The church of Saint Martin (14th century) seated the Inquisition court for Istria. This can be seen from the inscription on the upper architrave at the entrance: ECCLESIA INQUISIT. ISTRIAE. Andrea Cinei was convicted here and was said to be guilty because he spread Lutheranism among the people of Vodnjan. The secular authority sentenced him to death. 

Those vicious times have inspired Fulvio Tomizza to write his novel "When God left the church" whose action takes place in this small town. Today one can see the wooden altar from the 12th century with the painting on wood of the Mother of God with the Baby and Saint Nicholas and Martin.