Grobnišćina (the Grobnik region) has a turbulent history, armies, battles (the most famous of which was with the Tatars in 1242) alternated through the past times, and the roads that led various travellers through this area crossed.
Therefore, it is not surprising that prehistoric remains in localities such as the hill Cernički Vrh, which rises above one of the oldest settlements in this area, Cernik. Walking over Grobnik Field we will come across the remains of the Roman limes, which points us to the existence of the border of the formerRoman Empire.
Above Grobnik Field is the old town of Grobnik and the Frankopan Castle, the most preserved witness of ancient times, still in stone today, as if defying all adversity, but also closely watching what is happening at its foothills or at the sea in front of the Great and Small Gates, because the view stretches out all the way to Krk, Cres and the foot of Učka.
The old signatory of the Vinodol Law of 1288 is famous. The Frankopan family, who at one time owned the old fort, also left their mark, and also mentioned is the first transcript of the Bible in the Croatian language, ordered by Bernardine Frankopan of Grobnik and written by 5 friars in Grobnik’s scribe’s office.
In the town of Grobnik the visitor can also admire the Church of Sts Philip and James that has been standing here for 900 years and testifies to the early Christianity of these lands.
An unforgotten tradition
Thanks to historical records, the tradition of bell-ringing to protectthe landowners’ herds from wild beasts by ringing and noise was once performed by hired men, and today this tradition is maintained by Grobnik’s bell-ringers (“dondolaši”).
One of the biggest events, the Festival of Polenta and Cheese wasalso developed on tradition, and it takes us back to the memories of the former staple food, potato polenta, which was a substitute for bread that fed generations of Grobnik’s people. The salty sheep’s cheese of Grobnik, which has its tradition in the former main source of business, cattle breeding, has also not been forgotten.
