The Botanical Pillar

Plants have always been a food, a medicine, an inspiration for creativity, an accompaniment to rituals. We present you key plants that were already known to the people at the time of the hill forts and can still be collected today.

Explore the botanical world we offer through:

• Bakan, B., Vitasović Kosić, I., Fištravec, G., Kaligarič, M. (2021). Uporabne rastline od Krasa do Kvarnerja:priročnik za prepoznavanje divjih rastlin s poudarkom na njihovi uporabnosti. Maribor: Univerzitetna založba. doi:10.18690/978-961-286-445-3
• web and mobile app along shorter and longer botanical trails around Štanjel - Volčji Grad (Karst), Korte (Slovenian part of Istria), Rašpor (Čičarija) and Ozida - Mošćenička Draga (Croatian part of Istria). (See: https://map.kastelir.eu
• Plant Harvesting Code

Pollen, remains in dishes, layers, on hearths and knowledge about the use of wild-growing species that thrived before the establishment of the hill forts tell us about the importance of plants from the period hill forts. Initially, interest in plants was associated with food gathering. Soon people realized that some plants are inedible raw, however, overcooked, dried or otherwise processed become completely edible and delicious. Later, they discovered their healing effects and began to use them for healing and spiritual purposes. By cultivating the fields and preparing the gardens, some plants began to be grown. The gardens were becoming a sacred space. Knowledge of plants was passed down from generation to generation, and eventually people who had more knowledge about herbs and wild plants became famous. But what about today? How to get to know and use these wild edible plants?

Explore, observe, smell, enjoy nature! Peoples in the pre-community acquired the necessary knowledge through animal observation, experimentation and tasting. They indulged in the richness of nature and creative energy.

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