Tiny Beram is a little more than 5.6km (3 1/2 miles) west of Pazin. It's a one-street town with a nice church, but this isn't the church you're looking for. When you get to Beram, ask anyone in town to help you get in touch with the woman who has the key to St. Mary's where the famous frescoes reside. (Two women alternate key possession weekly and don't give out their phone numbers.) The townspeople will call her for you and let you know that you will have to drive her to the church and back to town, which is 1.2km ( 3/4 mile) northwest of the town limits. St. Mary's, a tiny, Gothic-style building in the forest, contains 15th-century frescoes stunning in their brightness and detail. There you will find the walls covered with scenes from the New Testament created by Croatian artist Vincent de Kastav. The main attraction is the almost cartoonish "Dance of the Dead" with skeletons carrying scythes and blowing horns as they lead townspeople to the netherworld. The original, though much older, is far more vibrant than the copy in the Church of St. Germaine on Veliki Brijuni. Explanations are printed in various languages, including English, though your guide probably will speak Croatian only.
Tip: Your guide will tell you that three flash photos total are allowed per visit, so if you are with a large group, this could be a problem. There is no entry charge, but it is customary to offer the woman a gratuity for her time.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
