| Gračišće | |||
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| — Municipality — | |||
| Gračišće | |||
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Gračišće
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Croatia | ||
| County | Istria | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Ivan Mijandrušić | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 61 km2 (23.6 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 457 m (1,499 ft) | ||
| Population (2001) | |||
| • Total | 1,433 | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Gračišće (Italian: Gallignana) is a village and the administrative centre of the same-named municipality in Istria, Croatia, elevation 457 meters. Total municipality population is 1,433 (census 2001) living in 7 settlements:
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Prehistory of Gračišće and its surroundings is poorly known. Gračišće with its surroundings has good strategic position and was almost surely settled and also played significant role in this area during Bronze Age and Iron Age. There are just few findings located at Perunčevac, Perunovac, Osoje, Funčići, Bazgalji with ceramics finds and Salamunišće where the Bronze Age grave was found. In Iron Age Istria was settled with Illyrian tribes of Histri (west, south and central Istria) and Liburni (eastern part).
After few centuries of armed conflicts, the war between Roman Empire and Histri tribe (Istria is named after them) which lived in Istria ended with the fall of Nesactium in 177 BC. From then, Histria was subjected to Roman rule and was incorporated into the Tenth region (Regio X), replaced at the end of 3rd century with Venetia et Histria province. The territory of Gračišće remained confined between coastal colonies but not belonging to them. After a while it become imperial property and in 3rd century it came under control of the revenue officials situated in Pola (today Pula). Strategic position of Gračišće grew more important during and after 3rd and 4th century when hills around Gračišće become good defending positions. After 476 AD West Roman Empire fell but after 30 years Justinian I, emperor of the East Roman Empire, restores the empire and Byzantine Empire ruled in Istria until 751 AD.
In early Middle Ages various barbarian tribes invaded Istria. They remained for brief periods except for the Slavs who settled mostly in interior. Istria became part of the Franconian state in 788 AD, then in 952 AD became part of duchy of Bavaria, after that in 976 AD it became part of the duchy of Carinthia and in 11th century fell under the jurisdiction of the Church and some German feudal families. In 1199 Gračišće was first mentioned in any written sources as Gallinianum. In 14th and 15th century Gračišće grew quite prosperous. The Inner Istrian part around Mitterburg (Pazin), was held for centuries by the Holy Roman Empire (Heiliges Römisches Reich Deutscher Nation). The Holy Roman Empire rule ended with the period of Napoleonic rule from 1805 to 1813 when Istria became part of the Italian Kingdom and of the so-called Illyrian provinces of the Napoleonic Empire. After this short period the newly established Austrian Empire ruled Istria as part of "Küstenland". After World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, Istria was given to Italy. After the end of World War II, Istria was relinquished to Yugoslavia. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 Istria (and Gračišće) became part of current state of Croatia, after which Gračišće become the seat of a municipality.
Gračišće municipality has a surface area of 61 square kilometers.
Gračišće village which is also the administrative centre of Gračišće municipality is located about 8 kilometres east of Pazin, on the road Pazin - Kršan - Vozilići. It is seated on the top of the hill and it is typical medieval Istrian town. Gračišće village stands completely under monumental protection. From the old cemetery which is located in front of St. Vitus church one has a panoramic view of inner Istria up to the Učka mountain range (1402m), Julian Alps and Dolomites.
Between Gračišće an Pićan lies the protected landscape (1475 ha, protected from 1973) with unusual geological characteristics. Diverse landscape has been formed by erosion of marl, sandstone and limestone deposits with brook valleys formed in marl and hills formed from harder limestone which dominate the surrounding landscape.
According to the 2001 census in Croatia, the whole of Gračišće Municipality has 1433 inhabitants, while the settlement of Gračišće itself has 467 inhabitants. The ethnic composition of the Municipality is 82.07% Croats, 15.91% others, and 0.35% Italians.
The economy of Gračišće municipality is mostly based on agriculture (grapes, wheat, fruits) and raising livestock (cattle, pigs) and smaller part of its population is employed in service sector (Pazin). In recent times some rural tourism is emerging.
Gračišće/Gallignana town has several interesting landmarks including The Church of The Mother of God at the Square(Croatian: Crkva majke božje na placu) which was built in 1425, small Church of St. Anthony of Padova and The Church of St. Euphemia built in 1383. In St. Eufemia church there is very impressive crucifix from the 13th century and golden baroque altar. The successive reconstruction of St. Eufemia church did not change the essential characteristics of its medieval architecture. Many residential houses were built in 15. century as dates which are inscribed on the portals show. In the Middle Ages it was encircled by fortifications and one of the towers and main municipal gates are still standing today.
The parish church of St. Vitus was built in 1769. In Gračišće you can also see the Palace of Salomon, the only example of a Gothic residence in this part of Istria. Summer seat of the Pićan bishop was also located in Gračišće.
Srećko Zuglia (1888–1969), important Croatian lawyer and law professor was born in Čulji in Gračišće municipality and attended elementary school in Gračišće. He finished elementary school in Pićan.
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