Vatican City is counted among the smallest countries in the world. Its total population is 764 people, while its area is 44 hectares (108.7 acres). Most of the people know about this country, which is situated inside Rome city of Italy. But if you are asked which is the smallest city in the world, do you know its name? However, you will be surprised to know that this mountain town with a population of only 52 people may be the smallest in the world, but the reason for its fame is something else. The name of this city is Hum (HUM, Croatia), which is situated in Croatia. Nestled in the hills of Istria, this small town is just 100 meters long and 30 meters wide and consists of two charming stone streets and three stepped structures.
Let us tell you that the settlement of Hume city goes back even before the medieval period. Its first mention as “Cholam” is found in the inscriptions of the 12th century. At the same time, this city was built from the stones left over while settling the banks of Mirna river valley. For centuries, security related work was carried out in this city situated in the middle of battlefields. But later the situation changed and watch towers, bells and other things started being built there. Although the reason for its popularity is not only its small size or its ancient nature, but it is more popular because of a special brand of liquor, Bisca. According to reports, this mistletoe-infused fruit brandy is based on an ancient Celtic Druid recipe that is more than 2,000 years old.
Bisca is considered the world’s best-selling schnapps. Schnapps means liquor. Not only this, there is also an election of Prefet every year, who settles the disputes between people. Those who win in this are given the best Bisca liquor to drink. This ritual had stopped before 1977, but it was revived this year. This age-old ritual takes place on ‘Hume’ day in June, when men gather in the town hall to elect a prefect. They choose their choice by writing it on a wooden stick called ‘Rabos’.
FIRST PUBLISHED: December 23, 2024, 10:29 IST
