Strunjan – an unspoiled town in the embrace of nature and energy

The flysch coastline of the peninsula of Strunjan has many riches and beauties, both natural and man-made. On one side of the reserve you can find steep 80 m flysch cliffs with a natural beach, on the other the terrain descends through sunny hills and cultivated fields towards the south where we can find the river Roja, the marine lagoon and the operating saltpans. With clear skies the views from the many lookout points in the park are amazing, as you can see the entire gulf of Trieste and all the way to mount Triglav.

A path leads us from the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary to the Cross of Strunjan, which has been erected in 1600 on the edge of the cliff and has been watching over all seafarers ever since. In the past the ships passing here used to sound their horn as a greeting to St. Mary and the sailors crossed themselves and asked her to grant them a safe return home. It is said that on August 15 th many years ago St. Mary miraculously appeared in the exact spot where the cross is standing today. Along the entire length of the cliff can be seen horizontal layers of marlstone and sandstone and the geological and geomorphological phenomena are also interesting.

It is located on top of a steep granite paved path, which leads to the north. According to legend, on the night between the 14th and 15th of August 1512 St. Mary appeared to two vineyard guards. She asked them to advise the authorities to repair the church which was in bad conditions. There is a very rich cultural heritage connected to the legend of the apparition, pilgrimages, processions and miraculous savings. It contains memoirs, songs and is supported by numerous illustrative paintings and votive images, which are still preserved in the church. The event of St. Mary’s apparition is celebrated with a boat procession, which takes Mary’s statue from Izola to her church in Strunjan.

For the past few decades persimmons have had a special place in Strunjan’s peninsula. The persimmon (Diospyros kaki) came to Strunjan from Italy.  The persimmon orchards of Strunjan produce one third of all the produce in Slovenia and at the beginning of November the already traditional Persimmon feast is held here.

In the past, fishermen in Strunjan caught their fish with a trawl fishing net. Today the fishermen fish in the coastal zone of the Nature park only a few months a year. Smaller boats and nets are used to catch smaller quantities of larger fish. Among the catch the most common species are the following: sole, cuttlefish, gilt-head bream, European flounder, common Pandora, sea-bass, scorpion fish and flathead grey mullet. Besides fishing, shellfish farming is also an extra source of income for the locals.