Southern Istria, bathed in the summer sun and permeated with the scents of the Mediterranean, this Wednesday becomes the stage for a unique musical experience. In the heart of picturesque Galižana, a place of rich history and tradition, an exceptional jazz concert will be held, combining top-notch musical art with the spirit of times past. The Vodnjan Tourist Board, after an exceptionally successful musical evening in the unique ambiance of the Kažun Park, continues its mission of enriching the cultural offer, inviting all lovers of refined notes to gather under the starry sky this Wednesday, July 24, 2025, starting at 9 p.m. . The event will take place in the acoustically and visually impressive courtyard of the ancient Church of St. Justus, creating an atmosphere that promises an evening to remember.

This musical event is not just a concert; it is a journey through time, where contemporary jazz expression meets stone witnesses of centuries-old history, providing the audience with a rare opportunity for a deep emotional and aesthetic experience.

Top jazz virtuosos under the Galižana sky

The audience will be led through the evening by a renowned quartet of musicians, whose names are synonymous with quality on the domestic jazz scene. On the drums will be Sebastian Stell , a musician known for his rhythmic precision and creativity, whose diploma thesis on jazz was transformed into the concert "Chats from the Diploma". He will be joined on the trumpet by maestro Branko Sterpin , a musician from Pula with a degree from the prestigious jazz academy in Graz. Sterpin is a respected member of the HRT Jazz Orchestra and the leader of the Big Band Pula, and his collaborations with numerous jazz greats have left an indelible mark. The rhythm section will be completed by Srđan Kuzmanović on the double bass, a musician whose stability and musicality are the foundation of many ensembles, while Leon Brenko will be at the keyboards. Brenko is the winner of the Status award for the best pop keyboardist, but his true love is jazz – a musical freedom that he skillfully pours into his original projects and collaborations, some of which have been crowned with the Porin award.

This well-rehearsed ensemble will perform carefully selected jazz standards, adapted for a wider audience and a summer, relaxed atmosphere. Their program is designed to satisfy both true jazz connoisseurs and those who are just discovering the beauty of this musical genre, guaranteeing an evening filled with elegance and top-notch improvisation.

Galižana – a hidden gem of the Istrian interior

The concert is also a perfect opportunity to discover Galižana, a place whose roots go deep into prehistory and Roman times. Known by its Latin name Gallicianum, Galižana has been an important center over the centuries under the administration of the Pula bishops and the Aquileian patriarchs. What makes it special is the preservation of the old Istriot, or Galižan dialect, one of the oldest Romance idioms in this area. a walk through its streets reveals a rich architectural heritage, from the monumental Giocondo-Petris palace to numerous sacred buildings that testify to its importance. For all those who want to delve deeper into the charms of this region and explore everything that Galižana, accommodation has to offer, it can be found in the immediate vicinity, providing an ideal starting point for discovering the hidden corners of the Vodnjan area. The surroundings of Galižana are known for olive groves and vineyards, and its gastronomic offer is based on indigenous ingredients and traditional recipes.

Church of St. Justus: a stone backdrop with a millennial soul

The location gives a special dimension to the concert – the courtyard of the Church of St. Justus. This three-aisled Romanesque basilica, probably built in the 12th or 13th century on the foundations of an even older early Christian building, is a true masterpiece of sacred architecture. Until 1634, it served as a parish church, and today, located next to the local cemetery, it preserves the silence and tranquility of bygone times. The remains of tombstones of former inhabitants are still visible in the stone, silent witnesses to the life that took place within and around its walls.

The interior of the church, which is one meter lower than the road level but on the same level as the courtyard, will give concert visitors the opportunity to peek into an authentic Romanesque space. The raised sanctuary, the variety of capitals and columns that divide the naves, and the magnificent baroque altar dedicated to St. Justus, the patron saint of Trieste, create a unique atmosphere. Many visitors and art historians compare the spiritual charge of this space with that in the famous church of St. Fosca in nearby Batvači, emphasizing the peace and mysticism that permeates every stone. It is precisely this combination of sacred architecture and the natural environment that will serve as a perfect, naturally acoustic hall for the jazz quartet.

Summer cultural symphony organized by the Vodnjan Tourist Board

This event is part of the rich and carefully designed program "Vodnjan Summer," with which the Vodnjan Tourist Board seeks to position the entire area as an unmissable cultural destination. The concert in Galižana is a logical continuation of the successful jazz evening held in the Kažun Park. The Kažun Park, a unique open-air museum dedicated to traditional Istrian dry-stone shelters, proved to be an extraordinary stage, and the combination of music and heritage is a formula that attracts both domestic and foreign audiences. The "Vodnjan Summer" program also includes numerous other events, from traditional folk festivals like Galižana Night to classical music concerts, plays, and film screenings, confirming the strategic commitment to high-quality cultural tourism. If you plan to extend your stay and experience everything this part of Istria has to offer, explore the options for accommodation in Galižana and its surroundings.

All visitors can rest assured as admission to this musical spectacle is completely free . The organizers have also taken care of practical details, providing enough parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, near the Galižana cemetery. The Vodnjan Tourist Board extends a cordial invitation to all lovers of music, history, and authentic Istrian experiences to join them and be part of another unforgettable summer story written in the notes of jazz among centuries-old walls under the starry sky.