depressions carved by water in the rock massif. As part of this process, natural pools with turquoise water and small waterfalls were created on site. The most water can be found there in spring or after heavy autumn rains, so now is a good time to visit.
From Kotli you will reach the smallest city in the world
To get to Kotla, you can plan a trip along the Trail of the Seven Waterfalls – one of the most beautiful in Croatia. Kotli is one of the stops along the way and the entire tour starts from Buzet. If you don’t feel like hiking, you can easily reach Kotla by car from this town.
An even more attractive solution may be a visit to nearby Hum, the smallest city in the world. From this Croatian gem you can also get to the abandoned Kotla. Hum has several dozen inhabitants and has two short streets, but it is worth seeing for its medieval atmosphere, monuments and because it is entered in the Guinness Book of Records.
