Marezige is a picturesque village located in Slovenian Istria. Administratively, it belongs to the Municipality of Koper, which is one of the most divided Slovenian municipalities. The settlement lies above the Vanganelska valley and is about ten kilometers from Koper.
The settlement covers several hamlets on the ridge and slopes of the Marezgan ridge, between the valleys of the Rokava stream in the south and the Badasevica stream in the north. On the ridge, the village of Burja is exposed to the burja wind. On the northern slope are the hamlets of Brzani and Sabadini, and on the southern slope are Rokavci and Bernetici. Marezige has a rich historical past. In the second half of the 8th century, Istria passed from Byzantine to Frankish rule. Istrian cities have felt the influence of Venice since the 9th century, and after a long period of independence in 1279, they had to accept their rule, which lasted until the collapse of the republic in 1797. For a short time, the village belonged to Napoleon's France. At first they were part of the Kingdom of Italy, but from 1809 they were part of the Illyrian provinces. The municipality of Marezige was founded in August 1898 and at that time belonged to the Austrian littoral. A varied political and cultural life took place in the place. A loan company and a savings bank were established. After the First World War, Istria was annexed to Italy. The authorities persecuted the Slovenian population and closed Slovenian schools. In May 1921, the locals finally revolted and challenged the fascists. At the trial in 1923, the Italians sentenced many locals to several years in prison. Marezige rebellion belongs to the first forms of resistance against fascism. In memory of this event, the municipality of Koper celebrates a municipal holiday, and the elementary school in Marezige was named after Ivan Babic, who was the leader of the resistance. During the Second World War, a partisan school was founded in Marezige. In October 1943, the Germans burned the houses in the village and killed the hostages. The primary school was rebuilt in 1949. After the war, Marezige got electricity, they modernized the road and they got water from Rizana waterworks. The Monument to the National Liberation War and the pre-war victims of fascism is located in the center of village, opposite the seat of the local community, along the road Koper - Marezige. The design and arrangement project of the monument is the work of architect Teja Badjur. The monument stands on a stone-paved plateau. It is a tall square column made of white Istrian stone, which is finished with a red five-pointed star. It was erected in 1958. On the monument there is an inscription by the writer and poet France Bevk, part of which includes the text - We pay tribute to the comrades who fell in the first rebellion against the fascists in the Slovenian littoral and the freedom fighters in the National Liberation War. On the anniversaries of the Marezige rebellion, the traditional Refosk Festival has been held in the village since 1972.
The event grew from a Refoska exhibition into a great celebration of winegrowers and wine lovers. The event promotes wine culture, the quality of wines and the cultural and ethnological heritage of Istria. Marezige is also known for the first wine fountain for wine tasting in Istria.