Owner - Mario Gašparini
Fabci 28, Fabci
Tel. 091/5561021
In Fabci, a hamlet situated 2 km from the county road Trieste – Pula, lives Mr. Mario Gašparini, who, since his early childhood, nurtured affection towards the Istrian ox «boskarin». His ancestors used to rear them in order to use them for farming, transport of water from the nearby source, and took them to fetch flour. The Istrian ox was a real treasure. As technology was developing, the number of oxen was decreasing, challenging the whole breed, so, one day, Mario Gašparini asked himself: «Is it possible for a machine to entirely replace this dear animal?».
Inspired by the wish to help prevent this breed from becoming extinct, he dedicated himself to rearing them. Not far from his family house, Mario enclosed with wooden fences and drystone walls an area measuring 5 acres, where the Istrian oxen can freely move around, without being chained. Their stables are situated in the vicinity and the oak woods and natural surroundings provide them with shade, as well as a feeling of freedom.
In his wish to show the oxen to the interested visitors, Mario prepared a twohour special programme. Visits are possible only during the morning hours, and only for organised groups and by appointment, telephone No.: 091/5561021 or 462-129. Mario greets his guests with «fritule», typical Istrian sweet pastry, and with «firewater», as an aperitif, for them he arranged a terrace with stone tables and wooden chairs. It has 50 seating places in total. From that position, the view points to the «arena», i.e., sink-hole fenced by the drystone walls, where 18 Istrian oxen are moving around: bulls, steers, cows and bullocks, as well as 20 donkeys.
Following a brief introduction to the history and «boskarins'» way of life, Mr. Mario Gašparini, offers his visitors a programme featuring two of his «boskarins». Since they are castrated, they are separated from the others and they are older and larger. Mario has particular affection for them, managing to establish a different relationship with them to the others. They obey him, follow his steps and voice, demonstrating their obedience upon hearing the words «oho», «ca», «šti», and, at his request, they cross their horns. It is possible for all interested to have their photographs taken with the oxen.
A particular attraction represents putting harness on those two «boskarins» and the visitors can sit on the cart and have a little ride along the idyllical surrounding landscape.
Price: 40.00 Kn per person in a group