På väg in i staden Hum (där vi tror att det ska bli ensamt)

The world's smallest city - Hum in Croatia

Hum in Croatia is the smallest city in the world. We went to this small mountain village on the Istrian peninsula, where there is a street, a museum, a city wall and an old church. About 20 people live in the charming town of Hum, which also runs a cosy restaurant. Come to the world's smallest town Hum in Croatia!

Table of contents

Towards the world's smallest city

The medieval town of Hum is located in the north-west Istria in Croatia, between the town of Motovun and the holiday resort. Opatija. As we drive the last few kilometres towards Hum, that is, the road that runs between Roč and Hum, various stone formations begin to appear. These are large monuments with letters of the Glagolitic alphabet, the oldest known Slavic alphabet. Because 1000 years ago this was a Glagolitic avenue, connected to the village of Roč - fascinating!

Inhabitants of the world's smallest city

The town of Hum is home to just over 20 people (various sources indicate between 21 and 26 people). We expected to come to something very small and desolate, but as soon as we arrived we were directed on how to park between all the big tourist buses. Croatians know how to do business so to speak!

Världens minsta stad - Hum i Kroatien — Hum in Croatia - the smallest city in the world

The medieval town of Hum in Croatia

The first thing you see when you park is a high city wall, two large buildings and a tall bell tower. We walked up to the large city gate which is lined with copper, and decorated with twelve shields representing all twelve months of the year. As we passed the entrance, we could also see stone slabs with engravings in Glagolitic, the old Slavic language of Croatia.

Hum in Croatia is built from the old fortress Humski Kaštel, in the 12th century when Istria belonged to the great Frankish Empire. Margrave Ulrich I built many fortresses and one of them was Hum. Until the 17th century, Hum was referred to as 'castrum' (castle), but today it is the smallest town in the world.

Hum Istrien, världens minsta stad — Picturesque houses in Hum in Croatia

Church of St Jerome

Once inside the world's smallest city, you'll find the church of St Jerome and the chapel of Crkvica Svetog Jerolim, with frescoes (lime paintings) from the 12th century. Inside the church there are old wall writings in Glagolitic from the later 13th century. This is one of the oldest examples of Glagolitic literature.

A single street

Hum in Croatia has a single street of shiny stone. Around the town there are also massive city walls, which have been renovated in the last ten years. We walked around the houses where the few inhabitants live among roses and flowers in bright colours. Hum is really a picturesque little town and it feels peaceful and quiet, despite the presence of tourists. The highest monument in the town is the large bell tower built in 1552.

En av gatorna i Hum, världens minsta stad — The only tiny little street in Hum, Croatia and the smallest city in the world.

Museum in Hum

The world's smallest town of Hum in Croatia has a museum where you can find more of the early Glagolitic scripts. The interesting thing about these is that they are considered the earliest form of Croatian writing, and a precursor to today's Cyrillic. The script was brought to the region by missionaries, including the missionary Saint Cyril, who wanted to translate the Bible and make it more accessible to the common people.

Hum i Kroatien, världens minsta stad — The world's smallest city

READ MORE: National parks in Croatia - 8 lovely oases
READ MORE: Holidays in Dalmatia - 10 favourites on the Croatian coast

Specialities of Hum: Truffles and Humska Biska

The local restaurant, Humska Konoba, is run by the villagers and the region is full of truffles. Forests and olive groves are interspersed and the truffle fungus thrives here. Not far from Hum is the town of Buzet, also known as the "Truffle City".

The area is rich in truffles, and products such as olive oil or olive oil flavoured with truffles, own wine or marmalade. Hum's speciality is their homemade brandy, Humska Biska, which is created from a two thousand year old secret recipe with many herbs and mistletoe.

The world's smallest city

Hum, the smallest city in the world, is of course listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest city. Despite being very small, it is an interesting place to visit, a historical and cultural landmark.

Bergsbyn Motovun

We also visited the small mountain village of Motovun, which is about 40 minutes by car from Hum. When driving on the road, you suddenly see how the small mountain village rises on a high altitude.

Motovun is located inland in the northern part of Istria and is home to around 500 people. The village is famous for truffles and for the annual film festival that attracts several thousand tourists, actors and directors from all over the world.

If you come by car, you can drive all the way up. If you have a campervan, you can park at the bottom of the mountain and take a bus to the top. Up there you can wander around the cool old houses... and of course you can have a beer and a pizza while admiring the view. By the way, at the car park there is also a nice parking place for motorhomes, called Motovun Camping.

Bergsbyn Motovun - men vad gör den där gubben där vid väggen? — The mountain village of Motovun - but what is that old man on the wall doing?

En öl och en pizza, med utsikt från Motovun — A beer and a pizza, with a view from Motovun

See more around the world's smallest city

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia! Here are suggestions for some great places, not too far from Hum (or Motovun):

Opatija - Historic spa with turn-of-the-century charm
Porec - Holiday resort in Istria
Vrsar - Small town in Istria with big surprises

Facts about Hum - the world's smallest city

What country? Croatia
County? County of Istria
Language? Croatian (many also speak English)
Residents? About 23 people
Currency? Kuna (HRK)
Price point? Cheaper than Sweden
Time difference? None

Travelling to Hum

Car: We travelled from Porec by motorhome, which took just over an hour. From Opatija it takes just over 40 minutes, and from Zagreb about 2.5 hours.
Bus: There are bus services from many different cities in Croatia.

Restaurants in Hum

Humska Konoba is run by the few inhabitants and offers local specialities.

Accommodation in Hum

Hotels/rooms: We haven't stayed in Hum ourselves, but there should be rooms for rent both in and outside the city. Check Booking.com, for example.

READ MORE: Facts about Croatia - 30 things you (might) not have known

Helena

24 May 2016 7:01

Croatia

history, Motorhome holiday Croatia, culture

Helena

Administrator

27 Comments

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Cat's Considerations says:

Now I have learnt something new. I had never even heard of these places.

24 May 2016 - 7:12

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Mr Steve says:

What amazing places you find. There is a lot that is postcard beautiful in Croatia.

24 May 2016 - 7:28

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Goatfish says:

Thanks for the feedback on the places I've been to! 😀
You have managed to get some amazing pictures from there. Yes, I do free advertising 😉 because these gave me such great memories. Went on a truffle dog search too!
Who wants to join me in opening that little bottle of HUM that I bought and is sitting there in my cupboard? I don't...

24 May 2016 - 7:50

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Katta, Hum is such a small town so it might not be easy to have heard about, haha 😉 .

Steve, indeed! It's grateful to photograph in Croatia, so to speak 😉.

Geddfish, how fun that you have been here! And fun that you like the pictures 🙂 Truffle dog search we have heard others tell about too, sounds interesting! And the bottle with HUM...!? What fun, it is clear that you should find an opportunity to open it! (We may come to visit, haha ;))

24 May 2016 - 7:59

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Ama de casa says:

Bus up the mountain? There was no "Little Train" there? Too bad... 😉

Haha! I wonder what it takes to move to Hum? Suspect that they are not so happy to become more inhabitants... 😀.

24 May 2016 - 8:07

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Imelda says:

Nice that you also visited Hum. I remember the old ladies who sat outside their stone houses and looked so cute. Reminded me of my own grandmother, dressed in black with a shawl ? very good food we ate at the city's then at least the only restaurant. Lovely 80s...

24 May 2016 - 8:54

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snort says:

That city probably has its work cut out for it when it comes to the economic side of things. I myself had no idea it existed 😉.

24 May 2016 - 8:54

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Lennart says:

Croatia is really an exciting country!

24 May 2016 - 9:03

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Lena says:

Beautiful small towns and greenery!

24 May 2016 - 9:27

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Comsi Comsa says:

What a place and the cheekiest header image you have put in....

Hugs ♥

24 May 2016 - 9:50

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OnTrip.com says:

It looks absolutely fantastic. I've never heard of that place, thanks for the tip:-)

24 May 2016 - 10:35

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Role o Carina says:

So many beautiful things you get to experience!

Take care and enjoy.....

24 May 2016 - 10:40

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ama de casa, haha, we thought of the same thing. Other small towns usually want to move in, but hardly this one... 😉.

Imelda, at least we saw an old lady outside a house now too 🙂 And there was still only one restaurant (maybe not so only in such a small town, haha).

Znogge, haha...! We actually didn't have a clue about the city until we got tips from a few different places 😉.

Lennart, there is a lot to see!

Lena, there really are so many beautiful towns and villages. And it's incredibly green!

Comsi Comsa, glad you like the picture! 🙂

Ontripdk, there is a lot to see in Croatia!

Rolle o Carina, a packed and fun trip! 😉

24 May 2016 - 12:04

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Ditte says:

These are completely new places for me and we know that tourists seek out beautiful places.
Beautiful small towns and a very green and beautiful landscape.
Great pictures! And you won't be alone in any of these cities as it looks like.
What a cool trip you are doing and great fun to follow along via the blog.

24 May 2016 - 12:44

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Annika says:

That's nice. Like a fairy tale it is. Understand that it is not crowded there ðŸ™'
Enjoy your trip, but you are already doing that 😉.

24 May 2016 - 15:07

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Matts Torebring says:

Fantastic and what commitment in your posts and all the comments from Istria. (It is otherwise also) I really hope that you get pay for the effort. That you have worked hard, is not least noticeable on your trousers. (I hope you take it as a joke). I realise that the trip is coming to an end now. Even though we've been round there several times, I've got the blood in my veins again. I guess that's what you and the clients wanted. Thanks for all the great posts!

24 May 2016 - 19:26

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Anette says:

Unfortunately, we happened to drive past Hum.
Maybe the town was so small that we didn't see it. ?

24 May 2016 - 19:59

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Marina says:

Well, what more do you need than a church and a street?

24 May 2016 - 20:07

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Susjos says:

Wow so beautiful pictures, not least on the small mountain village! Have never been to Croatia, so thanks for letting me follow along via the blog!

24 May 2016 - 20:15

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BP says:

Totally agree with Steve! Now I even have an idea about Hum, so to speak.

You have certainly discovered some gems during your week in Istria. Is it you who chose the resorts or the Tourist Board?

24 May 2016 - 21:35

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ditte, oh wonderful to be able to show new places to you, you who are so well travelled! 😉 And nice to hear that you like to follow our journey on the blog! 🙂

Annika, yes indeed, it's a bit of a fairytale sometimes!

Matts, haha, well then you understand how hard we work when you see my trousers 😉 When it comes to pay for the effort, you can say that it is difficult to get rich on travel blogging, but you get rich on experiences! 🙂 (And the reason why we plan for adverts is that we actually need some income;))

Anette, it's not exactly big 😉 .

Marina, haha, right?

Susjos, what fun that you like our pictures and fun that you wanted to "follow along"! 🙂

BP, it is a bit different, and thus a combination. The tourist board picked Labin, Fazana, Vrsar and Porec for us. However, we went to Rovinj, Motovun and Hum on our own (after tips from either readers or people we talked to at the campsites).

24 May 2016 - 21:45

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Lanclin says:

I want to go to Croatia NOW! 🙂

25 May 2016 - 15:24

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Christine - 29°. says:

Cool places. You definitely get Croatia to climb on my list. 🙂

25 May 2016 - 16:00

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Steel city anna says:

What a cute little town! Fun to see.

28 May 2016 - 3:03

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Maria's Memoirs says:

Wow, is a wall, church, bell tower and street enough to be classified as a city? 🙂 Cool place anyway!

05 June 2016 - 12:38

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yes says:

I didn't even know what hum was but now I have learnt a lot.

23 April 2020 - 9:28

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fhdfkdh says:

I didn't know there was a town called Hum

16 October 2024 - 8:59

Reply

The world's smallest city - Hum in Croatia

Towards the world's smallest city

Inhabitants of the world's smallest city

The medieval town of Hum in Croatia

Church of St Jerome

A single street

Museum in Hum

Specialities of Hum: Truffles and Humska Biska

The world's smallest city

Bergsbyn Motovun

See more around the world's smallest city

Facts about Hum - the world's smallest city

Travelling to Hum

Restaurants in Hum

Accommodation in Hum

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27 Comments

Cat's Considerations says:

Mr Steve says:

Goatfish says:

admin says:

Ama de casa says:

Imelda says:

snort says:

Lennart says:

Lena says:

Comsi Comsa says:

OnTrip.com says:

Role o Carina says:

admin says:

Ditte says:

Annika says:

Matts Torebring says:

Anette says:

Marina says:

Susjos says:

BP says:

admin says:

Lanclin says:

Christine - 29°. says:

Steel city anna says:

Maria's Memoirs says:

yes says:

fhdfkdh says:

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