Outdoor Sculptures

The outdoor sculptures of Labin are best known through the Dubrova Sculpture Park, a large open-air gallery on the edge of the old hill town, in eastern Istria. Labin is a town with two characters: a medieval hill town of narrow lanes and Venetian houses, and a former coal-mining centre whose workers shaped its modern history. Art has been part of the town's identity for decades, and the sculpture park grew out of an international symposium that began in 1970, when artists from around the world were invited to carve stone in the open air. The founding figure was the sculptor Josip Diminić, a native of the area, who believed that art should be made in public, in the landscape, and shared with everyone.

The park covers many hectares of Mediterranean woodland, with oaks, pines, shrubs and meadows, and the sculptures stand in the open, among trees and rock. Most are carved in the pale local limestone known as Istrian stone, which is the same material that was used for Roman and Venetian buildings in the region, and the works range from abstract forms to figures, columns and architectural compositions. Because the stone ages and weathers in the open, the pieces change with time, gaining colour and texture from lichen, rain and sun. A path known as the White Road, or Bijela cesta, leads through the park, passing a series of sections designed by prominent Croatian artists, and each section approaches the relationship between art and landscape differently. The Dolac Amphitheatre, built into the hillside, hosts concerts, performances and cultural events throughout the year.

The symposium has continued for decades, and the park grows as new works are added, so each visit may show something different. It is open at all hours of the year, and admission is free, which makes it easy to visit at any time. Visitors can walk at their own pace, take photographs, sit and enjoy the quiet, and groups can arrange guided tours by appointment. Wear comfortable shoes, since the paths are natural, and bring water and a hat in summer. It is a good place for families, as children enjoy climbing around the larger forms, though they should be reminded to respect the works.

Labin has more to offer. The old town, with the Loggia, the Town Tower, the City Museum and the Stari trg square, is a short drive away, and the Mining Museum, with its model mine under the old town, tells the story of the coal industry. The Labin Coal Mine and its history are part of the identity of the area, and the resort of Rabac lies below.

The park suits art lovers, walkers, photographers and families. Allow one to two hours, and visit on a clear day.