Cerovlje is both a village and the surrounding municipality ; it is at the centre of the northern boundary of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Many ancient towns and decayed castles can be found in its territory. Almost every town or castle in Cerovlje is on top of a hill, from where they could see enemies from a farther distance. During the Middle Ages (under the reign of the Holy Roman Empire), the people of Cerovlje also built many churches.