Discovering the Stories of Saint Peter in The Forest
13/10/2026
How can a small Istrian village tell its story through local flavours, traditions, cultural heritage and authentic experiences?
This was the central question of a successful local stakeholder meeting held on 12 October 2026 at the House of Sausages in Sveti Petar u Šumi, as part of the AltRoute – Alternative Tourism Paths project, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme 2021–2027.
The meeting brought together local stakeholders to exchange ideas and contribute to the development of a new tourism itinerary that will showcase the unique identity of Saint Peter in The Forest.
A Journey Through the Stories of Our Village
The aim is to create more than a traditional sightseeing route. The future itinerary will invite visitors to discover Saint Peter in The Forest through its stories, people, flavours and traditions, connecting cultural and natural heritage with authentic, hands-on experiences.
Imagine walking through a small Istrian village, discovering its historical landmarks, learning about centuries-old traditions, meeting local producers and tasting traditional products. Along the way, visitors could roll up their sleeves and experience local customs first-hand – from preparing homemade bread and traditional pasta to participating in creative workshops inspired by local knowledge and heritage.
Each stop along the route will become part of a wider story, revealing the character of the village and the traditions that have shaped its identity.
Local Knowledge as the Foundation of Sustainable Tourism
The stakeholder meeting generated numerous creative ideas and proposals, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in developing meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences.
The next step will be to bring these ideas together into a coherent and attractive itinerary, carefully connecting cultural landmarks, natural landscapes, local gastronomy, traditional crafts and interactive activities.
Special attention will be given to storytelling, allowing visitors not only to discover local heritage but also to understand the people, customs and values behind it.
By involving local producers, associations and other community stakeholders, the initiative also aims to create new opportunities for small businesses, strengthen the local economy and encourage the preservation and intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge.
Small Village, Unique Identity
Saint Peter in The Forest may be a small village, but its cultural heritage, strong eno-gastronomic traditions and authentic rural character offer great potential for the development of sustainable tourism.
Through the AltRoute project, the Municipality of Saint Peter in The Forest aims to transform these local assets into meaningful visitor experiences, encouraging slower, more responsible travel and a deeper connection between visitors and the local community.
The future itinerary will reflect the core values of the AltRoute project: sustainable tourism, community participation, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, and the promotion of lesser-known destinations.
The meeting marked an important step in this process. The ideas are now ready to be developed into a shared vision – a route that does not simply show visitors where to go, but tells them the story of a place worth discovering.
