The church houses the mummified bodies of St. Sebastian, St. Barbara, and St. Mary of Egypt, which remain remarkably preserved without traditional embalming.
The interior holds a collection of 730 relics, making it one of the largest such collections in the Catholic world.
The church bell tower, built in the early 19th century, stands 62 meters tall and serves as a landmark visible from across the southern Istrian peninsula.
The collection of gold and silver reliquaries includes items donated by wealthy Venetian families and various European noble houses.
It holds a 15th-century wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, one of the oldest preserved artifacts in the parish.
The church was constructed primarily through the financial contributions of the local population over four decades.
The Church of St. Blaise in Vodnjan, Croatia, is the largest parish church in Istria, built between 1760 and 1800 on the foundations of earlier medieval structures. It is internationally renowned for its collection of 'Vodnjan Mummies,' which consist of several incorrupt bodies of saints and extensive liturgical relics. The interior features a significant collection of Baroque art, including paintings and gold-plated wood carvings. Visitors can access a specialized sacral museum area that houses these relics and vestments. The church is constructed in a neoclassical style with a prominent bell tower that mimics the design of St. Mark's Campanile in Venice. The collection contains over 370 relics and artifacts gathered during the 19th century to protect them from Napoleonic looting.
The view from the main square looking up at the facade and the bell tower provides the best perspective.
Visit the sacral collection annex, as it is separate from the main nave and requires a specific entry point.
Be prepared for a somber experience when viewing the incorrupt bodies in the lower display area.
Use the exterior plaza to view the bell tower's architectural details, which were modeled after Venice's St. Mark's.
Do not attempt to photograph the mummified remains, as photography is strictly prohibited inside the collection area.
The sacral collection may have limited access during off-season months; check local parish notices for mid-week closures.
Modest dress is required (shoulders and knees must be covered); silence is mandatory inside the exhibition area.
