People from Rovinj were coming to the main square to sell fish and crowd would gather in no time to buy fresh seafood. “Fish! Fish! Fish!” – the resounding sounds could be heard across the square. Jakov Zohil planted this old ladonja tree for a quarter litre of wine and a piece of bread.
However, during the Second World War, German occupation authorities proclaimed that anyone who gives them fifty eggs can cut down the ladonja tree. This was a tempting offer since the tree would provide great amount of firewood. When Jakov Zohil, grandson of the eponymous gentleman who planted the tree, found out about it, he visited many Žminj homes in several days, begging the local people to spare the old tree. This was a life-threatening act, directly opposing authorities’ decision. Ladonja was spared because people understood that whoever cut down the tree its decision would be frowned upon.
Even today, in the 21st century, old ladonja’s branches provide shade and a calm place for numerous conversations.