GRUBLA FEST: The first Hillfort Festival was a hit with visitors!

30.05.2025

Between 30 May and 1 June 2025, the inaugural edition of Grubla Fest — the festival of castellieri (hillforts) — was held in the Rosandra Valley (Dolina Glinščice) and surrounding areas, as part of the cross-border KAŠTellieri project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia programme. The festival, with its rich and varied programme, attracted numerous visitors who eagerly took part in all the activities.

The event commenced on Friday evening at the Rosandra Valley Visitor Centre with an official opening, including welcoming speeches and a presentation of the project. This was followed by a screening of the documentary “Hema – The Story of the Hillforts”, which was attended by approximately 30 guests. The evening was made especially significant by the presence of the film’s director, Francesca Mucignato, who shared insights into the making of the film and her perspective on the hillfort heritage. The film provided viewers with an engaging account of the importance and history of prehistoric settlements that mark the cross-border Karst and Istria regions.

On Saturday morning, visitors had the opportunity to participate in ceramic workshops organised by the I Girasoli cooperative. Two sessions were held, allowing more people to join in. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, participants crafted prehistoric-style cups and pots inspired by archaeological finds from the hillfort period. They were assisted by members of the I Girasoli cooperative, who enthusiastically guided the participants and contributed greatly to the enriching experience.

In the afternoon, the Grubla Trail — the first run between hillforts — took place, starting from Hribenca Park near Zabrežec. Participants could choose between two routes: 6 km (300 m ascent) and 15 km (800 m ascent). The trails were bustling with walkers and runners of all ages, who praised the organisation, the natural environment, and the unique combination of sport, history, and landscape. Approximately 300 people took part.

On Sunday morning, the festival concluded with a guided walk to the hillfort at Mali Kras, setting off from Prebeneg. Around 40 people joined the hike, which combined outdoor exercise with insightful interpretation of the archaeological and historical heritage. The presence of hillfort expert Maša Saccara from ZRS added further value to the event.

Grubla Fest demonstrated that well-conceived cultural events can stimulate interest in heritage while supporting sustainable and inclusive tourism. The event successfully contributed to the aims of the KAŠTellieri project: preserving, interpreting and promoting prehistoric hillforts as a vital element of shared cross-border identity.