Žminjis located in the heart of Istria, and its position is ideal for those who want to travel in the region. The importance and status fo traffic intersection Žminj has since the Iron Age because they were already roads leading to larger existing settlements, and these roads, with only small modifications, kept up to date. Therefore, if staying at Villa Damiani you will be just twenty kilometers away from famous destinations on the coast like the nearest Rovinj,
Bale, Poreč, Vrsar, Rabac, National Park of Brijuni, Rt Kamenjak in Premantura, Livade (Buzet). You have to drive only few hours to visit beauty of Kvarner – Opatija, or island of Cres and Krk, beautiful Plitvice Lakes, or even Venice and Trieste in Italy.

The historical remains confirm that, since prehistorically times there has been life on a strategic hill where Žminj is situated. According to the existing literature, there has been a considerably large settlement during the Bronze Age already, while the archaeological excavations indicate to the life and continuity of the town during the Middle Ages. Among other things, the remains of medieval walls today are embedded in the walls of houses and garden fences.

It is assumed that Slavs settled in the Žminj during the 7th century. Graves from the IX and X century evidence about their retention and settlement in Žminj, as well as that it has been one of their important villages.
From the half of the XII century Žminj was the part of the Pazin County. In those times it represented one of the most developed parts of county. Žminj was known and had reputation of trading place rich of agricultural products because of fields and orchards, rich with wine because of vineyards, but also rich with forest resources, although exploited by the Venetians. After the fall of Venetian Republic Žminj was under the rule of France, but also Austria.
At that time this town passed through an even bigger prosperity by building roads, opening schools and even more powerful development of trade and traffic. The history of Žminj is rich indeed, which is evidenced by monuments such as the parish church of St. Michael, the gothic chapel of the Holy Trinity, or early gothic Chapel of St. Anthony from the XIV century, but also with narration among generations which enabled stories, traditions or recipes to be continued in lives of future generations.
Throughout the history, this area is known for no wetlands, that is why it was spared from the disease that ravaged Istria. It was also know for a healthy climate, clean air, clean water and soil, which were kept until today.
In Žminj and it surroundings there are several restaurants and agritourisms that serve traditional dishes, istrian prosciutto, cheese, various dishes with truffles, olives and istrian wine like Malvasia and Teran. There are also several stores, a market with fruit and vegetable from farmers from the nearby villages, hairdresser, mechanic. Every other Wednesday there is a real village fair where you can buy everything, including the excellent Istrian wine, honey, olive oil ... There is also Bartulja, or Day of St. Bartholomew, the patron saint of Zminj, the largest folk festival in Istria, which is usually held on last Sunday in August, and visited by up to ten thousand people.