Continuing from the periods of pre-antique, antique, medieval and modern urban culture, this research paper presents the existing urbanism of a portion of Istrian inland settlements and towns. It is assumed that even in pre-antique times, Istria had settlements that could meet basic urban principles in terms of their form, scope and function. Similarly, this also applied to their later development due to the changing economic and social needs of their inhabitants, all within specific formed heterogeneous communities. Towns like Grožnjan, Motovun, Oprtalj, Bale, Pazin, Žminj, etc., emerged as examples of the tradition of the so-called "urban climate." With some explored Istrian japad towns, it is possible to observe their current condition through the morphogenesis of the old town urban core as the initially established physical and social structure. In the presented examples, complete or partial monocentric dense structures are predominantly visible, sometimes additionally reinforced with perimeter extensions. Assuming a (non)planned mix between spontaneously shaped vs. created formations, today, despite all their limitations, these towns are attractive focal points of tourist demand and motivation for travel. Such former fortresses as tourist destinations and attractions open up a core of research concerning new developmental challenges as a paradigmatic pattern of identity survival in the changed circumstances of the 21st century.