Inside the World's Smallest Town With Just Two Streets That Attracts Crowds of Tourists
If you're weary of skyscrapers, never-ending traffic, and crowds, we invite you to one of the most extraordinary settlements in the world. Nestled amidst the hills of the Istria region in Croatia, Hum is known as the 'smallest town in the world,' a title that has even made its way into the Guinness Book of Records. This historic town, with a total length of just 100 meters and a width of 30 meters, boasts only two streets.
According to local Istrian legends, Hum was not constructed through ordinary means.
According to the tale, giants had a few stones left over when they were constructing the other hilltop towns in the region. Unwilling to waste these remaining materials, the giants piled them up, creating this small hilltop town, encircled by walls.
Setting aside the legends, the official history of Hum dates back to 1102. Despite its diminutive size, this settlement, with its perfectly preserved medieval urban structure, has proudly maintained its status as a 'town/city' for centuries.
According to the latest official census, the number of inhabitants in the town barely exceeds a hundred.
With such a sparse population, the town's governance has morphed into a rather intriguing tradition. Each year in October, the local populace convenes and carves notches into a wooden stick, symbolically electing a mayor for the day.
The streets of the town of Hum, which seems as if it has sprung straight out of a fairy tale, consist of two cobblestone alleyways and a single entrance gate.
Nestled within the town walls, this diminutive area houses 20 ancient stone buildings, featuring structures that defy its small size:
Two historic churches (the Church of Saint Jerome, renowned for its 12th-century frescoes, and the Church of the Assumption of Mary, constructed in 1802)
A historical museum and a cemetery
A 'konoba' (a local tavern) serving local delicacies.
Hum, also known as the "City of Biska," is recognized.
The town is the birthplace of Biska, a traditional Istrian herbal brandy prepared with mistletoe, whose recipe dates back 2000 years. Surrounded by green hills and quality vineyards, tourists visiting the town never return without tasting this historic beverage. Moreover, the town is the final stop of the 7-kilometer historical 'Glagolitic Alley' trail, where massive stone monuments celebrating the Glagolitic alphabet, the oldest known Slavonic script, are located.
This hidden paradise in Croatia, which hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, is a favorite among day-trippers. Warmly welcomed by the town's friendly locals, tourists leave glowing reviews online. One visitor describes Hum as 'the world's most enchanting small place for a quiet coffee, with splendid views, where you'll never tire of walking.'
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