Medulin

Medulin (Istria, Croatia) is a Mediterranean vacation spot that is highly ranked as a bathing resort. Visitors to the village of Medulin, which is located at the South end of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, find the countryside to be diverse with lush landscapes as well as beaches made for sun and swimming. The climate in Medulin is Mediterranean in nature and supplies mild winters that allow for year round tourism. All towns are easy to maneuver because most are connected in some way by train, bus or boat transportation to other major cities in the region. The Medulin (Istria, Croatia) area was riddled with bombs during World War II, but now is a thriving area with a population of over 2500 residents. Visitors to the area will find over 40 restaurants to dine in with great choices of local dishes made from seafood as well as the Brodetto festival that is held in August of every year. Medulin also offers outdoor activities that vacationers can participate in such as windsurfing, diving and canoes or motor boats for the water and tennis, football or beach volleyball on dry land. During the summer months musical concerts are often found as well.

Visnjan old town

Visnjan is small village located in the northwestern Croatia. It is famous primarily due to the observatory which is involved in ground breaking solar research. The town center is situated on top of a mound containing multiple small dwelling made up in distinctive Istrian style. The area forms a part of the major wine route where tourists stop to taste one of the best homemade wines and traditional cuisine.

History

The history of the town goes back nearly 2000 BC and evidence of the Celtic settlements are evident by poetry and other archeological artworks found throughout the region. The city was in fact surrounded by a wall until the mid eighteenth century where statue of a Venetian lion and an open book protected the main entrance to the town.

The Observatory Visnjan

Fame

The Visnjan observatory is the most significant attraction of the town. Built in 1933, it is credited with locating more than 1700 asteroids and 1400 minor planets. It is one of the most productive observatory in the world based on asteroids locating. Its premises are also used for educational programs on ecology, archaeology and other major sciences. Several workshops and science seminars offer advanced hand-on-training to young students from all over Croatia. There are plans to enlarge the existing telescope to further enhance its reach.

Groznjan

Groznjan is a small village in the region of Istria, Croatia. Very near the Italian border, more than half of its current residents are of Italian descent, and the language spoken here is a variation of a Venetian dialect.

Groznjan first appears in the history books in the 13th century as a Venetian holding. It changed hands between the Slavs and the Venetians in the ensuing centuries. It spent the majority of time under Venetian rule, however, and that provenance is visible today in the architecture, arts and food of the town. A turbulent 20th century brought unrest to Groznjan and it was under Italian and Nazi rule, before becoming part of Croatia in 1993.

This tiny village is famous all over the world for being the seat of the International Cultural Centre for Young Musicians. Music, dance and art courses are held here throughout the year. During the summer, concerts occur daily in picturesque venues in town. Additionally, an award winning Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks at the end of July each year.

With a reputation as an artist’s mecca, the town has plenty of art studios with one-of-a-kind wares for sale. Groznjan is a charming village to window shop, take in a musical performance or just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous countryside views.

Pazin

Pazin, a little known mecca with a population of less than 5300. Pazin is located in central Croatia, also known as central Istria. The area is known for its agriculture where farming, viniculture, textiles, plastic processing and working in the ornamental stones are the main occupations. A Pazin’s love of life is the same throughout the year in Pazin. Summer or fall will find people enjoying the surrounding area.

Pazin is well on it‘s way to becoming a favorite tourism site. In his novel “Mathias Sandorf,“ world renowned writer/novelist Jules Verne wrote of Pazin, his thousand year old castle and underground cave.

Pazin first mentioned in history in the year 983, soon became popularized after interest and subsequent purchase by Habsburg in 1374. The current town of Pazin was built around fort Kastel which has been a museum since WWII.

The Pazin Chasm evolved walls reach heights upwards of 100 meters and lakes as deep. Pazin tourist are enthralled with a wealth of history when visiting the surrounding area and central Pazin. Bike routes, walking routes, mountaineering, free climbing, fresh water fishing, caving adventures and riding are just a few of the many adventures offered when in Pazin.

Visit Pazin and delight in the historic mountain views and reminisce of a rich history.

Labin

Labin, Croatia is a quaint town situated just inland from Rabac its sister city. In fact, they are often considered one city, Labin-Rabac. Labin-Rabac’s architecture is largely medieval and well preserved. It was a crossroads between east and west and throughout history has been under the governance of the Roman Empire, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Langobards, Francs, Germans, and finally the Venetians. Labin-Rabac enjoyed economic growth under about 400 years of shrewd Venetian rule. Most of Labin’s the fine architecture comes from this time.
A great example of this is the old gothic Church of the Blessed Mary built in the 15th century. It can be found in old town Labin. Adorned with marble alters, paintings by various Venetian artists, and a 35 meter tall bell tower it is a symbol of the Christianization of the area under the Venetians.
Another must see is Tito’s Piazza nestled a top old town, it provides an unparalleled view of the town, and offers bars and restaurants where one can sample local cuisine. On the Rabac side, 5km away, one can find isolated romantic beaches which boast clear blue water and exquisite fresh seafood. Labin-Rabac is both an historical and romantic getaway which has not yet become a tourist trap.

Buzet

Buzet is a quiet little town with its own flavor, heritage and interesting things to do, especially if you visit when the truffles are in season. Buzet is located right in the heart of the Mirna valley in the Istrian interior. This is a quiet, lovely little town steeped in rich heritage and history. Buzet was once a part of the Venetian empire and as such much of the towns architecture holds reminders of the beauty of this empire. Most of the monuments date back to the 16th and 17th century.
The most interesting architectural building of this little town is the Church of St George, which was built in 1611, and well worth seeing if you happen to be in the area.
Buzet is also known as the “Truffle Capital” in the Istrian region, and the best time to go for the truffles is at the beginning of September, when the celebration of the Virgin Mary also takes place. Take part and sample the giant omelet filled with truffles that the townspeople prepare.

Umag

Umag is a small Croatian town located on a peninsula on the north western coast of Istria, Croatia’s gateway to Europe. Explore the medieval streets, browse at the waterfront shops, or just lay on the beach and soak in the sun.
Umag dates back to the 7th century, in Roman times, in which the history is still preserved to this day with the antique remains of Villa Rusticae which was built by the Romans. Since that time, Umag came under Byzantine governance, allegiance with Venice, was attacked by the Genovese, and later was conquered by Austria. Eventually Umag became a part of Italy, and finally, in 1997 Umag received the status of a Croatian town.
The old town part of Umag contains many cultural and historical sites, including St. Mary’s Church which was built in the 15th century, and the parish church, the Assumption of Virgin Mary and St. Peregrine, the patron of the city. Umag also has many seaside resorts and beaches where the traveler can sail, surf and water ski. Umag is famous for it’s 100 or so tennis courts, but more importantly, its internationally famed tennis tournaments on the ATP tour which has taken place every year since 1990.

Hum

Today there are only about 20 people living in Hum, the world’s smallest town. When you enter through the double city gates all the history of this city is placed on the space that is 100m long and 30m wide and surrounded with city walls. It has a medieval appearance, and most of the city was built in 11th century. The village is built in 3 parallel rows of houses that were connecting the city gates. The main city gate was built in 16th century and they are double. Passing them, you will get to the small square where you can find the city gallery. On the other side of a square there is a church of St. Mary that was built in 1802 and it has a sacristy and 5 altars. The Romanian church of St. Jeronim was built in 12th century and its walls are decorated with valuable frescoes. Don’t let the size of the city to fool you. Although the town is small, it has an unbelievably rich heritage.

Pula

Pula is the biggest city on the peninsula of Istria and it is placed at 44,52 Northern degrees and 13,51 Southern degrees. This town that originates from ancient times was built below and atop seven hills where prevails the pleasant Mediterranean climate. Pula has a rich historical heritage and many cultural monuments of which the most important is the greatest monument of antique culture in Croatia – the Roman arena in Pula. It used to be a scene of ruthless games and today is inevitable tourist spot and a place for concerts.

Arena in Pula

The tourism in Pula has developed in past 30 years and it has a great offer starting from cultural museums to the offer for those who are fans of night life. Pula also has beautiful beaches. The beach Verudela is mostly rocky and it is surrounded with pine forest and walks. The beach Banjole is partly rocky and partly pebbly and there you can find a lot of shade to hide from the sun under pine trees. Prementura is the beach at the very cape of Kamenjak and it is made of rocks that are shaped be waves. It is ideal place for nudists and all those who want peace.

Motovun

Motovun is a city separated from the rest of the world with tousent steps that lead to not only an old and preserved streets, squares and houses but also to the belvedere from which spreads a beautiful view on the wineyards and forests that takes a breath to his visitors. In this istrian pearl, last 10 years people from all over the world come on Motovun Film Festival during the summer so the name of this city is today known everywhere. Few years back, the city walls started to collapse but the money collected during the festival saved them.  But, even in winter this city doesn’t sleep. In October the city gates are opened for the occasion of the Days of Truffles for all fans of this expensive aphrodisiac mushrooms. Altogether, Motovun is one of the most visited touristic centers in Istria but also a center of fun and good times.