Exhibition “The Churches of Bale” Opens in Bale
Bale-Valle, 22 August 2026 – A photography exhibition titled “The Churches of Bale / Le Chiese de Valle”, by Siegfried Schwarz and Luka Jereb, opened on Saturday at MMC “Ulika” in Bale. The exhibition presents approximately 28 churches and chapels in Bale and the surrounding area, from sacred buildings within the settlement to those located in the surrounding landscape.
Siegfried Schwarz has been photographing and documenting churches and chapels across the Istrian peninsula for many years, with his project covering approximately one thousand sacred buildings. His collaboration with Luka Jereb, a resident of Bale and author of projects dedicated to local heritage, led to a separate project focusing on the churches and chapels of Bale.
“Bale has a rich heritage that is part of everyday life in the town. Projects like this give us an opportunity to look at it again, document it and bring it closer to both residents and visitors,” said Sandi Drandić, Director of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Bale.
Andrea Modrušan, Mayor of the Municipality of Bale, highlighted the importance of documenting and preserving this heritage: “Sacred heritage is an important part of Bale’s identity. It is important to preserve and present the traces of the past that are part of our landscape.”
The opening was also attended by parish priest Joško Listeš, who donated to the Tourist Board a depiction of the three-day processions that were once held in Bale and connected the churches presented in the exhibition. The document bears witness to the connection between sacred spaces and the life of the local community throughout history.
From Book to Exhibition
The exhibition grew out of a broader project documenting the sacred heritage of Bale, centred around a book containing photographs and information about the town’s churches and chapels. The book is also available in a digital edition. The exhibition at MMC “Ulika” was created from the material presented in the book, together with a small printed catalogue containing information about the locations featured. The texts about the churches were taken from available sources of the Municipality of Bale, while the texts about the saints were prepared by Luka Jereb.
“The idea was to document the churches and chapels that form part of the Bale area, including those that may be noticed less often. The book was the foundation of the project, while the exhibition provides an opportunity to present part of this material in Bale,” the authors explained.
The project brings together photographic documentation, history and the landscape of Bale. It also has a particular significance because the authors have decided to donate the exhibition to the Parish of Bale. The exhibition will remain open until 18 September 2026 at MMC “Ulika”, after which it will be moved to the lapidarium of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where it will remain accessible to the public.
EXHIBITION “THE CHURCHES OF BALE”
Authors: Siegfried Schwarz and Luka Jereb
Location: MMC “Ulika”, Bale
Open: until 18 September 2026
After the exhibition: Lapidarium of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Digital book: The Churches of Bale / Le Chiese de Valle
