Kotli – A Timeless Watermill Hidden in an Istrian Canyon
Discover Kotli, a charming village on the Mirna River in Istria, where an old watermill rests beside turquoise pools in a narrow, scenic canyon.
Huddled away in the green hills of central Istria (Croatia), Kotli is a storybook village where time seems to slow down. Here, the Mirna River slips through a narrow limestone canyon, forming dreamy turquoise pools and natural stone basins—locally known as kotli. Above them, an old stone watermill clings to the edge, echoing the rhythms of a bygone era. Once a thriving mill village, Kotli is now a peaceful retreat beloved by hikers, photographers, and anyone chasing the charm of hidden Istria.
Grey Istria and the Mirna River
The Istrian Peninsula, a heart-shaped gem in Croatia just south of Trieste, is best known for its rugged Adriatic coastline—all coves, cliffs, and deep green hues. But venture inland, and you’ll discover another side of Istria: a landscape of rolling hills, vineyard-laced valleys, and medieval hilltop villages that seem plucked from a painting.
Read more about the Istra region in Croatia
This is where “Grey Istria” begins—named not for its skies, but for its clay-rich soil (flysch) that, unlike the porous karst of coastal areas, allows rivers to flow freely across the surface. Among them, the Mirna is the largest and most storied. Winding gently through this fertile heartland, the river nurtures hidden gems like the village of Kotli—one of the most enchanting spots not only along the Mirna, but in all of inland Istria.
Where Giants Rest – The Heritage of Kotli
In Kotli, the Mirna River doesn’t just flow—it tells stories. Here, water and stone intertwine, whispering of ancient trades and the rhythm of rural life. This is where Istria’s largest river meets the legacy of old water mills, shaping the land and echoing the lives once lived along its banks. Once the economic heart of the Hum region—known as Humština—Kotli was famed for its skilled millers and tailors. Though time has slowed, the spirit of the village remains.
The old watermill still stands, a testament to Kotli’s industrious past. Today, the village is a protected rural heritage site, its courtyards, arched passages, and unique chimneys frozen in quiet beauty. As the Mirna flows through, it carves smooth, cauldron-like hollows in the stone—kotli in Croatian—creating cascading waterfalls that gave the village its name and magical character.
Waterfalls of Kotli – Nature’s Carved Cauldrons
The village of Kotli is inseparable from the water that shapes it. As the Mirna River tumbles through the narrow gorge, it forms a series of small waterfalls and smooth, natural pools worn into the limestone. These rounded basins—shimmering with blue-green hues—are the kotli themselves, from which the village takes its name. In spring and after heavy rains, the waterfalls roar with life, cascading over rock ledges and filling the canyon with mist and music. In summer, they slow to a gentle trickle, inviting visitors to sit, dip their feet, or simply listen to the quiet murmur of time flowing by.
Kotli is also one of the highlights of Istria’s famous 7 Waterfalls Trail (Staza 7 slapova), a circular hiking route that follows the upper course of the Mirna River through untouched nature, past abandoned villages, deep forest, and—you guessed it—seven stunning waterfalls. Whether you arrive on foot from Buzet or drive directly into the village, Kotli is a perfect place to rest, explore, and marvel at how water has sculpted beauty into stone.
