After the success of last year’s edition, the Tabr – Castellieri Festival returns to the Karst
13 June 2026, from 8:00 a.m. in Vojščica, Karst
Are you ready for a journey thousands of years back in time?
Tabr – Castellieri Festival is not just a cultural event, but a true time-travel adventure that brings to life the heritage of prehistoric fortified hilltop settlements known as castellieri.
In the picturesque Karst village of Vojščica, you can expect a full day of experiences for all generations – from nature and history lovers to curious children and creative spirits, organised by the Public Institute Miren Kras and the Farjovca Association of Vojščica.
The day will begin with a mountain bike tour along the Castellieri Trail. On a circular route of approximately 30 kilometres, connecting Vojščica, Sela na Krasu, Nova vas, Opatje Selo, Lokvica, Novelo, Lipa and Škrbina, participants will have the opportunity to discover the castellieri and the Karst landscape up close.
The cyclists’ departure is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., with the meeting point in front of the church in Vojščica. A refreshment stop will also be provided along the route.
Registration: https://forms.gle/CXhobnyuQw35uCTp8 or farjovca@gmail.com
For hiking enthusiasts, we have once again prepared the walk From Castellieri to Castellieri. The circular route, approximately 8 kilometres long, will run between the villages of Vojščica, Novelo and Temnica. Along the way, refreshment points with local specialities will be available.
During the hike, visitors will be able to learn about the rich history of the Karst and the protohistoric cultures that once inhabited this area, leaving behind impressive dry-stone defensive walls that protected the earliest settlements.
The hike will start from the Kal event area in Vojščica at 9:00 a.m.
Registration: https://forms.gle/CXhobnyuQw35uCTp8 or via email: farjovca@gmail.com
The afternoon will feature five creative workshops for all generations. The workshops will take place in the shade of the Kal event area, where visitors will also find stalls with local products and crafts. The workshops will run from 13:00 to 15:30.
In the stone carving workshop, led by local artist Petra Pika Može, participants will create original stone and copper amulets.
In the clay modelling workshop, led by visual artist Gregor Maver, participants will create a dog inspired by a bronze figurine discovered in 2010 at the prehistoric hillfort above Corte d’Isola, dating to the late Iron Age (6th–5th century BC).
In the workshop led by graphic designer Ines Gerbič Zgonc, participants will create plant-based textile prints, while craft enthusiasts can also join the flower crown workshop organised by the Venček Cultural and Ethnological Association from San Daniele del Carso.
A special space will also be dedicated to the flavours of prehistory, explored in a cooking workshop with archaeologist and ancient food specialist Polona Janežič. The workshop will present cooking over an open fire; visitors will learn about prehistoric foods and will be able to taste the prepared dishes.
Registration: https://forms.gle/CXhobnyuQw35uCTp8 or via email: farjovca@gmail.com
At 16:00, traditional folk games will come to life at Kal: visitors will be able to compete in simple games known to our ancestors.
From Kal, the programme will move to the prehistoric hillfort Tabor (next to the present-day cemetery of Vojščica), where at 17:30 there will be a welcome reception with refreshments, followed at 18:00 by the expert lectures Let’s Get to Know the Castellieri and the Protohistoric Megastructures of the Karst, featuring:
• Robert Lavič – Geomantic analysis of the Tabor Vojščica, Grmača and Sant’Ambrogio castellieri
• Maša Saccara – Castellieri in the Slovenian part of Istria
• Tomaž Fabec – Prehistoric hunting megastructures of the Karst
At 19:30, the Castellieri Festival will present a unique performance by Ljoba Jenče, an artist dedicated to preserving the musical, cultural and spiritual heritage of our ancestors.
The event will conclude at 21:00 at Kal with a concert by Klapa Škvadra, bringing participants into a relaxed summer atmosphere.
The event will be held in Slovene and Italian. Interpretation services will be provided.
You are warmly invited!
For more information: Alenka Ožbot Klančič (project partner and coordinator of the Castellieri Festival): +386 51 662 009
The festival is part of the KAŠTellieri project, co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme, which promotes the shared protohistoric heritage of the castellieri between Slovenia and Italy. The project focuses on sustainable tourism, digitalisation of cultural heritage, and strengthening connections between local communities, while promoting the green transition and reducing the environmental impact of tourism. More information: www.ita-slo.eu/kastellieri
