In September, before we gave up our rental car, we took a ride to the coast and ended up in Rovinj, about a three hour drive for us. It was our second trip to the coast, but our first to the Istrian Peninsula. (Also see previous post We have company)
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| Old Town, Rovinj - September 2013 - CC The limited space governed the construction of narrow houses, narrow streets and small squares. On the seaside, the town is protected by a high rocky shore and house walls built on cliffs, while the mainland side is protected by solid walls. |
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| Still active fishing port -Rovinj September 2013 - CC |
We walked all around town. It has some amazing artist and fun shops. Everywhere you looked - on the water front, in the allies, pier, up & down stairs... if fact almost all the doors in these photos are some sort of shop, cafe or restaurant; packed full.
As you can see - packed in!
We picked a lunch spot right on the pier, which is not hard, lots to pick from.
I tried a fish soup, (not very good:( Tom stuck with pasta, always a winner in a place that once belonged to Italy and still it's neighbor.
Have I mention before the ice cream here in Croatia is superb? Sort of in between gelato and regular ice cream. So while walking around, we had to have one -
yummy! way creamy and wicked good!!
Then of course just before hitting the road, we had to sit at an outside cafe for cappuccino. (You got to love the coffee culture!)
I tried a fish soup, (not very good:( Tom stuck with pasta, always a winner in a place that once belonged to Italy and still it's neighbor.
Have I mention before the ice cream here in Croatia is superb? Sort of in between gelato and regular ice cream. So while walking around, we had to have one -
yummy! way creamy and wicked good!!
Then of course just before hitting the road, we had to sit at an outside cafe for cappuccino. (You got to love the coffee culture!)
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| Narrow is the way! - Rovinj Croatia September 2013 - CC |
*Old Town used to be an island secured by medieval walls.
In 1763 it was connected with the mainland by filling in the channel.
In 1763 it was connected with the mainland by filling in the channel.
Three of the seven city gates have been preserved to this day.
The first archeological traces of life date back to the Bronze Age,
and the old city started developing in the 3rd century.
The first archeological traces of life date back to the Bronze Age,
and the old city started developing in the 3rd century.
The largest monument in the city, the Church of St. Euphemia is a Venetian Baroque building restored between the 1725 and 1736. The bell tower, (seen in top photo) is a replica of the Church of St. Mark in Venice, construction started in 1651 and lasted 26 years. On top of the tower there is a large copper statue of St. Euphemia that was set in 1758 after the wooden statue was destroyed by a thunder.
My sister-in-law, DeeeDeeee, mentioned Coastal Living magazine did an article on Rovinj in last months issue. We can't get that here, so I couldn't read it, but if you are asking me, definitely worth a visit ... Oh and a great place for a honeymoon ... if anyone is looking.
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Steps lead to allies, shops & water - Rovinj, Croatia, September 2013 - CC*History:
Rovinj was already a settlement of Illyrian tribes before being captured by the Romans.
It became part of the Byzantine empire, then in the sixth century part of the Exarchate of Ravenna and in 788 part of the Frankish empire
Then it came under the rule of different feudal lords for several centuries.
From 1209 it was ruled by the Aquileian patriarch.
From 1283 to 1797 Rovinj was under the Republic of Venice. The city was fortified by two rows of walls with three town gates. The remaining town walls date from this period. Close to the pier one can find the old town gate Balbi's Arch, dating from 1680, and a late-Renaissance clock tower.
The city got its statutes in 1531.
After the fall of Venice and the Napoleonic interlude, Rovinj was part of the Austrian Empire until World War I.
Then it belonged to Italy from 1918 to 1947, when it was ceded to SR Croatia within SFR Yugoslavia.
Following Croatia's independence in 1991, the town became one of the most important centers of Istria County.
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| Enjoying our September day trip to Rovinj - t&cC |
My sister-in-law, DeeeDeeee, mentioned Coastal Living magazine did an article on Rovinj in last months issue. We can't get that here, so I couldn't read it, but if you are asking me, definitely worth a visit ... Oh and a great place for a honeymoon ... if anyone is looking.
* some information taken from and more info at :
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